Teacher for 17 years Gifted Resource Teacher for 10 Originally from NY Masters in Elem. Ed Gifted Certification Administration Certification National Board Certified Teacher Former SEARCH teacher- first year FUTURA

Serving: Wednesday – Hillside 4 th & 5 th Grade Thursday – Balls Bluff 4 th Grade Friday – Dominion Trail 4 th & 5 th Grade

Morning: depart from home school at 8:45am and arrive at Hillside at 9:00am. Afternoon: depart from Hillside at 1:45pm and arrive at home school at 2:00pm. Hillside students arrive at 9:30 return to class at 2:15

If your child is going to be tardy, absent, or dismissed early please contact the base school and Hillside Elementary at (571)

I have a copy of your child’s emergency card on file at Hillside If your child has a health concern, please send a small photo for the nurse Health Care Plan Medication must be dropped off in the clinic by parent, a student may not bring it with them

Students may bring their lunch from home or buy at the FUTURA center. Lunch accounts are interconnected with your child’s base school. Please make sure they have money on their account if they plan to buy lunch when at FUTURA. Please send your child with a nutritious and “nut free” snack.

8:45 Take Bus to FUTURA center 9:00 Arrive at FUTURA center 9:00-10:00 Critical/Creative Problem Solving 10:00-12:00 Class Systems Investigation 12:00-12:20 Recess 12:25-12:55 LUNCH 1:00-1:45 Interest Development Centers 1:45 Take Bus back to base school Students are actively working/learning the entire time they are in FUTURA. There are no specials.

F acilitating U nderstanding T hrough U sing R eal life A pplications

Have an acceptable level of productivity Development and use of planning strategies Utilization of problem solving techniques Application of core content learning through projects Flexibility and Critical thinking Collaboration with fellow students Perseverance and task commitment Maintenance of proper classroom decorum

Possible Topics of Study Physics: Energy & Weather Solar Biology: Body & Genetics Ecosystems Government: Judicial Culture Economics Mechanical: Electricity & Inventions Communication: Language & Technology Transportation Throughout the Year Research Problem Solving Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Evaluative Thinking Deductive Thinking Communication Skills Analytical Skills Application of Technology

Systems Have Function Systems Have Design Systems Have Boundaries Systems can Change Parts of Systems Interact

Goals: To provide FUTURA students with opportunities to both satisfy and elicit their intense curiosity. FUTURA students have the opportunity to choose activities based on interest and learning style while working at their own individual pace. Students learn task commitment and time management skills. Reflect on individual accomplishments and set goals.

GoQuest is an internet based educational tool which provides fun, engaging and meaningful activities that are tailored to meet your child's individual interests and needs. Students are to check their accounts at least once a week outside of FUTURA class.

1-6 scale Sample was sent home the first week. A performance assessment is given at the end of each semester. (late January and June) Informal assessments are ongoing. These will be in your child’s FUTURA binder with major projects/centers work. Students are often asked to complete self-assessments on various products. This allows them to reflect on their learning.

Regular Classroom Assignments Make-Up work Policy - Students have two school days to make up any missed assignments. See the FUTURA Handbook for details. FUTURA Extensions Continue FUTURA research Bring in materials for certain lessons Complete GoQuest extensions

Your child is responsible for bringing their binder and journal each week Should stay organized. Agendas - Communication is important in FUTURA FUTURA

Call Hillside Elementary (571)

Alana Skelly Gifted and Talented Resource Teachers Loudoun County Schools

Stanford Professor and developer of the Mindset Theory 20

21 Fixed Mindset: A belief system that suggests that a person has a predetermined amount of intelligence, skills, or talents Growth Mindset: A belief system that suggests that one’s intelligence can be grown or developed with persistence, effort, and a focus on learning

When does failure become the pathway to success? The RESILIENCE to keep going, The PERSISTENCE to try new and improved strategies, The DETERMINATION to view failure as a path to new learning. G: Get back up R: Review the situation I: Identify a new strategy T: Try again 22

23

Model Growth Mindset in our own lives Ask kids, “When do you feel smart – when it’s easy or when you are learning?” Praise effort and work habits, not ability or grades Remember valuing speed and perfection can hinder difficult learning 24

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck Mindsets in the Classroom by Mary Cay Ricci Website: 25

Questions