BIG REDBuilding Innovation Growth and Rigor through Enrichment at Deer Park Junior High

Deer Park Independent School District

Deer Park Independent School District

Program Eligibility

• 8th grade students enrolled in advanced academic courses for high school credit

Building Innovation Growth and Rigor through Enrichment at Deer Park Junior High

Deer Park Independent School District

Program Design• In-depth learning• Interest-based mini-courses• Real-world, problem-solving projects • Presentations and products with professional

evaluations

Deer Park Independent School District

Curriculum

• Increased technology integration• Mini-courses• Field experiences• TPSP (Texas Performance Standards Project)

Deer Park Independent School District

Technology Integration• A different “thinking tool” to help students develop

their critical thinking skills and to deepen their understanding of content

• Develops verbal expression in response to visual stimuli; less hesitation with visual first

• Increase engagement and interaction with content• Wireless setting, college and professional level

integration• Bring Your Own Technology

Deer Park Independent School District

Mini Courses

• Students choose among a variety of topics for in-depth study on relevant issues, including opportunities to apply what they have learned to real-world experiences.

• Not an “extra” elective

Deer Park Independent School District

Field Experiences

• In-school and out-of-school opportunities for students to apply what they have learned in the real-world, or the opportunity to see how what they have learned is applied by professionals in real-world settings.

Deer Park Independent School District

Texas Performance Standards Project• Goal: Gifted students create work reflecting

the professional quality required by the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students

• TEKS-based project with interdisciplinary connections

• Projects evaluated by professionals/experts

Deer Park Independent School District

Courses(A Typical Day for a BIG RED Student)

• Single class periods of: ELA Math Science Social Studies Mini-course Elective 1 Elective 2

Deer Park Independent School District

Social/Emotional Support

• Asynchrony• Perfectionism• Stress• Time Management

Deer Park Independent School District

Family/Community Involvement

• Volunteer and assist with various activities within BIG RED

• Share mini-course ideas• Participate as an adjunct