The Challenge Program August 21 st, 4:00 Springdale Park Elementary School Ms. Lisa Evans Mr. Steve McKnight Ms. Monica Slack

Defining Gifted Students The Georgia Department of Education defines gifted students as… “A student who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities.”

SPARK Challenge Program Instruction is centered on various multidisciplinary units that meet the gifted program goals and extend or enrich the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that are being taught in the homeroom. We employ a resource (pull-out) model Students are served one full day each week –Ms. Evans – Olmsted Building, Room 001 –Mr. McKnight –Olmsted Building, Room 102 –Ms. Slack – Olmsted Building, Room 002

Gifted Program Standards Gifted Standards and Elements –Matrix of skills that build K-12 Standards still fall under the following categories: –Advanced Research Skills and Methods –Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills –Higher Order and Critical Thinking Skills in Academic Areas –Advanced Communication Skills *These standards will be taught rigorously to ensure student success in the unit and on the SLO assessments.

Expectations Keeps up with all homeroom assignments – student responsibility. Strives for excellence on all academic assignments. Makes appropriate behavior choices. But also… Takes risks Has fun Asks questions Helps and learns from each other

Curriculum Highlights 1 st Grade Unit: Zootopia (1 st semester); My Big Backyard (2 nd semester) 2 nd Grade Unit: Ch-Changes (1 st semester); Georgia On My Mind (2 nd semester) 3 rd Grade Unit: –McKnight  Ch-Changes (1 st semester); TBD –Slack  Extreme Experimentation (1 st Semester) and Create a Country (2 nd semester) 4 th Grade Unit: Evans  Eureka! The American Gold Rush (1 st semester); The Amazing Journey (2 nd semester); What in the World: Current Events; and Speech crafters/Debates (1 st and 2 nd semester integration) Slack  Extreme Experimentation (1 st semester); All Systems Go! (2 nd semester) *A more detailed program description will be forthcoming on the SPARK website.

Curriculum Highlights 5 th Grade Unit: –Evans  Make Peace, Not War (1 st semester) ;What in the World: Current Events; Speech crafters/Debates; and Jr. Great Books ; Invention Convention (2 nd semester) –McKnight  Science in the Kitchen (1 st semester); TBD –Slack  Extreme Experimentation (1 st semester); Invention Convention (2 nd semester)

Curriculum Highlights Math Notes will be used in every classroom this year in Challenge. This organizer is a variation of the Window Notes research based instructional strategy. It allows students to break down their mathematical thinking into parts to better understand the word problem. 8 Mathematical Practices are also being used to widen the students’ mathematical understanding and feel successful in the work that goes into solving one-step and multi-step word problems.

Curriculum Highlights ~ Math Notes Graphic Organizer The Facts What are the facts? The Question What question needs to be answered? The Steps What steps can we take to solve the problem? The Diagram and Equation How can we represent the problem visually? Write a math equation using numbers and a symbol, for the unknown number, to represent the problem.

Challenge Grading Gifted Progress Report –You will receive assessments at the end of each unit (not necessarily at the end of each quarter) –Indicates student level: developing, proficient, exemplary, or N/A (only on elements that have been taught) –Different than HR report card (no IC support) Homework – Occasionally assigned, especially in 4 th and 5 th grades. Classwork – Student work is maintained in the Challenge binder and will be sent home at the end of the unit. Fourth and Fifth graders will bring binders to class each week.

Motivation Expectations: To maintain satisfactory performance in the Challenge classroom, students will: Demonstrate drive and a desire to succeed. Work diligently toward class goals or objectives. Embrace challenges. Work well with minimal teacher redirection or intervention. If students experience academic or motivational issues, parents will be notified. Failure to make improvements will result in a student being placed on probationary status in the Challenge program.

Communication We will communicate primarily through via the Springdale Park website, Challenge tab! It will be updated bi- weekly with instructional updates, due dates, and other information. Please subscribe to the SPARK-e newsletter as it will contain pertinent Challenge information as well. Telephone –Gifted Department (Ms. Slack’s room) –School ( ) We will respond within 48 hours Please use Challenge teachers as your first means of contact for any Challenge related questions, concerns, etc.

Miscellaneous Student Information forms should be completed and returned as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Attendance: –Tardiness or missed days – student responsibility! –Scheduling appointments Supplies – please send in supplies with students if you did not have an opportunity to do so during the first week of class. We rely on supplies donated by Challenge families all year long! Thanks!

Resources Georgia Department of Education Resources on Gifted Education – pxhttp://public.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_iap_gifted.as px – es/Pages/Tools/GiftedEd.aspxhttps:// es/Pages/Tools/GiftedEd.aspx APS Gifted and Talented Website – Springdale Park Website –

Teacher Assignments Ms. Lisa Evans –All of 1 st grade; ½ of 4 th grade (Butler & Thurman) and 5 th grade (Ms. Riggins & 1/3 of Mrs. Hall) Mr. Steve McKnight – All of 2 nd grade, ½ of 3 rd Grade (Lockwood & Neal) and 5 th grade (Mr. McKie & 1/3 of Mrs. Hall) Ms. Monica Slack – ½ of 3 rd grade (Badger, English, & Windham); ½ of 4 th grade (Naman & Southcombe); and 5 th grade (Ms. Redel & 1/3 of Mrs. Hall)