Smiling Faces Welcome You Smiling Faces Welcome You to EXCEL’s to EXCEL’s

Open House!Open House!

EXCEL-lent memories from EXCEL-lent memories from last year…last year…

EXCEL-lent Guests!EXCEL-lent Guests!

Kids In Action Youth Kids In Action Youth ConferenceConference

Islip School District

Islip Middle School

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be “gifted”?“gifted”?

Ability to handle Ability to handle abstractionabstraction

Power of concentrationPower of concentration Ability to memorize and Ability to memorize and

learn rapidlylearn rapidly AltruismAltruism Humor (sometimes Humor (sometimes

inappropriate)inappropriate) CommitmentCommitment Inquisitive natureInquisitive nature NonconformityNonconformity StubbornStubborn

Self-directionSelf-direction Leadership qualitiesLeadership qualities CreativeCreative InnovativeInnovative Diverse interestsDiverse interests Advanced vocabularyAdvanced vocabulary Keen observationKeen observation CuriosityCuriosity ConcernConcern Overdeveloped sense of Overdeveloped sense of

justicejustice

…in addition to all of the “normal” attributes of kids!!

Advantages of “Pull-out” Advantages of “Pull-out” ProgramsPrograms

Gifted students make the greatest progress when Gifted students make the greatest progress when they are grouped homogenously and offered a they are grouped homogenously and offered a differentiated curriculumdifferentiated curriculum

Opportunity to interact with students with similar, Opportunity to interact with students with similar, unique interestsunique interests

Students are exposed to wider and deeper Students are exposed to wider and deeper knowledgeknowledge

Departure from ‘regular’ curriculumDeparture from ‘regular’ curriculum Does not separate gifted students from peersDoes not separate gifted students from peers

““You see things, and you say ‘why?’ You see things, and you say ‘why?’

but I dream things that never were, but I dream things that never were, and I say ‘why not?’ ”and I say ‘why not?’ ”

George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw

Curriculum & Curriculum & InstructionInstruction The The EXCELEXCEL curriculum is created to be curriculum is created to be

sufficiently rigorous, challenging and sufficiently rigorous, challenging and coherent to meet the needs of diverse coherent to meet the needs of diverse gifted students. gifted students.

The goal of the The goal of the EXCEL ProgramEXCEL Program is to is to produce well educated, knowledgeable produce well educated, knowledgeable students who have worked hard to master students who have worked hard to master substantial bodies of knowledge; who substantial bodies of knowledge; who thought clearly and critically about that thought clearly and critically about that knowledge; and who can demonstrate knowledge; and who can demonstrate presentational skills used for authentic presentational skills used for authentic purposes.purposes.

Content:Content: Content is related to broad-based themes. Content is related to broad-based themes. All curricular areas are integrated into the unit of study.All curricular areas are integrated into the unit of study. Curriculum allows for an in-depth learning within an area of Curriculum allows for an in-depth learning within an area of

study.study.Process:Process: Activities evoke higher level thinking.Activities evoke higher level thinking. Curriculum is open-ended and encourages self-discovery.Curriculum is open-ended and encourages self-discovery. Group interaction and proof of reason is encouraged to help Group interaction and proof of reason is encouraged to help

students strive for supporting answers with evidence: more students strive for supporting answers with evidence: more than one right answer.than one right answer.

Learning process allows students “ownership” of their learning.Learning process allows students “ownership” of their learning.Product:Product: Encourages the development of products that challenge Encourages the development of products that challenge

existing ideas and produce new ideas.existing ideas and produce new ideas. Encourages the development of products that use newly, Encourages the development of products that use newly,

learned techniques.learned techniques. Evaluate student outcomes by using appropriate and specific Evaluate student outcomes by using appropriate and specific

criteria through the use of self and group reflection, student criteria through the use of self and group reflection, student portfolios and showcases.portfolios and showcases.

