The “Creekside Kids” Team C U R R I C U L U M N I G H T September 8, 2014 HAG Vision Statement The aim of the Highly Academically Gifted Program is to develop future leaders who have the intellectual skills, attitudes, and character traits needed to meet the challenges of a complex, rapidly changing world. HAG Mission Statement Instructors will create a rigorous academic environment that provides numerous and varied interdisciplinary learning challenges utilizing the following instructional strategies: differentiation, shared inquiry, acceleration, enrichment, technology, and reflection.

5th Grade Expectations for All Greater maturity in all areas – academic, behavior, work/study skills & habits Increased independence in doing assignments, organizing tasks, etc. Using the Student Planner to keep track of assignments Responsibility for Tuesday packet communications Cursive handwriting on some work Proofreading to correct writing mechanics (capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar) Heading a paper (name, date, subject, assignment) and organizing work with problem numbers Studying for tests, quizzes, and reviewing nightly in all subjects

HAG Expectations HAG Expectations include all regular 5th grade expectations, PLUS: Advanced content, skills, concepts Accelerated pace & greater complexity Developing advanced information and communication skills Learning to cope with challenge; developing effective work habits, asking questions, etc.

Academically Gifted Student Progress Report Purpose – Provide insight on the goals, strengths, and areas for growth for each child Goals / Objective Area – Risk-taking Creative and critical thinking Problem Solving Time Management Motivation & Self-Discipline Task Commitment Interpersonal Relationships Reflective Thinking Speaking and Listening Two times during the school year – Fall and Spring

Math Topics include: The Number System Algebraic Expressions Equations, Inequalities, & Applications Rate & Ratio Area, Volume, & Application Statistics & Distributions Rational Numbers Geometry Probability Percent Superstars, 24 Challenge, … and more!

Literature Works that may be read: A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park The View from Saturday, by E.L. Konigsburg A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L’Engle Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien The Cay, by Theodore Taylor The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes Wonder, by R.J. Palacio Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine Drizzle, by Kathleen Van Cleve Bull Run, by Paul Fleischman The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis and others…

Social Studies Units include: Native Americans & Explorers of North America Colonial America American Revolution & U.S. Government The Growing Nation The Civil War Reconstruction Economics, Geography, Culture, and Civics & Government taught within historical contexts. Financial Literacy 2nd semester

Science Topics include: Earth Systems, Structures and Processes Matter: Properties and Change Energy: Conservation and Transfer Ecosystems Forces and Motion Evolution and Genetics Structures and Functions of Living Organisms ExploraVision, Engineering is Elementary Kits, Science Fair, and RiverXchange will be a part of Science this year.

Language Arts Topics include: Note-taking Summarizing Presenting Narrative Composition Expository Composition Persuasive Composition Poetry Writing Mechanics, Cursive Grammar Greek & Latin Roots Language Arts (roadmaps)

Technology Possible tools include: Livebinders Edmodo Glogster Word Technology will be integrated throughout the curriculum. Possible tools include: Livebinders Edmodo Glogster Word PowerPoint Excel Museum Box Prezi Flip Charts Wikis & Blogs … and a wide variety of education search engines and databases User safety, as well as ethical and scholarly use, will be emphasized. Teacher web pages, Technology class

Homework Homework Policy #6154 adopted October 2009 explains the purpose, characteristics, guidelines, and completion time schedules. Average Time Estimate, excluding reading: Elementary gr. 5: 45-75 minutes daily Middle Schools gr. 6-8: 45-90 minutes daily

Other Information Arrival 8:00 (morning work) Dismissal 2:45 (send notes) Power School Make-up Tests (Wednesdays) Tuesday Packets Family Life (Spring) Field Trips (Trinity Center December 8 - 10, 2014; others under discussion)

Visit the website at www.wsfcsvolunteers.com. All Volunteers must submit an online registration form. Previously approved Level 2 volunteers, will need to login, update, and re-submit. Visit the website at www.wsfcsvolunteers.com. New Volunteers and Level 1 Volunteers Click “New Volunteer? Click Here to Register.” This will open the form. Level 2 Volunteers 1. Login using your First Initial and Last Name as your login (JSMITH) (no spaces, all capitals). Use your birth date as the password (mm/dd/yyyy). 2. Update your information (required information has an asterisk) including the schools you volunteer at. You will need your driver's license number. 3. Select at least one school*. 4. Select at least one volunteer interest 5. If your SSN is not visible you will need to add it and select the appropriate Unsupervised volunteer interest, you will be re-approved. 6. Make note of your NEW login and password for future updates. Changing your login AND password is required to complete the update once your have logged in. 7. Click submit to complete the update.

Together, we can make it terrific year for your fifth grader!