Welcome GATE parents Amy Cochren Language Arts 7

Welcome, GATE parents! Amy Cochren Language Arts 7 GATE Coordinator

My Hero Project l After School Program with Wendy Milette l Research l Learn video production skills l Creation l Visit of a personal hero of hero video www. myhero. com l Tuesdays after school

California Association for the Gifted l Quarterly publication l Professional Development for educators l Support for parents of gifted l 47 th annual convention for teachers and parents in March. Visit the link for more information: www. cagifed. org or link on GATE blog

Middle School vs. Elementary l Elective Choice l Six to Seven different teachers/classes a day l Clubs l Competitions l PAL organization l Leadership Class

Cluster Grouping l Math and Language Arts l Opportunity to work more closely with other GATE students and a GATE teacher l Differentiation strategies in teaching and learning

Differentiation l. Acceleration l. Depth l. Novelty l. Increased Complexity

Students forget to share: 1) My teacher offered choices on an assessment 2) My teacher varied his/her questioning strategies because I was in a GATE cluster 3) My group was given a more complex task in a classroom activity today. 4) My teacher is able to add depth or complexity to our lessons as a result of having a cluster of GATE students in the class. 5) My teacher offered choices on an assignment, test, or project so that I could go “Above and Beyond”.

GATE Teachers are trained in : l Questioning techniques l Assessment strategies l Creation of tiered assignments l Curriculum compacting l Individualizing projects l Facilitating the development of leadership within the classroom

GATE Teachers Are Asked To: l Recognize and nurture behaviors of gifted l Create conditions in which all students are stretched to learn l Provide grouping opportunities for gifted students to work within clusters l Be flexible in their teaching style and comfortable in allowing kids more flexibility in their learning behaviors

Characteristics of GATE students l l l A strong sense of justice Insatiable curiosity Strong problem-solving ability Keen sense of humor Demonstration of intense emotional or physical sensitivity Rapid learning without repetition Possesses a large store of information about a variety of subjects Desire to question authority Perfectionism Global awareness Passionate in interest areas

Math Acceleration l Summer testing for incoming 5 th grade l Pre-Algebra l Geometry l Cluster grouping

Language Arts l Pre and post testing l Vocabulary Power Enrichment l Scripps Spelling Bee Enrichment l Independent Reading Choice and Recommendations l Development of Insight with Response to Literature l Advancement in writing

Electives l l l l l Sixth Grade Wheel Foreign Language Drama Multi-Media Year Book Leadership Art Choir and Instrumental Music Home Economics

School Power Grants l Technology l My in the Classroom Access! l Computers on Wheels l Zero Period l Individual Teacher Grants l Renaissance Faire

Clubs: See Thurston Homepage l Spanish and French l Geography l Science Olympiad l Spelling Bee l Vocabulary Power l Shakespeare Club l Anime Club

Clubs: continued l Weightlifting l Running l Soroptomist l Chess l Buddy Club l Broadway Club l Math Stars

Three D’s to Succeed: l Dedication l Desire l Discipline

GATE Student Involvement l Student Choice l Development of Interests l Promotion of Strengths l Development of Weaknesses: find a challenge area whether it is in work ethic, communication, responsibility, involvement on campus, leadership, etc

Communication l Thurston Homepage and GATE blog l Aeries and Progress Reports l GATE Newsletters (mailed home) l Email teachers for requests

Individual Learning Plans l Sixth Grade: complete ILP form and return to Ms. Schaeffer or Ms. Cochren l Seventh Grade: during class with Mrs. C l Eighth Grade: end of the year with counselors Don’t be afraid to communicate with us if your child needs a more thorough plan!

Math Stars Coach Needed l Parent coach l Sixth and Seventh grade students l Once a week for several months l Competition in the spring l Materials are available