1. Welcome to Fourth Grade!

2. About Me… Background Education Presentations Performance
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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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!)

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

8. Miscellany Subscribe to website Consistent homework Library cards
Conferences

9. 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