Curriculum areas we will focus on will be based on themes or big ideas.
They will include:
Explorations: We all have a natural curiosity to explore our world. From the mysterious depths of the ocean to Mars, students will be challenged to go a step beyond the explorers who came before them. Social inequity and effects of nutritional habits on the heart will be examined. Students will discover winter survival tactics and retrace the steps of some famous explores such as Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Lewis and Clark, and Mathew Henson to name a few. Alternative sources of energy, logic, cultural exchange and the effects of ancient inventions on today’s society will be investigated. Students will discover a new world of explorations waiting for them.
Choices: From the easy to the dramatic, choices are analyzed, organized, and categorized in this exciting unit. Students soon realize they make hundreds of choices everyday. We will study decision making strategies such as flow charts, tree diagrams, drawing straws and flipping coins are explored. Students investigate bullying, ethics, nutrition, and positive and negative consequences involved in making decisions. Students compare fractions and make real life choices based upon comparisons. This experience will help students grasp the importance and implications of the choices they make each day.
Balances: Is it possible for our world to ever again be ecologically balanced? Was it ever? What is the connection between the inner ear and sea sickness? We well examine the universal concept balances from many perspectives. Balance in art, government, diet, mathematics and even elevators will be discovered. You might ask, “How are elevators and balance related? You will discover for yourself.
Viewpoints: We will examine the concept of viewpoints from many angles. From the history of child labor laws to optical illusions, studying viewpoints takes students through a variety of critical thinking activities. Students learn to consider other’s perspectives as they learn the process of formal debate. Students re-evaluate their value systems as they are challenged to consider topics such as rich vs. poor, animal right, and hypothetical situations involving difficult decisions. Students will gain a new understanding of the phrase “walk in another’s shoes.
Questions: “To be or not to be. That is the question.” This may be one of the most famous Shakespearean quotes. In this unit the students will discover the play from which the quote came from and the context in which it was written. Students learn about Socrates and his ideas about questioning. The Five W’s are examined as students gather information and put together a variety of multi-media products. Students gain an understanding about how our society has evolved because people in the past were bold enough to ask questions such as “Do you suppose we can put a man on the moon?”
Parents if you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to visit our classroom, schedule a conference, or volunteer to help out, you can contact me at etcoxd@whitehall.k12.oh.us or call 417-5400
To Parents
Whitehall City Schools understands the importance of meeting the individual needs of the learner. Research shows gifted students do better in a safe risk free environment that allows for a differentiated curriculum. This is the best way to meet the day-to-day needs of our gifted students. A differentiated curriculum provides developmentally appropriate material for children giving them the optimum opportunity to learn and to accelerate. I will provide many challenging and stimulating activities every day that directly address each child’s academic needs.
Some of these teaching strategies used to meet the needs of the high achieving learners in the classroom will be:
Curriculum compacting – covering a lesson or unit in a shortened period of time allowing for more in-depth extension activities
Tiered assignments – different activities that address the various learning needs of the students
Learning centers – Stations, or centers, where the children work individually or in groups on a concept or activity. These centers may contain differentiated activities to meet individual needs
Questioning techniques - I will teach the students how to use a variety of questions from simple recall to the analysis and evaluation of information.
I will be creating modified learning opportunities that are designed to challenge the students. In addition, with the help of the media specialist, we will engage the students in activities and experiences that teach web design and power point presentations that will challenge and enrich all children in the classroom, as well as provide activities that stretch the thinking of our students.
I will conduct whole group and small group problem solving activities. Problem solving is a large part of daily life, I will freqently engage children in whole class and small group problem solving activities. These activities are challenging, fun, often using manipulatives, computers, science equipment and always require creative problem solving.
I will conduct small group activities, mini lessons, and guided reading, writing and math groups to meet individual needs.
Some of these teaching strategies used to meet the needs of the high achieving learners in the classroom will be:
Curriculum compacting – covering a lesson or unit in a shortened period of time allowing for more in-depth extension activities
Tiered assignments – different activities that address the various learning needs of the students
Learning centers – Stations, or centers, where the children work individually or in groups on a concept or activity. These centers may contain differentiated activities to meet individual needs
Questioning techniques - I will teach the students how to use a variety of questions from simple recall to the analysis and evaluation of information.
I will be creating modified learning opportunities that are designed to challenge the students. In addition, with the help of the media specialist, we will engage the students in activities and experiences that teach web design and power point presentations that will challenge and enrich all children in the classroom, as well as provide activities that stretch the thinking of our students.
I will conduct whole group and small group problem solving activities. Problem solving is a large part of daily life, I will freqently engage children in whole class and small group problem solving activities. These activities are challenging, fun, often using manipulatives, computers, science equipment and always require creative problem solving.
I will conduct small group activities, mini lessons, and guided reading, writing and math groups to meet individual needs.
Friday, August 28, 2009
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