ArchitectureArchitecture What role does architecture play in our What role does architecture play in our

world?world? Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright Architect Studio 3D to create virtual dream Architect Studio 3D to create virtual dream

house house Blueprints and constructionBlueprints and construction

Character EducationCharacter Education Responsibility of LeadershipResponsibility of Leadership Social responsibility of GiftednessSocial responsibility of Giftedness Introspective JournalingIntrospective Journaling

Inventing Self Inventing Self ©©

Inventing Self Inventing Self ©©The Responsibility of leadership…The Responsibility of leadership…

““As society grows into a more cooperative society, the As society grows into a more cooperative society, the importance of finding emerging leaders has become crucial. importance of finding emerging leaders has become crucial. Not only should these potential leaders be identified, but Not only should these potential leaders be identified, but also their talents need the opportunity to develop. As a also their talents need the opportunity to develop. As a result, result, leadershipleadership education continues to be a concern in education continues to be a concern in giftedgifted education. However, it remains an abstract concept education. However, it remains an abstract concept that is often ignored in school curricula (Karnes & Stephens, that is often ignored in school curricula (Karnes & Stephens, 1999). Many districts do not equate 1999). Many districts do not equate leadershipleadership education education with traditional academic education, and teachers often do with traditional academic education, and teachers often do not receive proper training in not receive proper training in leadershipleadership skill skill development. Consequently, development. Consequently, studentsstudents are given limited are given limited opportunities to develop their potential.”- Amy Bislandopportunities to develop their potential.”- Amy Bisland

Literature LoversLiterature Lovers

Once Upon A DramaOnce Upon A Drama EXCEL Student original book started last year, EXCEL Student original book started last year,

transferred to script and play!transferred to script and play!

The Hunger GamesThe Hunger Games by Suzanne by Suzanne CollinsCollins

“…“…a survival contest on live TV in which teenagers fight to the death a survival contest on live TV in which teenagers fight to the death and there can only be one victor.”and there can only be one victor.”

Kids Are AuthorsKids Are AuthorsScholastic Book FairsScholastic Book Fairs

Students use their Students use their reading, writing, and reading, writing, and artistic talents to create artistic talents to create their own book.their own book.

Students work in teams Students work in teams of 3 or more.of 3 or more.

Deadline: MarchDeadline: March Winning books will be Winning books will be

published and distributed published and distributed throughout the country.throughout the country.

Twenty-five books will Twenty-five books will receive Honorable receive Honorable Mention & $200.00 in Mention & $200.00 in merchandise.merchandise.

http://teacher.scholastic.com

““The difference between a The difference between a successful person and others is not successful person and others is not

a lack of strength, not a lack of a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in knowledge, but rather a lack in

will.”will.”

Vince LombardiVince Lombardi

Science Science OlympiadOlympiad

www.soinc.orgwww.soinc.orgThe Science Olympiad Mission is to promote and improve The Science Olympiad Mission is to promote and improve student interest in science and to improve the quality of student interest in science and to improve the quality of science education.science education.

The Specific Purposes Of Science Olympiad Tournaments Are:The Specific Purposes Of Science Olympiad Tournaments Are: To bring science to life, to show how science works, to emphasize To bring science to life, to show how science works, to emphasize

problem solving aspects of science and the understanding of problem solving aspects of science and the understanding of science concepts.science concepts.

To develop teamwork and cooperative learning strategies among To develop teamwork and cooperative learning strategies among students.students.

To make science educations more exciting so that more students To make science educations more exciting so that more students will enroll in science courses and engage in other science will enroll in science courses and engage in other science activities. activities.

To promote high levels of achievement and a commitment to To promote high levels of achievement and a commitment to excellence, to demonstrate that students can perform at levels excellence, to demonstrate that students can perform at levels that surpasses expectations of even practicing scientists and that surpasses expectations of even practicing scientists and engineers.engineers.

Science Olympiad Science Olympiad CompetitionCompetition

Open Space Stewardship Program

In January of 2006, the Office of Educational Programs (OEP) at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory launched the Open Space Stewardship Program as part of its GREEN Institute. GREEN stands for "Gaining Research Experience in the Environment." The program fosters partnerships between schools and land stewards in their local communities. Students in grades K through 12 perform environmental research on undeveloped land owned either by a public or private agency.

(Retrieved from http://www.greenossp.org/)

This program is designed to:- help students to learn about the scientific process through working with real-life data in the field- benefit land stewards in the management of their property- promote science literacy- encourage students to consider careers in science and technology- foster a sense of civic responsibility and respect for open space property.

