Mrs. Lynch Challenge - SRT - 3

Warm Up:Language EquationsCan you figure out whateach letter stands for tomake a true statement?Example24 H in a D24 Hours in a Day• 5 D in a Z C• 7 W of the A W• 9 I in a B G• 10 A in the B of R• 13 S on the A F• 26 L of the A• 29 D in F in a L Y

The Challenge ProgramSpringdale Park Elementary SchoolMrs. Amanda LynchMr. Steve McKnight2011-2012

Defining Gifted StudentsThe Georgia Department of Educationdefines gifted students as…“A student who demonstrates a high degree ofintellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits anexceptionally high degree of motivation, and/orexcels in specific academic fields, and who needsspecial instruction and/or special ancillary servicesto achieve at levels commensurate with his or herabilities.”

Gifted Program Goals„ Advanced Research Skills and Methods„ Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills„ Higher Order and Critical Thinking Skills in Academic Areas„ Advanced Communication Skills„ Understanding the Impact of our Giftedness on our Social andEmotional Well-Being

SPARK Challenge Program„ Instruction is typically centered on various multidisciplinary unitsthat meet the gifted program goals and extend or enrich theGeorgia Performance Standards (GPS) that are being taught inthe homeroom.„ We employ a resource (pull-out) model„ Students are served one full day each week‟ Mr. McKnight ‟ Room 001‟ Mrs. Lynch ‟ Hirsch House, Room 103

Expectations„ Keep up with all homeroom assignments„ Maintain a qualifying GPA„ Satisfactorily complete all Challenge assignments„ Exhibit proper behaviorBut also…„ Take risks„ Have fun„ Ask questions„ Help and learn from one another

Curriculum Highlights„ 1 st Grade‟ Who’s Eating Who? (Plants and Animals)‟ Do Opposites Always Attract? (Magnets)‟ Are You Following Me? (Shadows)„ 2 nd Grade‟ Life Cycles‟ Another World Entirely (Solar System)‟ Native Americans„ 3rd Grade‟ Xtreme Xperiments‟ Digging Up Our Past (Archeology)‟ It’s All Greek to Me (Mythology, Art and Architecture)‟ Architecture

Curriculum Highlights„ 4th Grade‟ Data (Learning Styles, MS Excel)‟ Ecosystems (Owl Pellets)‟ Water, Water Everywhere (Photography, iMovie)‟ Force and Motion/Simple Machines‟ Cooking with Fractions„ 5th Grade‟ Micromatter‟ Debate: The Ethics of Genetics‟ Inventing the Future‟ Erupting with Knowledge (Constructive/Destructive Forces)

Challenge Grading/Policies„ Students receive a Gifted Progress Report with their report cards each quarter‟ Rated from Level One (Needs Improvement) to Level Four (Exceptional; ExceedsExpectations) in four Curriculum Goals‟ Different than HR report card (No IC support)„ Homework ‟ Rarely assigned unless students are not completing their projects in class(please note that your student may choose or desire to do work at home); Familyactivities/suggestions may be sent home„ Portfolios ‟ Student work is maintained in their Challenge binder in our classroomand will be sent home at the end of the year

Communication„ We will communicate primarily through email‟ Weekly Bulletins‟ Other Updates as Necessary„ Telephone‟ Mrs. Lynch (404-802-6023)‟ Mr. McKnight (404-802-6011)‟ School (404-802-6050)„ We will respond within 48 hours„ Please use us as your first means of contact for any Challenge relatedquestions, concerns, etc.„ Contact us to schedule conferences

2011-2012 Challenge Trip„ Florida (Kennedy Space Center, Epcot, Busch Gardens)‟ November 7 ‟ 11 (Monday ‟ Friday)‟ $450 students ($475 adults)„ California (San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles)‟ Spring Break, (6 days, 5 nights)‟ $1794 - $1996 (varies on number of participants)„ Italy/Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Rome)‟ Summer, July 9-18‟ $3,452 students ($3,857 adults)

Miscellaneous„ Parent/Guardian Survey„ Attendance„ Lab Coats‟ Bring them back ‟ Ordering information will be sent home soon„ Hirsch House (Mrs. Lynch)‟ Rain Coats, Boots, and Umbrellas„ Supplies„ Thank You‟ We are doing well on class donations! Please know there will be opportunities todonate supplies for instruction throughout the year.

Resources„ Georgia Department of Education Resources on Gifted Education‟ http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_iap_gifted.aspx‟ https://www.georgiastandards.org/resources/Pages/Tools/GiftedEd.aspx„ APS Gifted and Talented Website‟ http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/domain/128„ Springdale Park Website‟ www.springdaleparkelementary.org

Questions/Comments/Concerns?