McKinney isdMcKinney isd

GT Elementary Program GT Elementary Program 2009 - 20102009 - 2010

McKinney ISD exists to provide an excellent education for all.  

AgendaAgenda

1. Benefits of Clustering 1. Benefits of Clustering

2. Third Grade Program2. Third Grade Program

3. Depth and Complexity3. Depth and Complexity

5. Q & A5. Q & A

4. Report Cards4. Report Cards

Clustering Clustering

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

33rdrd Grade Grade½ Day GT Pull-Out½ Day GT Pull-Out

Fall – Mysteries and Bloom’s Taxonomy Fall – Mysteries and Bloom’s Taxonomy of Thinkingof Thinking

- Mystery/Who DunnitMystery/Who Dunnit- Unknown Variables in Algebra (Hands-Unknown Variables in Algebra (Hands-On Equations) On Equations)

- Logical ReasoningLogical Reasoning- Creative Thinking (Fluency, Flexibility, Creative Thinking (Fluency, Flexibility, Elaboration, and Originality)Elaboration, and Originality)

33rdrd Grade Grade½ Day GT Pull-Out½ Day GT Pull-Out

Spring – Ancient Wonders Lead to Future Spring – Ancient Wonders Lead to Future SystemsSystems

- Ancient Civilizations of Egypt and KoreaAncient Civilizations of Egypt and Korea- Introduction to College of William and Mary Introduction to College of William and Mary Curriculum using novel, Curriculum using novel, The Kite FightersThe Kite Fighters..

- Introduction of Kaplan’s Depth and Introduction of Kaplan’s Depth and ComplexityComplexity

- In-depth study of Base 3 numeration systemIn-depth study of Base 3 numeration system

DepthDepthKnow and use the Know and use the language language of the of the discipline.discipline.

Use Use detailsdetails to elaborate in the discipline. to elaborate in the discipline. Details are very specific, not general.Details are very specific, not general.

Look for Look for patternspatterns of recurring elements of recurring elements (identify, predict, generalize).(identify, predict, generalize).

Look for Look for trends trends or forces that shape a or forces that shape a body of knowledge. (literature, history, body of knowledge. (literature, history, prior knowledgeprior knowledge

Identify the Identify the unanswered questionsunanswered questions about about issues/concerns in the discipline.issues/concerns in the discipline.

Identify and explain theIdentify and explain the rulesrules or how or how information/events are organized in the information/events are organized in the discipline.discipline.

Be sensitive to the Be sensitive to the ethical considerationsethical considerations in the problem/issue/discipline. (‘tug-of-in the problem/issue/discipline. (‘tug-of-war’ or conflict needing resolution).war’ or conflict needing resolution).

Look at Look at big ideasbig ideas that can be supported by that can be supported by the evidence from a body of knowledge, the evidence from a body of knowledge, including facts, rules, trends, patterns, etc..including facts, rules, trends, patterns, etc..

DepthDepth

ComplexityComplexity

Look at ideas/information Look at ideas/information over timeover time..

(Past-Present-Future)(Past-Present-Future)

Look at ideas/information from different Look at ideas/information from different points-of-view.points-of-view. (interdisciplinary) (interdisciplinary)

Look for Look for connectionsconnections among/between among/between ideas/information (different subjects)ideas/information (different subjects)

Alpha Report Card3rd 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.

““There is nothing more unequal There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal than the equal treatment of unequal

children.”children.” ~ S. Fennell~ S. Fennell

Thank you so much Thank you so much for joining us!for joining us!

We appreciate your support for your child We appreciate your support for your child and education.and education.

-The Elementary ALPHA Team-The Elementary ALPHA Team