Welcome to Fourth Grade!

About Me… Background –Pittsburgh Rules! Education –BA History/English –BA Music(Vocal) –Elementary (K-8) certification –MAT Education –AIG Certification –Thesis-Writing and music –Experience all over the country and grade level spectrum Presentations –Local, State and National conferences (organized MRSA conference) –Classics, Drama, Science, Science and LA Performance –Shows every year…Matthews, Ft Mill, Davidson, Albemarle, Concord, Charlotte Symphony, Chamber, Ballet –OCT Board of Directors

Goals To create interesting, knowledgeable, well-rounded, caring humans To prepare for fifth grade and beyond by developing –Self-discipline –Critical thinking –Independence as a thinker and a person –Academic skill –Time Management

Gifted Curriculum A curriculum that teaches gifted students to be better memorizers does not qualify as measurably different instruction, which is demanded, per the charter Insight and metacognition are of greater value than basic facts and skill based learning (though there is a place for those)

Approach Significant content Adjusted Pacing Conceptual or Thematic Organization Interdisciplinary Study Complex Problem-Solving Study of People Self-Directed learning/Inquiry Small Group Investigation Individualized study including research techniques in different disciplines Self-As Learner/ Metacognitive awareness

Traditional Behaviors, non-traditional learning Readers’ Notebooks-every day-five per week! (Exceptions: Thanksgiving Week, Winter Break, Spring Break) Projects (done in class) High Level conversation-this is where real learning takes place (especially in LA!)

Grades Grades are secondary to learning and effort Gifted Kids and Rubrics The Trojan Horse Model

Miscellany Subscribe to website Consistent homework Library cards Art Field Trip

Some Reading Suggestions Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won’t Stop Talking How Children Succeed The Smartest Kids in the World Einstein Never Used Flashcards