Welcome, GATE parents! Amy Cochren Language Arts 7 GATE Coordinator

My Hero Project After School Program with Wendy Milette After School Program with Wendy Milette Research of a personal hero Research of a personal hero Learn video production skills Learn video production skills Creation of hero video Creation of hero video Visit Visit Tuesdays after school Tuesdays after school

California Association for the Gifted Quarterly publication Quarterly publication Professional Development for educators Professional Development for educators Support for parents of gifted Support for parents of gifted 47 th annual convention for teachers and parents in March. Visit the link for more information: or link on GATE blog 47 th annual convention for teachers and parents in March. Visit the link for more information: or link on GATE blogwww.cagifed.org

Middle School vs. Elementary Elective Choice Elective Choice Six to Seven different teachers/classes a day Six to Seven different teachers/classes a day Clubs Clubs Competitions Competitions PAL organization PAL organization Leadership Class Leadership Class

Cluster Grouping Math and Language Arts Math and Language Arts Opportunity to work more closely with Opportunity to work more closely with other GATE students and a GATE teacher other GATE students and a GATE teacher Differentiation in teaching and learning Differentiation in teaching and learning strategies strategies

Differentiation Acceleration Acceleration Depth Depth Novelty Novelty Increased Complexity Increased Complexity

Students forget to share: 1) My teacher offered choices on an assessment 2) My teacher varied his/her questioning strategies because I was in a GATE cluster 3) My group was given a more complex task in a classroom activity today. 4) My teacher is able to add depth or complexity to our lessons as a result of having a cluster of GATE students in the class. lessons as a result of having a cluster of GATE students in the class. 5) My teacher offered choices on an assignment, test, or project so that I could go “Above and Beyond”.

GATE Teachers are trained in : Questioning techniques Questioning techniques Assessment strategies Assessment strategies Creation of tiered assignments Creation of tiered assignments Curriculum compacting Curriculum compacting Individualizing projects Individualizing projects Facilitating the development of leadership within the classroom Facilitating the development of leadership within the classroom

GATE Teachers Are Asked To: Recognize and nurture behaviors of gifted Recognize and nurture behaviors of gifted Create conditions in which all students are stretched to learn Create conditions in which all students are stretched to learn Provide grouping opportunities for gifted students to work within clusters Provide grouping opportunities for gifted students to work within clusters Be flexible in their teaching style and comfortable in allowing kids more flexibility in their learning behaviors Be flexible in their teaching style and comfortable in allowing kids more flexibility in their learning behaviors

Characteristics of GATE students A strong sense of justice A strong sense of justice Insatiable curiosity Insatiable curiosity Strong problem-solving ability Strong problem-solving ability Keen sense of humor Keen sense of humor Demonstration of intense emotional or physical sensitivity Demonstration of intense emotional or physical sensitivity Rapid learning without repetition Rapid learning without repetition Possesses a large store of information about a variety of subjects Possesses a large store of information about a variety of subjects Desire to question authority Desire to question authority Perfectionism Perfectionism Global awareness Global awareness Passionate in interest areas Passionate in interest areas

Math Acceleration Summer testing for incoming 5 th grade Summer testing for incoming 5 th grade Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Algebra Algebra Geometry Geometry Cluster grouping Cluster grouping

Language Arts Pre and post testing Pre and post testing Vocabulary Power Enrichment Vocabulary Power Enrichment Scripps Spelling Bee Enrichment Scripps Spelling Bee Enrichment Independent Reading Choice and Recommendations Independent Reading Choice and Recommendations Development of Insight with Response to Literature Development of Insight with Response to Literature Advancement in writing Advancement in writing

Electives Sixth Grade Wheel Sixth Grade Wheel Foreign Language Foreign Language Drama Drama Multi-Media Multi-Media Year Book Year Book Leadership Leadership Art Art Choir and Instrumental Music Choir and Instrumental Music Home Economics Home Economics

School Power Grants Technology in the Classroom Technology in the Classroom My Access! My Access! Computers on Wheels Computers on Wheels Zero Period Zero Period Individual Teacher Grants Individual Teacher Grants Renaissance Faire Renaissance Faire

Clubs: See Thurston Homepage Spanish and French Spanish and French Geography Geography Science Olympiad Science Olympiad Spelling Bee Spelling Bee Vocabulary Power Vocabulary Power Shakespeare Club Shakespeare Club Anime Club Anime Club

Clubs: continued Weightlifting Weightlifting Running Running Soroptomist Soroptomist Chess Chess Buddy Club Buddy Club Broadway Club Broadway Club Math Stars Math Stars

Three D’s to Succeed: Dedication Dedication Desire Desire Discipline Discipline

GATE Student Involvement Student Choice Student Choice Development of Interests Development of Interests Promotion of Strengths Promotion of Strengths Development of Weaknesses: find a challenge area whether it is in work ethic, communication, responsibility, involvement on campus, leadership, etc Development of Weaknesses: find a challenge area whether it is in work ethic, communication, responsibility, involvement on campus, leadership, etc

Communication Thurston Homepage and GATE blog Thurston Homepage and GATE blog Aeries and Progress Reports Aeries and Progress Reports GATE Newsletters (mailed home) GATE Newsletters (mailed home) teachers for requests teachers for requests

Individual Learning Plans Sixth Grade: complete ILP form and return to Ms. Schaeffer or Ms. Cochren Sixth Grade: complete ILP form and return to Ms. Schaeffer or Ms. Cochren Seventh Grade: during class with Mrs. C Seventh Grade: during class with Mrs. C Eighth Grade: end of the year with counselors Eighth Grade: end of the year with counselors Don’t be afraid to communicate with us if Don’t be afraid to communicate with us if your child needs a more thorough plan! your child needs a more thorough plan!

Math Stars Coach Needed Parent coach Parent coach Sixth and Seventh grade students Sixth and Seventh grade students Once a week for several months Once a week for several months Competition in the spring Competition in the spring Materials are available Materials are available