Post on 31-Mar-2015
Thurston Middle School: 2013-2014
Amy Cochren: Thurston GATE coordinator
Welcome, GATE parents!
Property tax funded school district High percentage of proficient and advanced students Generosity of School Power and PTASmall district and class sizes Advanced curriculum and opportunities
Unique School Community
Consistency of staffWhole-child approach Investment in professional development
Investment in our students’ 21st century needs
District and School Board focused on excellent education for all
Strong Growth of Thurston
Generous grants and support allow students and teachers to have the best.
We are able to continue to grow and wish while surrounding schools are making funding choices.
PTA and School Power
Classroom sets of computers (4-6) Teacher requests Funding for Track and Field Day, Renaissance Day, Science Camp, Oral History Luncheon, etc
Mandarin Chinese after-school program
Foreign Language promotion Zero period opportunity
Opportunities Given:
Student Choice
Development of Interests
Promotion of Strengths
Development of Weaknesses: find a challenge area whether it is in work ethic, communication, responsibility, involvement on campus, leadership, etc
GATE Student Involvement
Rotation of six classes
Opportunity of zero period
Choice of electives
Offering of academic competitions
Availability of leadership groups (PALs, ASB)
Choice of clubs
Grouping in clusters
Middle School vs. Elementary
science social studies math language arts physical education elective zero period = extra elective
Daily Classes
Math and Language Arts
Opportunity to work with other gifted students and gifted and talented teachers
Differentiation in teaching and learning strategies
Cluster Grouping
Recognize and nurture behaviors of gifted
Create conditions in which all students are stretched to learn
Provide grouping opportunities for gifted students to work within clusters
Are flexible in their teaching style and comfortable in allowing kids more flexibility in their learning behaviors
Teachers of GATE
Techniques in Questioning
Strategies of Assessment
Tiered Assignment Options
Compacting of Curriculum
Facilitation of Leadership
Characteristics of Gifted
Teachers of GATE
Have a strong sense of justice
Possess strong problem-solving abilities
Display a keen sense of humor
Demonstrate more intense emotional or physical sensitivity
Learn rapidly without repetition
Gifted Characteristics
Possess a large store of information about a variety of subjects
Desire to question authority
Develop more of a global awareness
Are passionate in their interest areas
Insatiable curiosity
Characteristics (cont)
Acceleration
Depth
Novelty
Complexity
Teachers will differ the …
Communication home?I was offered choices for a project or assessment.
I was placed in tiered-grouping in order to work on a more complex concept.
I was encouraged to work toward more advanced standards .
Or, will they share… My teacher varied his/her
questioning strategies because I was in a GATE cluster.
My class spent more time on an advanced concept than a non-GATE class .
experience physical growth and intellectual growth but brain development continues into the 20’s focus increases on peer acceptance of
how they see themselves want more control in their choices but benefit in earning that
Middle School Students
Sixth Grade: Ms. C to meet with students at an ESP in November; language arts’ teacher to collect ILP
Seventh Grade: Ms. C to meet with students
Eighth Grade: language arts’ or math teachers available; end of the year with counselors
Don’t be afraid to communicate with us if
your child needs a more thorough plan!
Individual Learning Plans
Promotion of a solid foundation in grammar, reading comprehension, literary analysis, and writing applications
Focus on depth and acceleration with “Above and Beyond” challenges
Differentiated choice in independent reading and writing objectives
Language Arts
Spelling Bee Club Mythology Club Vocabulary Club
Language Arts’ Clubs
Sixth Grade Wheel Physical Education Foreign Language Drama Multi-MediaYear Book Leadership Art Choir and Instrumental MusicHome Economics
Electives
Summer testingPre-AlgebraAlgebra Geometry Cluster grouping
Math Acceleration
Spanish Club French Club Geography ClubScience Olympiad ClubSpelling Bee ClubSAT Vocabulary ClubMythology ClubMath Club
Clubs: See Thurston Homepage
Weightlifting ClubRunning ClubBuddy ClubBroadway Club
* A club can be created by a parent with a teacher sponsorship!
Clubs: continued
Sixth grade students will attend an ESP meeting in November.
We will goal set and discuss opportunities.
Students will receive an ILP form to bring home.
Ms. Schaeffer or I will conference with students when the ILP is returned.
Grade 6: Individual Learning Plan
Seventh grade students will meet with me during language arts’ class.
We will goal set, and students will receive the ILP to bring home.
I will conference with seventh grade students that return the ILP. (optional return)
Grade 7: Individual Learning Plan
Eighth grade students will meet with Ms. Silver during language arts’ class.
They will goal set, and students will receive the ILP to bring home.
She will conference with those students who return the ILP form. (optional return)
Grade 8: Individual Learning Plan
What is it? Support organization for parents of gifted
Resources? Suggested reading; Quarterly publication ; workshops ; annual teacher and parent convention
www.cagifed.org
California Association for the Gifted
A club you might like to sponsor?
An after school activity? A field trip?
We have hosted workshops and trips, but attendance is difficult due to busy schedules!
Any ideas?
Principal’s weekly update School website Teacher blogs Aeries’ online grades School calendar GATE blog Newsletters: fall and spring
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