Explorer and Innovator Parent Information Night Kathy Whitlock [email protected] 945-5700 January 2015.

Explorer and Innovator Parent Information Night

Kathy [email protected] 2015

ClassesExplorers (Grades K-2, retested at

the end of second grade) Innovators (TAG Grades 3-5)Challengers (Not pulled by me,

receive enrichment through classroom teacher- Grades 3-5)

ScheduleEvery week

Monday- 2nd grade ExplorersTuesday- 3rd grade TAGWednesday- 4th grade TAGThursday- 5th grade TAGFriday am-1st grade Explorers, 2

½ hoursFriday pm- Kindergarten

Explorers 1 ½ hours

Testing

Once a year for each grade level No TAG Pull-out during testing weeks

New referrals grades K-5 were tested December 1st-18th

2nd Grade Explorer reassessment will be during class in May

We use three criteria for testing- a cognitive abilities test, an academic achievement test, and referral rating scales from teachers and parents.

Curriculum Logic, critical and creative thinking, algebra readiness Word study (Grades 3-5- SAT words, Greek and Latin

roots) Power Hour- students have the opportunity to

demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research and communication with the goal of development of advanced-level products and performances

Habits of Mind- social/emotional skills (Instant Challenges, Common Thread)

Humanities 1st- Early American settlements 2nd- Ancient Greece 3rd- Settlement of Mexico 4th- Ancient Rome 5th- Feudal system and Renaissance

In my class Hard work is expected. Students do not receive grades for Explorers/TAG, but

will bring home an Explorers/ TAG semester report. Students are not responsible for classwork missed

during TAG time, but are responsible for tests and homework.

Students are expected to complete classwork and assignments to leave for TAG (Students should not have missing work).

Gifted students have the opportunity to work with other gifted students.

One way students receive instruction is through using Sandra Kaplan’s Depth & Complexity strategies.

In the homeroom classes Students have the opportunity to

receive gifted services in the four core subject areas (language arts, science, math, social studies) when needed through differentiation.

Your child’s teacher documents differentiation in his/her lesson plans.

You can ask your child’s teacher how your child is receiving differentiation.

Parent Center Your child may have an “E” listed for an

assignment on their Explorer/TAG day. This means that the student has been excused from this assignment they missed.

Your child’s grade book entries may be different from their classmates, because they may “test out of” an assignment or be given an alternate assignment.

Communication Pertinent information is shared on the class

website “For Parents” section. Events are listed on the website calendar. Monthly newsletter Parent Advisory Council Email is the quickest mode of communication,

but I will return phone calls as soon as possible. Join remind for updates! Code: 81010, text subject @rmet.

Parents can be involved as……Experts in your field•Presenters•Contacts for students…Parent Advisory Council members•Campus level•District level…Volunteers… participants in the annual program survey

JISD’s GT Program You can learn more about our services by

reading “Gifted and Talented Education Program: Parent Guide to Program Options” found on my class website.

The guide explains the nomination process, furloughs, reassessment, exit from services, transfers, appeals, non-English speaking services, and other important data.

Nominations are open to all students.

Acceleration Your child can be tested to skip a grade.

For information about this, contact our counselor, Janae Patterson, at [email protected].

Beyond elementary, acceleration options are available through Credit by Examination and Early High School Graduation.

Beyond Elementary Middle school offers Pre-AP classes and

TAG classes. Both are advanced and offer higher grade points than regular academics. TAG classes offer more grade points than Pre-AP.

Q & A Do you have any questions, concerns?