Gifted Education Program Fort Couch Middle School Connie Gibson & Tim Wagner

Sample Six Day Rotation Schedule

Seminar 7 th Grade – Fall: Problem Solving – Spring: Rhetoric & Persuasion 8 th Grade – Fall: Innovation – Spring: Mock Trial

Chinese Language Class Two days / rotation Period 7 Chinese Teacher from the HS Spring of 7 th grade / fall of 8 th grade Focus on language acquisition Tentative for

Computer Fair Regional Competition in March State Competition in May Categories: Animation, Digital Movie, Graphic Design, Programming, Web Page Design, Computer Fair Logo

Drama Study (Spring) Reading a play Speaking / Performing Historical Context

Entrepreneurial Studies 8 th Grade Opportunity Partnership with Economics PA Aligned with 8 th grade seminar on innovation Business and marketing plans

Fine & Performing Arts Opportunities to attend (varies year to year)... – Plays – Ballets – Musicals – Concerts – Museums

Future City Fall / Winter Computer Design / Virtual City Research Writing – Research Essays – City Narratives Engineering the Model Team Presentation

Future Problem Solving Theme of 7 th grade seminar E. Paul Torrance’s Problem Solving Framework Competitions at Fort Couch – October – December – February State Competition in April

Geography Bee Sponsored by the National Geographic Society Practice sessions throughout the fall Qualifying exam for interested students Opportunity for state competition

STEM Design (K’NEX) Challenge Early spring (March) Teams of students solve an engineering challenge using K’NEX

Literature Study (Fall) In-depth analysis of a text in a small Socratic Seminar style discussion Thinking within the text, and an emphasis of grappling with ideas beyond the text

Math Problem Solving Opportunities throughout the year to work on mind-bending math problems May be used as “practice” for math competitions

Math Competitions Past competitions have included: – AMC 8 – Math Counts – Math Olympiad – 24

Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Competition March Selection of an individual monologue or a group scene to practice (fall) and receive coaching (winter) Performances grades 5-12 at the Pittsburgh Public Theater

Stock Market Game Fall Groups of students work on principles of investing and related math content, and develop a portfolio

US Department of Energy Science Bowl Late winter Practice sessions throughout the year Qualifying exam – two teams represent Ft Couch at the competition

Writing Workshop Opportunities to write, share writing with others, and receive feedback on work Foundational writing skill building (characterization, theme, etc.) Attention to a variety of genres, based on writers’ desires Competition list provided

One Day Events America Bowl Eco-Challenge History Bowl Science Bowl

Other Opportunities Community Service Days Independent Study – PRSEF Science Fair – Toshiba Exploravision

Questions? Please sign up for a GIEP at your earliest convenience. Call or us with your questions! Connie GibsonTim Wagner (412) , ext. 3154(412) , ext