Thurston Middle School: 2013-2014

Amy Cochren: Thurston GATE coordinator

Welcome, GATE parents!

Property tax funded school district High percentage of proficient and advanced students Generosity of School Power and PTASmall district and class sizes Advanced curriculum and opportunities

Unique School Community

Consistency of staffWhole-child approach Investment in professional development

Investment in our students’ 21st century needs

District and School Board focused on excellent education for all

Strong Growth of Thurston

Generous grants and support allow students and teachers to have the best.

We are able to continue to grow and wish while surrounding schools are making funding choices.

PTA and School Power

Classroom sets of computers (4-6) Teacher requests Funding for Track and Field Day, Renaissance Day, Science Camp, Oral History Luncheon, etc

Mandarin Chinese after-school program

Foreign Language promotion Zero period opportunity

Opportunities Given:

Student Choice

Development of Interests

Promotion of Strengths

Development of Weaknesses: find a challenge area whether it is in work ethic, communication, responsibility, involvement on campus, leadership, etc

GATE Student Involvement

Rotation of six classes

Opportunity of zero period

Choice of electives

Offering of academic competitions

Availability of leadership groups (PALs, ASB)

Choice of clubs

Grouping in clusters

Middle School vs. Elementary

science social studies math language arts physical education elective zero period = extra elective

Daily Classes

Math and Language Arts

Opportunity to work with other gifted students and gifted and talented teachers

Differentiation in teaching and learning strategies

Cluster Grouping

Recognize and nurture behaviors of gifted

Create conditions in which all students are stretched to learn

Provide grouping opportunities for gifted students to work within clusters

Are flexible in their teaching style and comfortable in allowing kids more flexibility in their learning behaviors

Teachers of GATE

Techniques in Questioning

Strategies of Assessment

Tiered Assignment Options

Compacting of Curriculum

Facilitation of Leadership

Characteristics of Gifted

Teachers of GATE

Have a strong sense of justice

Possess strong problem-solving abilities

Display a keen sense of humor

Demonstrate more intense emotional or physical sensitivity

Learn rapidly without repetition

Gifted Characteristics

Possess a large store of information about a variety of subjects

Desire to question authority

Develop more of a global awareness

Are passionate in their interest areas

Insatiable curiosity

Characteristics (cont)

Acceleration

Depth

Novelty

Complexity

Teachers will differ the …

Communication home?I was offered choices for a project or assessment.

I was placed in tiered-grouping in order to work on a more complex concept.

I was encouraged to work toward more advanced standards .

Or, will they share… My teacher varied his/her

questioning strategies because I was in a GATE cluster.

My class spent more time on an advanced concept than a non-GATE class .

experience physical growth and intellectual growth but brain development continues into the 20’s focus increases on peer acceptance of

how they see themselves want more control in their choices but benefit in earning that

Middle School Students

Sixth Grade: Ms. C to meet with students at an ESP in November; language arts’ teacher to collect ILP

Seventh Grade: Ms. C to meet with students

Eighth Grade: language arts’ or math teachers available; end of the year with counselors

Don’t be afraid to communicate with us if

your child needs a more thorough plan!

Individual Learning Plans

Promotion of a solid foundation in grammar, reading comprehension, literary analysis, and writing applications

Focus on depth and acceleration with “Above and Beyond” challenges

Differentiated choice in independent reading and writing objectives

Language Arts

Spelling Bee Club Mythology Club Vocabulary Club

Language Arts’ Clubs

Sixth Grade Wheel Physical Education Foreign Language Drama Multi-MediaYear Book Leadership Art Choir and Instrumental MusicHome Economics

Electives

Summer testingPre-AlgebraAlgebra Geometry Cluster grouping

Math Acceleration

Spanish Club French Club Geography ClubScience Olympiad ClubSpelling Bee ClubSAT Vocabulary ClubMythology ClubMath Club

Clubs: See Thurston Homepage

Weightlifting ClubRunning ClubBuddy ClubBroadway Club

* A club can be created by a parent with a teacher sponsorship!

Clubs: continued

Sixth grade students will attend an ESP meeting in November.

We will goal set and discuss opportunities.

Students will receive an ILP form to bring home.

Ms. Schaeffer or I will conference with students when the ILP is returned.

Grade 6: Individual Learning Plan

Seventh grade students will meet with me during language arts’ class.

We will goal set, and students will receive the ILP to bring home.

I will conference with seventh grade students that return the ILP. (optional return)

Grade 7: Individual Learning Plan

Eighth grade students will meet with Ms. Silver during language arts’ class.

They will goal set, and students will receive the ILP to bring home.

She will conference with those students who return the ILP form. (optional return)

Grade 8: Individual Learning Plan

What is it? Support organization for parents of gifted

Resources? Suggested reading; Quarterly publication ; workshops ; annual teacher and parent convention

www.cagifed.org

California Association for the Gifted

A club you might like to sponsor?

An after school activity? A field trip?

We have hosted workshops and trips, but attendance is difficult due to busy schedules!

Any ideas?

Principal’s weekly update School website Teacher blogs Aeries’ online grades School calendar GATE blog Newsletters: fall and spring

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