Welcome to Target!

Mr. Bill McAllister

Meet Your Target Teacher

▪ Mr. Bill McAllister

▪ 3rd Grade

▪ 5th Grade

▪ 17th year in Cobb County

▪ 8th year in Gifted Services

Our Mission

To prepare gifted students for an ever-changing global marketplace where innovation is key and where they must be self-reflective, goal-oriented problem-seekers and solvers

Can both of these groups of equations be true?

▪4 + 5 = 9▪7 + 4 = 11▪3 + 7 = 10▪9 + 3 = 12▪7 + 1 = 8

▪8 + 5 = 1▪7 + 8 = 3▪9 + 8 = 5▪7 + 9 = 4

The Mindset for the Gifted Program

▪ Ted Talk

Our Target Classroom

▪ OK to take risks and make mistakes!

▪ Self-directed learners

▪ Active Listening

▪ Engaged participants

*WE SUPPORT & ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER*

Our Target Classroom

Gifted Programming Objectives

▪ STEM

▪ Communication through writing and speaking

▪ Advanced Research

▪ Social Responsibility outside of the classroom

▪ Technology Requirement (multi-media presentations, digital tools)

▪ Advanced Algebraic Reasoning

▪ All of these things are taught through THEMES

▪ UNITS are a thing of the past!

How We Get There

Concrete Abstract

Simple Complex

Product Process

Fewer Facets Multi Faceted

More Structured More Open

Guided Facilitated

I am interested in HOW your child thinks, not just whether or not he/she can get the correct answer.

The ALP Program is process-driven. Our ultimate goal is for students to meet the

standards. The content and activities help us reach these goals.

▪ In standards-based instruction and assessment:

–Standards provide the what.

–Instruction provides the how.

–Assessments are used to determine the student level of mastery.

The Core of Quality Instruction

Gifted Standards

Instructional Focus - 3rd Grade

3rd Grade (1st Semester)

Algebraic Reasoning – Hands on Equations (Level 1)

STEM – “Geronimo” [Parachute Exploration]

Affective Growth – VIA Character Traits

Critical Thinking – Logic Puzzles, Creativity Activities

Relationships & Connections – Genius Hour

Instructional Focus - 5th Grade

5th Grade (1st Semester)

Algebraic Reasoning – Hands on Equations (Level 3)

STEM – Coding and Programming with LEGO NXT Robotics

Affective Growth – Long Term Goal Setting

Critical Thinking – Logic Puzzles, Creativity Activities

Relationships & Connections – Genius Hour & Green City Challenge

Typical Target Day

▪ Cognitive Growth (Convergent/Divergent/Evaluative)– Problem Solving– Logic Puzzles– Brain Teasers– Pre-Algebraic/Algebraic Reasoning– Creative Thinking (FFOE)– Inquiry

▪ CCGPS Extension– Research– Connections– Debate– Discussions– Products– Technology Integration

Typical Target Day

▪ Affective Growth– Goal Setting– Self & Peer Reflection– Collaboration with other students– Communication with others– Respectful members of the community– Self-directed learners

▪ Performance Based

▪ Selected Response

▪ Constructed Response

▪ Informal

How are assessments gathered in Target?

Target Progress Report

• Aligns with the Gifted Standards

• The expectations increase in complexity across grade levels

• Administered quarterly

• Grades NOT on Synergy

Cobb County Elementary Gifted Progress Report: 20 Student: Grade: School: Target Teacher: HR Teacher:

Successful (S) Consistently and independently demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

Progressing (P) Demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements with support.

Does not meet (D) Limited progress in demonstration of outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

STANDARDS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Annual Review

Critical Thinking Students will utilize higher order reasoning and reflect upon their thinking.

Convergent Thinking Students will reason logically to solve problems and dilemmas using induction and deduction.

Algebraic Thinking Students will reason algebraically.

Divergent Thinking Students will think creatively to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions to problems.

Evaluative Thinking Students will evaluate and solve a variety of authentic problems.

Relationships & Connections Students will make relationships and connections among various topics and disciplines.

Communication Students will interact and exchange ideas, feelings, information, thoughts and knowledge with others.

Collaboration Students will work towards a common goal with shared accountability for the final outcome.

Self-Reflection Students will reflect upon their abilities.

Respect for Others Students will be respectful members of their communities.

Self-Directed Learner Students will be self-directed learners.

Quarterly Review A minimum of 7 out of 11 S’s and P’s indicates student is currently meeting essential requirements for continued placement. M = Meets continuation criteria for this quarter D = Does not meet continuation criteria for this quarter; probation in effect.

Q1: Q2: Q3: Q4: Annual Review

Gifted services are recommended for the following year if: student has met continuation criteria 3 out of 4

quarters AND

received a minimum of 1 “S” per standard in at least 7 out of 11 standards over the course of the academic year.

Yes

Yes

Probation

No

1st Quarter Attendance:

2nd Quarter Attendance:

3rd Quarter Attendance:

4th Quarter Attendance:

Assessment Indicators

• (S) Successful: When a student consistently and independently demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

• (P) Progressing: When a student demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements with support.

• (D) Does not Meet: When a student has limited progress in demonstration of outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

IMPORTANT!!

▪ I am reporting your child’s progress at the standards, NOT grading your child in Target.

▪ Progressing is NOT equivalent to a “C”

▪ P’s and S’s mean that your child is being successful in Target

Schedule

▪ One full day a week 8:00-1:50

▪ Lunch–3rd 11:14-11:44–5TH 12:03-12:33

–Specials with homeroom class.

Expectations

▪ Advanced Level Projects

▪ Above & Beyond

▪ Homework

▪ Task Commitment

▪ Accountability

▪ Role Models

▪ Come to class each week prepared (NO Backpack)– Agenda, Target binder, pencil, paper, lunch/money, snack,

book – Binder organized

Prevailing Practices

• Gifted students are not expected to make up missed regular classroom work or homework on scheduled Target day

• Target homework permitted on Target day• Students are responsible for missed work

due to absence • Appointments on Target days • Review EAGLE Update and agenda daily

▪ Continuation Criteria – Located at the bottom of the progress report

▪ Probation - When a student does not meet continuation criteria, he/she will be placed on probation (18 weeks minimum) with strategies implemented to help them become successful.

Probation/Removal/Re-entry

Home/School Communication

• EAGLE Update in Agenda – behavior• E-mail (BEST-please place child’s name in

subject line)• William.Mcallister@cobbk12.org

• Blogs• Conferences• Phone calls

• 678-594-8023

Recognizing Good Behavior: My Whole School

▪ Students earn points for good behavior

▪ Accumulate points to earn an Excellent Eagles hat and pins

▪ Coming Soon: Login to your student’s account to see their progress

High

Five

Teacher “Wish List”

▪ Individually Wrapped Candies

▪ Playground Equipment/Balls

▪ Plastic Baggies–Sandwich, gallon,

and/or snack sizes

Questions