1. Welcome to Back to School Night
Spectrum Teachers,
Peggy Jensen 6th, 7th and 8th grade,
Heather Jackson 6th,7th, 8th grade Eligibility Coordinator

2. Spectrum is the Loudoun County Public School program designed to meet the needs of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade intellectually gifted students.

3. Proficiencies in Spectrum
Exercise critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills;
Respect the ideas and opinions of others;
Strive to build group cohesiveness;

4. Proficiencies in Spectrum
Use creativity, curiosity, and imagination;
Expand oral and written communication skills;
Enhance technology skills through STEM units.

5. Scheduling for 6th and 7th grade
Time in Spectrum is approx. 42 minutes
The block is split between Spectrum and a music or art elective- there is NO resource
Example of a schedule
Block 2 Band or Chorus (first half)
Block 2 Spectrum (second half)

6. Three Overarching Goals for the LCPS Gifted Program
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.

7. Three Overarching Goals for the LCPS Gifted Program
3) To develop the capacity for self- assessment (ownership of the learning).
Adapted from Re-thinking Curriculum for the 21st Century, by Art Costa

8. Highlights of Spectrum Learning
Use deductive reasoning to solve complex mathematical problems as part of an engaging detective scenario.
Learn to come to a consensus using synergistic decision-making skills as part of survival simulations that take place around the world.
Practice inquiry, research and investigative skills using technology to enhance understanding

9. Highlights of Spectrum Learning
Devise solutions to authentic, “real-world” situations and problems
Utilize collaborative skills on multiple team projects/products
Participate in National contests:
Continental Math League,
eCybermission

10. Spectrum Curriculum Themes
Business and Economics
Communication and Culture
Technology and Engineering
Ethics and Perspectives
These 4 categories are covered by various units over the middle school Spectrum curriculum.

11. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum, Year 1
Business and Economics :  “Ad Agency”, groups compete against other groups while
creating ad campaigns

12. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum, Year 1
Communication and Culture :
Archaeology/ Anthropology unit
planning a field trip to Natural History Museum in D.C. (if buses are available)

13. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum, Year 1
Ethics and Perspectives : Synergistic decision-making skills for Survival Simulations around the world

14. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum, Year 1
Above-grade level Math/Problem Solving : Continental Math League,
Math/ Detective
Scenarios

15. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum, Year 1
Collaborative Problem-Based Learning:
“Mystery Disease” when students assume the role of county public health workers to investigate and solve a crisis
Tanglers

16. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum, Year 1
Technology and Engineering : eCybermission,
a national STEM competition of the Army Educational Outreach Program
Groups of 3-4
Complex, lengthy project with teacher as facilitator
Solving a problem in the community
Students choose from several topics

17. Ecybermission We invite you to look up ecybermission.com
Look under “About” to find:
Mission Challenges
Judging (gives rubrics/scoring) for the projects for engineering process or scientific inquiry

19. Assessment of Students
Students are evaluated each semester based on the following four areas:
Thinking skills
Research skills
Independent learning skills
Interactive learning skills

20. Refer to the Spectrum Semester Teacher Assessment
Two-sided Spectrum Teacher Assessment for each semester
One completed by the teacher, AND one completed by the student as a self- assessment
Sent home in January and June with the semester report cards (Q 2 and Q 4)

21. Enrichment Opportunities
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Summer Schools and Camp Activities (UVA, Duke, Johns Hopkins)
Loudoun County Public Libraries- writing contest, special speakers
Check the Gifted website and LCPS website
Check the SHMS website
for a list of clubs

22. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Talent Search- link on Mrs. Jensen’s website
SHMS school code:
Optional, tuition-based program that may be of interest for further enrichment
SHMS is ranked among the best in LC

23. Thomas Edison said
“Genius is:
1% inspiration and
99% perspiration.”
Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Jensen say:
Original ideas and divergent thinking are a beginning;
heighten it with perseverance!

24. Thank you for coming! Feel free to contact us by email :
The remainder of your evening: 7:00-8:00 in classrooms according to your student’s schedule.