“Creekside Kids” C U R R I C U L U M N I G H T The “Creekside Kids” Team C U R R I C U L U M N I G H T September 9, 2013 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.

5 th Grade Expectations for All Greater maturity in all areas – academic, behavior, work/study skills & habits Increased independence in doing assignments, organizing tasks, etc. Use of 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) Head a paper (name, date, subject, assignment) and organize work with problem numbers Study for tests

HAG Expectations HAG Expectations include all regular 5th grade expectations, PLUS: Advanced content Faster pace & greater complexity Developing advanced information and communication skills Using materials aimed at a more mature audience Learning to cope with challenge; developing effective work habits, asking questions, etc. Accelerated pace

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

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 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 Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine Drizzle, by Kathleen Van Cleve 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 & Early Explorers Colonial America American Revolution & U.S. Government The Growing Nation The Civil War Reconstruction Economics, Geography, Culture, and some Government taught within historical contexts. Financial Literacy 2nd semester

Science Topics include: Weather and Climate Water Cycle Heat Ecosystems Forces and Motion Cells Body Systems Genetics Conservation of Matter 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 Grammar Vocabulary

Technology Technology will be integrated throughout the curriculum. Possible tools include: LivebindersEdmodo GlogsterWord PowerPointExcel Museum Box Prezi Flip ChartsWikis & Blogs … and a wide variety of education search engines and databases Teacher webpages, Technology class

Other Information Arrival (morning work) and Dismissal (send notes) Power School Make-up Tests (Wednesdays) Tuesday Packets Family Life (Spring) Field Trips (Camp Thunderbird-October 16-18; Spring Field Trip under discussion)

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 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.