The Challenge Program 2014-2015 August 21 st, 4:00 Springdale Park Elementary School Ms. Lisa Evans Mr. Steve McKnight Ms. Monica Slack.

The Challenge Program2014-2015

August 21st, 4:00

Springdale Park Elementary SchoolMs. Lisa EvansMr. Steve McKnightMs. Monica Slack

Defining Gifted Students

The Georgia Department of Education defines gifted students as…

“A student who demonstrates a high degree of

intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits an

exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or

excels in specific academic fields, and who needs

special instruction and/or special ancillary services

to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her

abilities.” 

SPARK Challenge Program

• Instruction is centered on various multidisciplinary units that meet the gifted program goals and extend or enrich the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that are being taught in the homeroom.

• We employ a resource (pull-out) model

• Students are served one full day each week– Ms. Evans – Olmsted Building, Room

001– Mr. McKnight –Olmsted Building,

Room 102– Ms. Slack – Olmsted Building, Room

002

Gifted Program Standards

• Gifted Standards and Elements– Matrix of skills that build K-12

• Standards still fall under the following categories:– Advanced Research Skills and

Methods– Creative Thinking and Problem

Solving Skills– Higher Order and Critical Thinking

Skills in Academic Areas– Advanced Communication Skills

*These standards will be taught rigorously to ensure student success in the unit and on the SLO assessments.

Expectations

• Keeps up with all homeroom assignments – student responsibility.

• Strives for excellence on all academic assignments.

• Makes appropriate behavior choices.But also…• Takes risks• Has fun• Asks questions• Helps and learns from each other

Curriculum Highlights• 1st Grade Unit: Zootopia (1st semester);

My Big Backyard (2nd semester)• 2nd Grade Unit: Ch-Changes (1st semester);

Georgia On My Mind (2nd semester)• 3rd Grade Unit:

– McKnight Ch-Changes (1st semester); TBD– Slack Extreme Experimentation (1st Semester)

and Create a Country (2nd semester)• 4th Grade Unit:

• Evans Eureka! The American Gold Rush (1st semester); The Amazing Journey (2nd semester); What in the World: Current Events; and Speech crafters/Debates (1st and 2nd semester integration)

• Slack Extreme Experimentation (1st semester); All Systems Go! (2nd semester)

*A more detailed program description will be forthcoming on the SPARK website.

Curriculum Highlights• 5th Grade Unit:

– Evans Make Peace, Not War (1st semester) ;What in the World: Current Events; Speech crafters/Debates; and Jr. Great Books ; Invention Convention (2nd semester)

– McKnight Science in the Kitchen (1st semester); TBD

– Slack Extreme Experimentation (1st semester); Invention Convention (2nd semester)

Curriculum Highlights• Math Notes will be used in every

classroom this year in Challenge.• This organizer is a variation of the

Window Notes research based instructional strategy. It allows students to break down their mathematical thinking into parts to better understand the word problem.

• 8 Mathematical Practices are also being used to widen the students’ mathematical understanding and feel successful in the work that goes into solving one-step and multi-step word problems.

Curriculum Highlights ~Math Notes Graphic Organizer

The FactsWhat are the facts?            

The QuestionWhat question needs to be answered?         

The StepsWhat steps can we take to solve the problem?     

The Diagram and EquationHow can we represent the problem visually?        

 Write a math equation using numbers and a

symbol, for the unknown number, to represent the problem.

Challenge Grading• Gifted Progress Report

– You will receive assessments at the end of each unit (not necessarily at the end of each quarter)

– Indicates student level: developing, proficient, exemplary, or N/A (only on elements that have been taught)

– Different than HR report card (no IC support)

• Homework – Occasionally assigned, especially in 4th and 5th grades.

• Classwork – Student work is maintained in the Challenge binder and will be sent home at the end of the unit. Fourth and Fifth graders will bring binders to class each week.

Motivation Expectations:

• To maintain satisfactory performance in the Challenge classroom, students will:

Demonstrate drive and a desire to succeed.

Work diligently toward class goals or objectives.

Embrace challenges.Work well with minimal teacher

redirection or intervention.If students experience academic or motivational issues, parents will be notified. Failure to make improvements will result in a student being placed on probationary status in the Challenge program.

Communication

• We will communicate primarily through via the Springdale Park website, Challenge tab! It will be updated bi-weekly with instructional updates, due dates, and other information.

• Please subscribe to the SPARK-e newsletter as it will contain pertinent Challenge information as well.

• Telephone–Gifted Department (Ms. Slack’s

room) 404-802-6023–School (404-802-6050)

• We will respond within 48 hours• Please use Challenge teachers as

your first means of contact for any Challenge related questions, concerns, etc.

Miscellaneous• Student Information forms should be

completed and returned as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

• Attendance:– Tardiness or missed days – student

responsibility!– Scheduling appointments

• Supplies – please send in supplies with students if you did not have an opportunity to do so during the first week of class. We rely on supplies donated by Challenge families all year long! Thanks!

Resources

• Georgia Department of Education Resources on Gifted Education– http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_iap_gi

fted.aspx

– https://www.georgiastandards.org/resources/Pages/Tools/GiftedEd.aspx

• APS Gifted and Talented Website– http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/domai

n/128

• Springdale Park Website – www.springdaleparkelementary.org

Teacher Assignments

• Ms. Lisa Evans –All of 1st grade; ½ of 4th grade (Butler & Thurman) and 5th grade (Ms. Riggins & 1/3 of Mrs. Hall)

• Mr. Steve McKnight – All of 2nd

grade, ½ of 3rd Grade (Lockwood & Neal) and 5th grade (Mr. McKie & 1/3 of Mrs. Hall)

• Ms. Monica Slack – ½ of 3rdgrade (Badger, English, & Windham); ½ of 4th grade (Naman & Southcombe); and 5th grade (Ms. Redel & 1/3 of Mrs. Hall)