1. Liberty Middle School HORIZONS 2013-14 Program Overview

2. Sherrie O’Hara Horizon Language Arts sohara@forsyth.k12.ga.us 770-817-4889, ext.290448 Program Teachers

3. Robert Dodd Horizon Social Studies rdodd@forsyth.k12.ga.us 770-781-4889, ext. 290447 Program Teachers

4. Brooke Hollingsworth Horizon Science bhollingsworth@forsyth.k12.ga.us 770-781-4889, ext. 290443 Program Teachers

5. Kristen Watson Advanced 6 th & 7 th Math kwatson@forsyth.k12.ga.us 770-781-4889, ext. 290244 Program Teachers

6. Program Overview Students must be served in a minimum of one class to remain in the program Class size is not limited as it was prior to IE ² Student are required to maintain passing grades in both gifted and regular classes to remain in program Advanced classes not limited to gifted students, others may be eligible based on set criteria

7. Program Expectations Different work, not necessarily more. Engagement in higher level thinking and application skills Project based learning Creative, out-of-the-box thinking Challenge and beyond Authentic assessment Student autonomy through self-paced projects Students WILL have homework!

8. Differentiation for Gifted Students Ways to differentiate: Content Process Products Learning Environment Liberty’s Delivery Models: Resource Class Model Advanced Content

9. Advanced Content Classes Science: Science Fair (Required for Grade 8) (Fall) ‏ Science Olympiad (Grade 6 & 7) Language Arts: Oratorical, Participation required in local essay contests Wordsmith Vocabulary Program Academic Games League of America/Games for Thinkers Social Studies: Social Science Fair (Required for 8th Grade) (Fall) ‏ Differentiated Curriculum Standards Based

10. Class Placement Students placed in first service as area of strength Parent/Student preferences are considered, but without guarantees Additional services based on student meeting criteria from: – Test scores – Grades – Motivation - Interest – Teacher recommendations Class size and scheduling conflicts can interfere with recommended services Enrollment in Horizons is enrollment in the PROGRAM – not individual classes Student schedules cannot not be changed once school starts and will not be changed without valid ACADEMIC reason

11. Grade Considerations Sixth grade Transition challenges Maximum of 2 serves with few exceptions Seventh Grade Scores on CRCT used as partial placement criteria for High School advanced or honors courses Eighth Grade Recommendations for High School placement made at beginning of second semester – work habits first semester are critical to this placement

12. Thank you! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.