The “Creekside Kids” TeamC U R R I C U L U M N I

G H TSeptember 9, 2013

HAG Vision StatementThe aim of the Highly Academically Gifted Program is to develop future leaders who have the intellectual skills, attitudes, and character traits needed to meet the challenges of a complex, rapidly changing world.

HAG Mission StatementInstructors will create a rigorous academic environment that provides numerous and varied interdisciplinary learning challenges utilizing the following instructional strategies: differentiation, shared inquiry, acceleration, enrichment, technology, and reflection.

5th Grade Expectations for All

• Greater maturity in all areas – academic, behavior, work/study skills & habits

• Increased independence in doing assignments, organizing tasks, etc.

• Use of Planner to keep track of assignments • Responsibility for Tuesday packet communications• Cursive handwriting on some work• Proofreading to correct writing mechanics

(capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar)• Head a paper (name, date, subject, assignment) and

organize work with problem numbers• Study for tests

HAG Expectations

HAG Expectations include all regular 5th grade expectations, PLUS:

• Advanced content• Faster pace & greater complexity • Developing advanced information and communication skills• Using materials aimed at a more mature audience• Learning to cope with challenge; developing effective work

habits, asking questions, etc.• Accelerated pace

Homework Homework Policy #6154 adopted October

2009 explains the purpose, characteristics, guidelines, and completion time schedules.

Average Time Estimate, excluding reading:

Elementary gr. 5: 45-75 minutes daily

Middle Schools gr. 6-8: 45-90 minutes daily

MathTopics include:• The Number System• Algebraic Expressions• Equations, Inequalities, & Applications• Rate & Ratio• Area, Volume, & Application• Statistics & Distributions• Rational Numbers• Geometry• Probability• Percent• Superstars, 24 Challenge, … and more!

LiteratureWorks that may be read:• A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park• A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L’Engle• Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse• Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko• The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien• The Cay, by Theodore Taylor• Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen• The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor• Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine• Drizzle, by Kathleen Van Cleve• The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick• The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis

and others…

Social StudiesUnits include:Native Americans & Early ExplorersColonial AmericaAmerican Revolution & U.S. GovernmentThe Growing NationThe Civil WarReconstruction

Economics, Geography, Culture, and some Government taught within historical contexts.

Financial Literacy 2nd semester

ScienceTopics include:• Weather and Climate• Water Cycle• Heat• Ecosystems• Forces and Motion• Cells• Body Systems• Genetics• Conservation of MatterExploraVision, Engineering is Elementary Kits, Science Fair, and

RiverXchange will be a part of Science this year.

Language ArtsTopics include:• Note-taking• Summarizing• Presenting• Narrative Composition• Expository Composition• Persuasive Composition• Poetry• Writing Mechanics• Grammar• Vocabulary

Technology Technology will be integrated throughout the curriculum.

Possible tools include:Livebinders EdmodoGlogster WordPowerPoint ExcelMuseum Box PreziFlip Charts Wikis & Blogs

… and a wide variety of education search engines and databases

Teacher webpages, Technology class

Other Information• Arrival (morning work) and Dismissal (send notes)

• Power School• Make-up Tests (Wednesdays)• Tuesday Packets• Family Life (Spring)

• Field Trips (Camp Thunderbird-October 16-18;Spring Field Trip under discussion)

All Volunteers must submit an online registration form.Previously approved Level 2 volunteers, will need to login, update, and re-submit.

Visit the website at www.wsfcsvolunteers.com.

New Volunteers and Level 1 VolunteersClick “New Volunteer? Click Here to Register.” This will open the form.

Level 2 Volunteers 1. Login using your First Initial and Last Name as your login (JSMITH) (no spaces, all capitals). Use your birth date as the password (mm/dd/yyyy).2. Update your information (required information has an asterisk) including the schools you volunteer at. You will need your driver's license number.3. Select at least one school*.4. Select at least one volunteer interest5. If your SSN is not visible you will need to add it and select the appropriate Unsupervised volunteer interest, you will be re-approved.6. Make note of your NEW login and password for future updates. Changing your login AND password is required to complete the update once your have logged in. 7. Click submit to complete the update.

Thank you! It’s going to be a terrific year!