The Gifted Education Program
recognizes that students possess unique talents across a range of multiple
intelligences. Some students require a
differentiated curriculum and more challenging enrichment opportunities to
realize their full potential. The
G.AT.E. Program integrates critical and creative thinking activities,
independent research, and creative problem solving activities throughout its
curriculum while providing affective education through development of
intelligent behaviors and leadership qualities.
The academic and affective needs of students are best served by the
challenge and stimulation of working with their peers in an enriched environment
that recognizes the diversity of the student population.
As a result
of offering differentiated curriculum and personalized support, the gifted
program provides students with the opportunity to achieve district goals at the
level commensurate with their talent.
They will also be challenged to apply their knowledge and skills in
complex and advanced ways so that they can continue to develop
academically. If provided with the
challenge and support that is needed, these students will become highly
productive citizens who contribute in significant ways to the well being of the
broader community.
I.
Students will
demonstrate and develop creative thinking through participation in activities
that require frequency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration.
II.
Students will
demonstrate strong problem solving skills through the development of critical
thinking, decision-making and reasoning.III. Students will demonstrate creative and independent learning through the design and representation of independent research.
IV. Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills on a variety of topics through the use of different media.
V. Students will cultivate effective interpersonal, intrapersonal, and leadership skills.
VI. Students will develop intrapersonal skills through self-evaluation, effective time management, and identification and development of individual multiple intelligences.
Schedule
Kindergarten: First semester I am in each
class weekly for creativity lessons.
Full GATE classes begin second semester.
First Grade: Wednesday mornings
Second Grade: Tuesday mornings
Third Grade: Tuesday afternoons
Fourth Grade: Monday afternoons
Fifth Grade: Wednesday afternoons
Enrichment students have been brought
into the GATE class to better serve each student and to minimize interruptions
to the regular classroom.
Contact Information
To contact me I highly recommend using email if at all possible. My email is llecours@ucityschools.org. Please let me know the best way to contact
you. I currently am sending email
updates after each class and posting to the Flynn Park GATE Blog on Fridays.
BLOG: www.flynngate.blogspot.com
Curriculum Overview
Through a
variety of units and activities we will:
Introduce, Develop and Apply
Creative Thinking skills
Fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration
Introduce, Develop and Apply
Problem-solving skills
Rules, creative problem-solving, deductive
reasoning, classification, visual/spatial, analogies
Introduce, Develop and Apply
Communication skills
Writing/editing, media expression, oral
presentation
Introduce, Develop and Apply the
Affective Process
Students will cultivate effective interpersonal,
intrapersonal and leadership skills.
Introduce, Develop and Apply
Personal Development skills
Students will develop intrapersonal skills
through self-evaluation, metacognition, effective time management and
identification and development of individual multiple intelligences.
P.E.T.S. Kindergarten
– 5th grade
Primary Education Thinking Skills follows the
taxonomy outlined by Benjamin Bloom, presenting lessons in higher level
thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Kdg – convergent/divergent thinking and
divergent/inventive thinking
1st – convergent/analytical thinking,
divergent/creative thinking, visual/spatial perception and evaluative thinking
2nd – convergent thinking and
divergent thinking
3rd – visual thinking and evaluative
thinking
4th – convergent thinking and divergent
thinking
5th – visual thinking and evaluative
thinking
Equations -
Optional after school activity for 3rd – 5th Graders
Equations is a math game that requires strong problem-solving and math
skills. Equation teams are made up of
five players. There can be many teams
per grade level. Students use addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division and exponentiation. Teams will then participate in
GRC’s Academic Challenge Cup. Parents
are needed to coach these teams. If you are interested please let me know.
First Grade
Flat Stanley
Flat Stanley goes on many adventures. Using the first Flat Stanley book as our foundation we will send flat versions of the students on their own adventures. As the modern flat people travel, we’ll track their travels on maps of the US and the World.
Geography of the US & World
Using the Flat Stanley project as a launch, we’ll learn the basics of our world geography. We’ll learn the continents, oceans, and hemispheres. If our Flat People travel to foreign countries, we’ll also map their locations and compare the distance from St. Louis to all the places our friends visit.
Frog and Toad
The Frog and Toad series of books enables our students to investigate all areas of our curriculum. We’ll do writing activities, math activities and even some science. All activities are based on the stories in the Frog and Toad books. We’ll also work on our reading fluency and vocabulary development through the use of these books.
Second Grade
Fairy Tales
Students will read for and study the components of fairy tales before writing their own version of the Cinderella tale. There are many concepts that are included in fairy tales and in fact make a fairy tale that and not a tall tale, or a fable. We’ll discuss the differences of each of these genres as well.
Hands –On Equations
Second graders will begin the Hands-On Equations program during the second semester. This program introduces the children to the concepts of algebra through the use of number cubes and pawns. You will be amazed that your second graders can solve complex problems using this method and they understand what each component means to the equation.
Third Grade
Hands-On Equations
Hans-On Equations was started during Second Grade. For the continuing third graders we will move on to the second half of the program as well as learn to use it to solve problems they might encounter in the regular classroom. For the students new to GATE a well-trained volunteer is catching the students up to the same level as the continuing students so that they too are ready for the second half of the program.
Mystery Writing
The genre of mystery book is growing every year. Many books being considered for awards this year are mysteries. In this unit the students will learn the components of a mystery, read a mystery, solve a mystery and finally they will write their own mystery story for all to enjoy.
Math Around the World
Often children believe games are just for the fun of playing or winning. During this unit students will see the math concepts that are imbedded into many common games. At the same time we learn about the country or countries of origin of the games and just how long the game has been around. Students also develop an ability to sustain their concentration as it takes time to master a game.
Fourth Grade
A to Z Books
A to Z books are a fun way to introduce the research process. Students are able to choose a topic that interests them and then they create a book to teach their subject to the rest of the class. Books are placed in the class library for all GATE students to enjoy.
Lewis and Clark
Through individual and group activities students are immersed in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This unit is research intensive and requires a great deal of reading of non-fiction texts. Students will be taught how to research, how to process the information found and then how to present their information to the class.
Maharaja’s Tasks (A Unit on Division)
This unit focuses on the concept of division more than the actual computation of division facts. This will give me an insight into how your child processing mathematical concepts. If the students are showing a firm grasp on the concepts, we move very quickly and the activities are adjusted to meet the students’ abilities.
Fifth Grade
Stock Market
Game
Students will become Stock Market
Savvy! Students will create investment
companies, learn about investing in the market, investigate various companies,
and determine which stocks they want to purchase. We will participate in a
friendly competition to see which investment company can make the most profit. Games run in the fall and spring. Students have the potential to be region
winners and attend a dinner at Wells Fargo Advisors in April.
Money Math-
5th Grade
Students will learn the foundations
of our money system and how to become a millionaire through sound financial planning. They will research and present to the class
the education needed to pursue their current career goal and how much it costs
and what the reward is for attending college.
Inventions – 5th Grade
Students will learn
about previous inventions, how to maintain a journal to document their
invention and finally INVENT their own item.
This will involve research, team and individual work as well as creative
thinking.
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