GATES Units of Study Marissa Griffin Blattner Gifted and Talented Specialist Revised August 2013

GOAL STATEMENTS To provide differentiated educational services promoting critical and creative thinking skills. To provide differentiated educational services promoting critical and creative thinking skills. To engage students in an academically challenging and motivating program. To engage students in an academically challenging and motivating program. Revised August 2013

GOAL STATEMENTS To identify and implement best practices in teaching gifted students. To identify and implement best practices in teaching gifted students. To support the needs of highly able students by providing training for teachers. To support the needs of highly able students by providing training for teachers. Revised August 2013

District Curriculum Philosophy Statement At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified gifted students is based on the following six areas of emphasis: At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified gifted students is based on the following six areas of emphasis: Problem Solving Problem Solving Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Creative Thinking Research Skills Research Skills Independent Learning Independent Learning Communication Skills Communication Skills Revised August 2013

Problem Solving The student uses a variety of approaches to solve problems; develops thoughtful questions; plans, organizes, implements, evaluates, and presents solutions. Revised August 2013

Critical Thinking The student demonstrates skills of complex thinking; sees relationships; examines facts and variables; makes deductions based on logical reasoning. Revised August 2013

Creative Thinking The student uses divergent thinking; sees things in new and different ways. The student shows fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration in generating and presenting ideas. Revised August 2013

Research Skills The student asks open-ended research questions and develops a plan for answering them; gathers information from relevant sources; clarifies research questions and evaluates/synthesizes collected information; purposefully organizes and presents ideas/conclusions. Revised August 2013

Independent Learning The student organizes time and work; uses a variety of resources; sets high standards of quality; completes self- directed learning; develops innovative products and performances. Revised August 2013

Communication Skills The student communicates effectively; listens actively; participates effectively in a group. Revised August 2013

Ongoing Lessons Throughout the Year Vocabulary Integration-(PSAT and SAT Prep! It is never too early!) Vocabulary Integration-(PSAT and SAT Prep! It is never too early!) 16 Habits of Mind/Scholarly Behaviors-The skills, behaviors and attitudes that effective learners use with dealing with new learning problems. 16 Habits of Mind/Scholarly Behaviors-The skills, behaviors and attitudes that effective learners use with dealing with new learning problems. 11 Depth and Complexity Icons -Going deeper into our thinking and questioning! 11 Depth and Complexity Icons -Going deeper into our thinking and questioning! Research and Writing Skills Research and Writing Skills Technology Integration-iPads and Netbooks! Technology Integration-iPads and Netbooks! Six Thinking Hats -Encourages thinking in colorful ways! Six Thinking Hats -Encourages thinking in colorful ways! Creative/Future Problem Solving Skills-We want our students to be future ready! Creative/Future Problem Solving Skills-We want our students to be future ready! Problem Based Learning and the Engineering Design Process-Real World Applications Problem Based Learning and the Engineering Design Process-Real World Applications Creative Thinking Skills-(FFOE-Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration) Creative Thinking Skills-(FFOE-Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration) Revised August 2013

Kindergarten Fall (Sept.–Dec.) Fall (Sept.–Dec.) -Ongoing whole classroom weekly critical and creative thinking lessons, including lessons to screen for potential GT students Jan.-Feb. Jan.-Feb. -GT testing for nominated students Spring (March-May) Spring (March-May) -Critical and Creative thinking skills lessons for identified GT students Revised August 2013

1 st and 2 nd Grade Stewardship in the Global World: First grade students will focus on how living things depend on other living things and their non-living surroundings in order to survive. Emphasis will be placed on we adapt, make an impact and take care of the world around us. Revised August 2014

3 rd Grade Structures and the Art of Architecture Third graders will explore ways in which engineers and architects use their knowledge to design, build, and test structures using their problem solving skills to find the best solutions for our future. Revised August 2014

4 th and 5 th Grade Let’s Get Civilized! Students will develop an understanding of our past and the contributions made by ancient civilizations. They will explore how these contributions have shaped our world today and apply their knowledge to work as teams of engineers to design and create a “civilized” theme park.. Revised August 2014

Other Opportunities Duke TIP-4 th and 5 th only Duke TIP-4 th and 5 th only Rising Stars Destination Imagination-K-2 nd Rising Stars Destination Imagination-K-2 nd Destination Imagination-3rd-5th Destination Imagination-3rd-5th UIL-2 nd -5 th UIL-2 nd -5 th Campus Clubs (ie., Math Olympiad, Word Masters Challenge, Green Team, Leadership Team, Student Council, Battle of the Books) Campus Clubs (ie., Math Olympiad, Word Masters Challenge, Green Team, Leadership Team, Student Council, Battle of the Books) Artistic Contests-PTA Reflections, NISD Holiday Greeting Card, Art Show Artistic Contests-PTA Reflections, NISD Holiday Greeting Card, Art Show District Events-Night of No Limits, TechnoExpo District Events-Night of No Limits, TechnoExpo Community/Summer Opportunities-Community link on NISD website Community/Summer Opportunities-Community link on NISD website Revised August 2013