1. McKinney isd GT Elementary Program 2009 - 2010 McKinney ISD exists to provide an excellent education for all.

2. Agenda 1. Benefits of Clustering 2. Third Grade Program 3. Depth and Complexity 5. Q & A 4. Report Cards

3. Clustering Diversity – Academically gifted students are able to interact with other gifted students, including those with different cultures, experiences, and learning styles. Diversity – Academically gifted students are able to interact with other gifted students, including those with different cultures, experiences, and learning styles.

4. 3 rd Grade ½ Day GT Pull-Out Fall – Mysteries and Bloom’s Taxonomy of Thinking - Mystery/Who Dunnit - Unknown Variables in Algebra (Hands-On Equations) - Logical Reasoning - Creative Thinking (Fluency, Flexibility, Elaboration, and Originality)

5. 3 rd Grade ½ Day GT Pull-Out Spring – Ancient Wonders Lead to Future Systems - Ancient Civilizations of Egypt and Korea - Introduction to College of William and Mary Curriculum using novel, The Kite Fighters. - Introduction of Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity - In-depth study of Base 3 numeration system

6. Depth Know and use the language of the discipline. Use details to elaborate in the discipline. Details are very specific, not general. Look for patterns of recurring elements (identify, predict, generalize). Look for trends or forces that shape a body of knowledge. (literature, history, prior knowledge

7. Identify the unanswered questions about issues/concerns in the discipline. Identify and explain the rules or how information/events are organized in the discipline. Be sensitive to the ethical considerations in the problem/issue/discipline. (‘tug-of-war’ or conflict needing resolution). Look at big ideas that can be supported by the evidence from a body of knowledge, including facts, rules, trends, patterns, etc.. Depth

8. Complexity Look at ideas/information over time. (Past-Present-Future) Look at ideas/information from different points-of-view. (interdisciplinary) Look for connections among/between ideas/information (different subjects)

9. Alpha Report Card 3 rd grade ALPHA report cards will be sent home each semester. Based on: concepts covered in the Alpha classroom. goals and objectives specifically designed for gifted learners. the evidence of development and application of enduring understandings.

10. “There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal children.” ~ S. Fennell

11. Thank you so much for joining us! We appreciate your support for your child and education. -The Elementary ALPHA Team -The Elementary ALPHA Team