EXCEL’s Natural History EXCEL’s Natural History ProjectProject

Mr. John Leita and Mr. Peter Walsh will oversee the historical Mr. John Leita and Mr. Peter Walsh will oversee the historical research process through multifaceted methods of research process through multifaceted methods of acquiring valid and reliable information. This project, acquiring valid and reliable information. This project, supported by expert Scientists and Historians, supported by expert Scientists and Historians, encompasses the quintessential partnership of hands-on, encompasses the quintessential partnership of hands-on, inquiry based research for students, as they seek a deeper inquiry based research for students, as they seek a deeper understanding of our community. understanding of our community.

Interdisciplinary exploration of Islip’s natural historyInterdisciplinary exploration of Islip’s natural history Journey of scientific research and discovery within the Journey of scientific research and discovery within the

context of the Open Space Stewardship Programcontext of the Open Space Stewardship Program

““To be yourself in a world that is To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest something else is the greatest

accomplishment.”accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson

Future City Competition is taking the year

off!

21st Annual Poetry Contest21st Annual Poetry ContestIndividual Poems & Class Individual Poems & Class

AnthologiesAnthologies

January - MarchJanuary - March

EXCEL-lent Guests and EXCEL-lent Guests and Opportunities!Opportunities!

Mr. Steven HananiaMr. Steven Hanania Robotics: Creative Explosion! Robotics: Creative Explosion! Kids In Action Youth ConferenceKids In Action Youth Conference Allisyn Ashley Arm, Disney’s Allisyn Ashley Arm, Disney’s

acclaimed young actor who plays Zora on “Sonny With a Chance”. acclaimed young actor who plays Zora on “Sonny With a Chance”. Essay contest: “Identify a need for change in your school, Essay contest: “Identify a need for change in your school, community, or globally. Explain why we need this change and how community, or globally. Explain why we need this change and how it would make life better.” Leadership Rocks!!it would make life better.” Leadership Rocks!!

Cooper Union School of EngineeringCooper Union School of Engineering Guided tour of building at Guided tour of building at Cooper Square by Assoc. Dean Ben-AviCooper Square by Assoc. Dean Ben-Avi

Mr. Paul Rodriguez Mr. Paul Rodriguez Author, Illustrator, Choreographer, ActorAuthor, Illustrator, Choreographer, Actor Mr. Stephen Mitchell Mr. Stephen Mitchell AIA, LEED AP Associate, Architecture and AIA, LEED AP Associate, Architecture and

Engineering presentationEngineering presentation Professor Toby Cumberbatch Professor Toby Cumberbatch develop sustainable solutions to develop sustainable solutions to

problems facing remote regions of the developing world. problems facing remote regions of the developing world. Africa (Africa (Ghana, Mali, Rwanda and Burundi - with a bit on Burkina Ghana, Mali, Rwanda and Burundi - with a bit on Burkina Faso and Kenya)Faso and Kenya)

Mr. Michael Hults Mr. Michael Hults served in Iraqi Freedom in both Kuwait and Iraq served in Iraqi Freedom in both Kuwait and Iraq as an engineer platoon leaderas an engineer platoon leader. Expert in the field of alternative . Expert in the field of alternative energy solutions energy solutions

Mr. Craig Ruyle, P.E. Mr. Craig Ruyle, P.E. ASCE President, MET sectionASCE President, MET section

Sixth Grade:Sixth Grade:Fridays- periods 2,3,&4 (semester 1) Bag Lunch Fridays- periods 2,3,&4 (semester 1) Bag Lunch

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seventh & Eighth Grade:Seventh & Eighth Grade: Depending upon selection, each student will come to EXCEL Depending upon selection, each student will come to EXCEL for 2 periods each weekfor 2 periods each week

Please note:Please note:Students are responsible for making up missed work and additional Students are responsible for making up missed work and additional work time will be encouraged during lunch, after school and at work time will be encouraged during lunch, after school and at various times to adequately prepare students for the rigorous various times to adequately prepare students for the rigorous endeavor in which they participateendeavor in which they participate

Student contracts will be sent home this WednesdayStudent contracts will be sent home this Wednesday

EXCEL OnlineEXCEL Online

EXCEL EXCEL identificationidentification

calendarcalendar scholarship scholarship

opportunitiesopportunities competition competition

opportunitiesopportunities needed needed

supplies supplies Summer Summer

opportunitiesopportunities

student student collaboration collaboration

curriculumcurriculum assignmentsassignments competitionscompetitions upcoming upcoming

eventsevents

http://juliacjohnson.pbworks.com/

Islip School DistrictExcel Program