1. FUTURA Developing the Intellect through Inquiry and Investigation
Show this slide as people enter.
Systems

2. Meet the Teacher
Elizabeth Bowers *

3. What is FUTURA? Facilitating Understanding Through Utilizing Real Life
Applications *

4. LCPS Gifted Education Goals
#1 To become divergent creative thinkers who recognize problems and solve them.
#2 To construct personal meaning and understanding of others and of the world around them.
#3 To develop the capacity for self assessment. (ownership of the learning)

5. Cardinal RidgeFUTURA Center
Monday – Assist in other schools
Tuesday – Cardinal Ridge 5th
 Wednesday – Cardinal Ridge 4th
Thursday – Little River 5th
Friday – Little River 4th
Our classroom is Room 128
Mixing 4th and 5th - Our curriculum is open ended and isn't leveled academically.  It spans several grades and subject areas.  This gives our students the opportunity to work with students from other grades and possibly other schools.   *

6. Cardinal Ridge Elementary School
Student Behavior Management Guidelines
Hallway
Stairs
Cafeteria
Playground
Bathroom
Arrival
Dismissal
Bus
Respect Yourself
I will:
keep my hands to myself
use walking feet
keep my hand on the rail
use walking feet and each step
stay seated
raise my hand to ask for help
play safely
walk into and out of the building
stay in the recess boundaries
wash my hands with soap and water and use paper towels to dry them
use a quiet voice
go to my assigned area when arriving
go to my assigned area after school
face forward
Respect Others
walk quietly
walk in a straight, single file line
walk on the right side
eat only my own food
stay in my seat
line up quietly
keep my hands and feet to myself
play fair and think of others
enter and leave quietly
give others privacy
quietly move through hallways, the cafeteria, and stairways
stay in line and listen for the teachers’ directions
Respect Property
keep my hands to myself at my side
avoid items hanging on the wall
clean up my trash from the table and the floor
keep rocks and twigs on the ground
use the equipment for the right purpose
share the recess equipment
return the recess equipment to its proper place
place all trash in the trash can
use only what I need
report bathroom problems to an adult
go directly to my bus or parent/guardian from the class line
not eat or drink on the bus
keep our bus clean
keep my device in my backpack

7. FUTURA Expectations
Productivity
Commitment to the task
Collaboration

8. Tentative Daily Schedule
Take Bus to FUTURA center
9:00-9:15 Arrive at FUTURA center
9:15-10:00 Interest Development Centers
10:00-12:05 Systems Investigations
12:05-12:35 Lunch
12:40-12:55 Recess
1:00-1:40 Creative Problem Solving
1:45 Take Bus back to home school
Students are actively working/learning the entire time
they are in FUTURA. There are no specials during
FUTURA. *

9. Cardinal Ridge Elementary School  
If your child is going to be absent, please call your home school as well as
Cardinal Ridge Elementary School *

10. Lunch
Students may bring their lunch from home or buy at the FUTURA center.
Lunch accounts are interconnected with your child’s home school. Please make sure they have money in their account if they plan to buy lunch at FUTURA.
There are no snacks in the rooms at Cardinal Ridge. Make sure students eat a good breakfast. *

11. Interest Development Centers
FUTURA students have the opportunity to choose activities based on interest and learning style while working at their pace.
Students learn task commitment and time management skills.
Reflect on individual accomplishments and set goals. *

12. Class Systems Investigations
Examples of possible topics include: Weather, Solar, Economic, Judicial, Body, Ecosystems

13. Essential Understandings
of Systems
Systems have design
Systems can change
Systems have boundaries
Systems have a function
Systems have parts that interact

14. Binder
Your child is responsible for bringing his/her binder each week.
FUTURA *

15. Assessments
A performance assessment is given at the end of each semester. (late January and again in June)
Informal assessments are ongoing.
Students are often asked to complete self-assessments on various products. This allows them to reflect on their learning.
A copy of the FUTURA Assessment can be found in your child’s binder. *

16. At home, FUTURA students may need to:
Homework Policy
Home School Homework - Students have two days to make up any missed assignments.
At home, FUTURA students may need to:
Continue FUTURA research
Bring in materials for certain lessons
Renzulli – Coming Soon!

17. Bring Your Own Technology
FUTURA students will have the opportunity to participate in BYOT.
Information was sent home with the students.
This is a family decision. It is not mandatory.

18. Please Check The FUTURA Website

19. Cardinal Ridge Elementary
Communication
Cardinal Ridge Elementary
or me:
Check the FUTURA website for newsletters.
Check the binders for project information and grades on projects. *

20. Guest Speakers elizabeth.bowers@lcps.org
Parent Experts Wanted!
This year’s theme is Systems. Please contact me if you have experience in any of the following topics and you would like to share information with the class. If you feel that you have an expertise that can connect to Systems in another way please let me know, as well. Thank you so much for considering this. Information from the real world helps FUTURA students make more in-depth connections.
Image result for system
-Solar System/Space Technology
-Biology/Body Systems
-Computer Systems
-Weather Systems
-The Environment
-Economics/Stock Market
-Legal System with Mock Trials
When you contact me please let me know your child's name, school, and grade. I will arrange with you a convenient date and time that corresponds with your child's FUTURA day.

21. Thank You For Your Support
We look forward to a great year of FUTURA.
Please feel free to visit the classroom briefly after the presentation (CRE parents until 6:45PM).
Due to the confidential nature of gifted students, please refrain from taking pictures in the classrooms.
Bowers:
RM 128