Welcome to Target! Tritt’s Target Team: Tamera Neal, Jill Pierce, Allie Walker, and Angela Wilson

Our Mission To prepare gifted students for an ever-changing global marketplace where innovation is key and where they must be self- reflective, goal-oriented problem-seekers and solvers

How We Get There Concrete Abstract Simple Complex Product Process Fewer FacetsMulti-Faceted More Structured More Open Guided Facilitated

Aligns with the Gifted Standards The elements increase in complexity across grade levels Administered quarterly (First grade: end of semester) Target Progress Report

Quarterly & Annual Review

Assessment Indicators (S) Successful: When the student consistently and independently demonstrates outcomes supporting grade level standards and elements. (P) Progressing: When the student has demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements with support. (D) Does not meet: When the student has shown limited progress in demonstrating of outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

Gifted Standards Cognitive Growth Affective Growth

Cognitive Growth Convergent Thinking Algebraic Thinking Divergent Thinking Evaluative Thinking Relationships/ Connections Communication

Convergent Thinking ▪ Students will reason logically using induction and deduction. ▪ Examples: logic problems, analyzing reason, drawing conclusions Logic Problem

Algebraic Thinking ▪ Students will search for patterns in mathematics, symbolically represent mathematical relationships, and solve algebraic problems ▪ Examples: algebraic equations and real-world verbal contexts Primary Alegbra Hands-On Equations

Divergent Thinking Students will think creatively to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions to problems. Cognitive Components of Creativity: Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration Affective Components of Creativity: Risk-taking, Complexity, Curiosity, and Imagination Examples: brainstorming, transformations, creative problem solving, repurposing items

Evaluative Thinking Students will evaluate and solve a variety of authentic problems and dilemmas. Examples: Ranking and evaluating the quality of ideas for problem solving (evaluative thinking process); using and creating rubrics to assess work

Relationships and Connections Students will identify relationships and make connections among various topics and disciplines. Examples: Researching real-world topics and making connections to other disciplines; reflecting on societal and/or environmental issues and developing potential solutions

Communication Students will interact and exchange ideas, feelings, information, thoughts, and knowledge with others. Examples: Effective verbal and nonverbal communication, understanding and adjusting communication for a given audience, reading a variety of texts and writing for a variety of purposes

Affective Growth Standards Collaboration Self-Reflection Respect for Others Self-Directed Learner

A Typical Target Day Class meeting Cognitive and affective lessons Research, discussion, simulation, experimentation, problem- based learning, STEM Algebraic thinking Technology integration Independent and collaborative

Expectations Task commitment/personal best Short and long-term projects Collaboration Communication – oral and written Individual accountability Homework

Home/School Communication Blog Phone calls Conferences Please make sure you complete and return the student information form so that we have your contact information and preferences.

Current Topics of Study ▪ Grade 1: P.A.C.E. ▪ Grade 2: P.A.C.E. ▪ Grade 3: F.L.O.W. ▪ Grades 4-5: The Great Outdoors: Independent Study ▪ Process Focused ▪ Interdisciplinary

Homeroom/Target Classroom Gifted students are not expected to make up missed regular classroom work or homework on scheduled Target day but are responsible for turning in all other homeroom tasks as assigned Target homework permitted on Target day

Resources for Parents ▪ Raisin’ Brains: Surviving My Smart Family, by Karen L.J. Isaacson Raisin’ Brains: Surviving My Smart Family, by Karen L.J. Isaacson ▪ Secret to Raising ‘Resilient’ Kids Secret to Raising ‘Resilient’ Kids ▪ Hoagies Gifted Education Page Hoagies Gifted Education Page ▪ SENG SENG ▪

Questions?