Fostering Creative Productivity Through Enrichment Clusters Luella Elementary

Fostering Creative Productivity Through Enrichment Clusters Luella Elementary Lion Cubs Dr. Carla Montgomery Principal Dr. Catherine Schreiber Gifted Collaborative Teacher

Inception

Begin With the End in Mind • The Goal - Authentic enrichment opportunities resulting in creative productivity for all of our students • The Challenges – Lack of funding, teacher/parent buy-in, scheduling

Inspiration

Renzulli’s School-wide Enrichment Model • “All students, from struggling learners to our most advanced students do better in an atmosphere that values diversity among fellow students’ talent areas and unique strengths, and a broad range of learning options that are designed to promote high levels of achievement, creative productivity, motivation, and respect for the uniqueness of each student. " Dr. Joseph Renzulli

“A Rising Tide Lifts all Ships”

Implementation

LES Timeline for Implementing Enrichment Clusters Week 1: Staff development for all faculty and staff: v What is an enrichment cluster v Enrichment cluster resources v Research base v Policies and procedures

LES Timeline for Implementing Enrichment Clusters Week 2: Learn about the interests of students. If I Ran the School Interest Inventory Enrichment cluster committee - Match student interests to disciplines and create grade bands for possible clusters.

LES Timeline for Implementing Enrichment Clusters Week 3: Faculty and staff choose a cluster to develop based on their interests that match those of students.

Thoughts on Developing Your Own Enrichment Cluster • Reverse the teaching equation. • Students are the young professionals – you are the coach. • Inductive teaching makes each cluster unique. • Model your cluster after real-world situations.

Guidelines for Developing an Enrichment Cluster • First, select a topic. • Examine and explore key questions: v What do people with an interest in this topic or area of study do? v What product do they create and/or what services do they provide? v What methods do they use to help them carry out their work?

Now It’s Your Turn • Discuss with a partner or small group the Inspiration sheets in your folder. • Decide on a possible cluster you might consider facilitating. (There are helpful examples in your folder. ) • Discuss the answers to the questions on the to Developing an Enrichment Cluster sheet in your folder. • Please feel free to ask questions as we circulate.

LES Timeline for Implementing Enrichment Clusters Week 4: Create a Power. Point describing each cluster and put a link on the school website. v Spring Enrichment Clusters Week 5: Send home parent letter explaining clusters along with choice sheets for each grade level. v Parent Letter v Grade Level Choice Sheet

LES Timeline for Implementing Enrichment Clusters Week 6: Register students in clusters. Week 7: Create rosters for clusters and homeroom teachers. Cluster roster Week 8: Clusters begin! First meeting reminders

After the Clusters • Facilitator Evaluations – Overwhelmingly positive for the three sessions we have completed. The committee has addressed all suggestions for improvement. • Student Evaluations – Our latest data shows that 92% enjoyed their cluster and 76% learned something new. • Parents also had nothing but positive comments for us.

Quotes from LES Students • “These clusters are amazing, because you learn new things. ” – Amber • “Is it Monday or Cluster Day? ” – Josiah • “I liked actually doing something!” – Lanariah • “When I came to this school, I didn’t even know what a cluster was and now I love them!” – Demetrius • “Clusters are fun!” – Kaitlin

Enrichment Cluster Video

You might be thinking… • Okay, we can tell the LES students and staff love enrichment clusters, but how did making time in the regular school day for them affect your test scores?

CCRPI Score Comparison

Increase in Student Achievement as Measured by CRCT - Three Year Trend

Goals for Next Year • Involve even more community and parent partners. • Increase the rigor of the clusters. • Celebrate our success with a Cluster Fair. • Use a data base to streamline cluster registration. • Conduct a formal parent survey.

Dr. Carla Montgomery, Principal Carla. Montgomery @henry. k 12. ga. us Dr. Catherine Schreiber, TAG Catherine. Schreiber @henry. k 12. ga. us Luella Elementary School Henry County Schools 575 Walker Rd. Locust Grove, GA 30248