1. Teaching Wholeheartedly
2011 Fall Conference
Sarah Kasprowicz
WATG President

2. My Classroom 5th and 6th Grade 24 Students
Merton Community School District
Self-Contained Regular Ed Teacher
This is my 17th year as a classroom teacher

3. GT Advocate Grades 4-8 in my district
Support for EC-8 for one hour per day

4. “Wholeheartedly” is NOT this:
Link:

5. What IS Wholeheartedly?
My heart?
My student’s heart?
How much is enough?

6. How Much Can I Do? Common Core Standards Skyward Grading System
24 Students
Staff Development
ILP Professional Learning Plan
Coaching
Vertical Teams
Project-Based Learning
GT Advocate Responsibilities
Parent / Teacher Communication

7. Funny Math
All of the new responsibilities plus what I’ve done in the past = more than 100%.

8. Simplify … something has to go.
Link:

9. What do I let go? Grading Practice Work
Traditional Projects from the past
Focus on drill and kill
Energy Drainers and Complainers
Curriculum not included in the Common Core

10. What are my priorities?
Link:

11. Implications
To teach wholeheartedly I need to let go of what I’ve done in the past.
I need to be open to invention, creativity and innovation.
What can bridge the gap between how I learned and how my students today learn?

12. ILP: GT and RtI…OK?

13. Extension Central
Link:
Modeled after Intervention Central
I post resources in three areas:
Classroom Tools
Professional Development Opportunities
Family Resources about RtI and Gifted

14. My students touch my heart
The bottom line is…I teach to reach my students.
The fifth graders in my class give me inspiration every day.
Working with families can make a difference.
Sharing with colleagues invigorates my purpose and drive.
The frustration with outside pressure, stress and criticism can either make me crumble…or refuse to give up.

15. RtI Time in 5th Grade One hour per day
Literacy focus for first quarter
Structured to meet the needs of all of my students.
Wholeheartedly means the whole class gets attention.
Wholeheartedly means Interventions and Extensions are implemented together.
Do not wait to implement extensions until the interventions have time to “get going.”

16. My Classroom Schedule

17. 3:00 – 4:00 3:00 – 3:15 Silent Reading for all (Based on SEM-R Model)
3:15 – 3:40 Meetings and Work Time
Monday, Wednesday, Friday Intervention Group
Tuesday and Thursday Extension Group
If a student is not in an intervention or extension group they work on their differentiated independent projects
3:40 – 4:00 Study Hall and SEM-R conferences (5 per day)

18. My Whole Heart Sings with JOY
Every day I have a chance to
Make a difference.
Ignite that spark.
Instill confidence.
Foster success.
Scaffold a discovery.
No matter what happens…this will never change.

19. Your Heart Matters…Keep Beating
Link:

20. Thank YOU I thank you for being here.
Your work and passion make a difference.