River Bend Middle School Spectrum Program September 26, 2018 Kelly Hoover, M.Ed. khoover@lcps.org Gifted Services grades 6-8 Loudoun County Public Schools
This evening’s presentation is designed for parents of students currently enrolled in SPECTRUM. E ligibility Information: Gifted Information Night October 3, 7-8 p.m. LCPS Admin. Building, Rm 102 A&B
SIGN-IN Name Child’s Name Your Email Interested in Volunteering? THANK YOU!
ABOUT ME...
By the NUMBERS... 17 Years in Education, MS & HS 8 Years Teaching in LCPS 4 Years at RBMS 3 Grades serviced - 6, 7, 8 2 Clubs: OM & Academic Decathlon 1 RBM ‘18 Ranking @ Academic Decathlon!
What is Spectrum? LCPS’ program for identified intellectually gifted middle school students.
Spectrum Students will... ⬜ Learn through discovery, research & application ⬜ Expand intellectual curiosity ⬜ Develop initiative, creativity & leadership ⬜ Strengthen critical thinking skills ⬜ Pursue special interests
Methods of Instruction Using deductive reasoning to solve mysteries & other complex problems 7th graders preparing an artifact exchange and deductive reasoning lesson for local elementary school students
Collaboration on multi-faceted projects
Learning To Build Consensus Math Problem-Solving: Building on each others’ ideas to determine the time needed to catch their suspect if they travel by bike
Internet research to enhance learning Students investigate food-borne illnesses to determine the cause of symptoms in a recent outbreak.
3 Goals of LCPS Gifted Program Students will: ▶ Become divergent thinkers who recognize problems and solve them. ▶ Construct personal meaning & understanding of themselves & the world around them . ▶ Develop the capacity to self-assess & take ownership of the learning.
WHEN is Spectrum Class? 6 th & 7 th grade • Every other day, all grades • 1/2 of the block, 40 min • Instead of Resource block 8 th grade ◦ Both Spectrum and Resource ◦ 40 min of Spectrum
Supplies for SPECTRUM Same for 6 th - 8 th grade: Optional: ▶ Calculator *Chromebook ▶ Smartphone (off until *Writing utensil directed otherwise) *Pencil Pouch ▶ Colored Pencils *Agenda Book ▶ Highlighter
A note about SPECTRUM time: ▶ A special service for identified students, like those for other special groups ▶ Students expected to be present for the whole SPECTRUM time ▶ No “pulling” a student from SPECTRUM for re-teach or re-test ▶ GIVE FULL EFFORT in SPECTRUM
Creativity is ENCOURAGED!! Spectrum students are encouraged to take risks in their problem-solving in Spectrum. Middle School is a great time to try something new!! “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” –Einstein
Spectrum So Far… 6 th – Visual Name Enigmas 7 th – Personalized License Plates What am I? 8 th – Riddle Poems
Grades 6 & 7 Curriculum Semester 1 ▶ Ethics & Perspectives: Crime-Solving Mystery ▶ Communication & Culture: Dig It! Archaeology Semester 2 ▶ Business & Economics : Food Truck Proposal Competition ▶ Technology & Engineering: Engineering Design Challenge
Grade 8 Curriculum Semester 1 ▶ Ethics & Perspectives: Crime-Solving Mystery, Integral Ethics ▶ Communication & Culture : Independent Study, Regional or National Contest entry Semester 2 ▶ Business & Economics : Stock Market Game ▶ Technology & Engineering : Engineering Design Challenge
Assessment ▶ Ongoin g, self and teacher unit ▶ Formal semester report to parents ▶ Personalized narrative comments ▶ 4 Skills: Thinking, Research, Interactive, and Independent Learning ▶ Assessment Report sent : January & June
National Junior Honor Society ▶ Open to current 8 th graders ▶ Academic scholarship, extra-curricular activity, character, community service, and leadership ▶ Meant to promote academic success and service
Odyssey of the Mind Teams Creative Problem-Solving Team Contest WEBSITE: www.odysseyofthemind.com
Outside Resources for Parents ⬜ Hoagies Gifted site: www.hoagiesgifted.com ⬜ JHU-CTY, Duke TIP and SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted- sengifted.org)
Outside Offerings of Interest to You and Your Child, Now & Later ▶ Clubs: Odyssey of the Mind, Math Counts, Science Olympiad, Leo Club, Habitat Club ▶ Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth http://cty.jhu.edu school code:2016502 ▶ Grade 7: JKCF Young Scholars Program: www.jkcf.org ▶ Grade 8: Thomas Jefferson HSST, AOS, AET
8 th graders Considering TJHSST & Academies of Loudoun Ms. Sherri Robinson, School Counselor TJ & Academies of Loudoun Liaison Spectrum Counselor Sherri.Robinson@lcps.org
Academies of Loudoun: Academy of Science & AET • Competitive Entry-Essay & Letters of Recommendation • Students attend AOS & AET on alternating days • October 13: PSAT ( Only needed for AOS, Calculator Needed) Location: Academies of Loudoun • December 8: California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) • January 12: Finalist take California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST), writing prompt, and interest statement • March/April 2019: Admission offers on Admissions Portal • April 2019: Students must accept or decline
TJHSST Important Dates *Full-Day, Four-year *September 28 NOON– Application Deadline *November 10 – Test Day (ACT Aspire & Quant-Q) *January 18 - Semifinalist Notification *Sat., February 9 – Essay and SIS given *Tues., April 30 - Final Notifications Sent
Thank you very much for coming to Spectrum Back-to-School Night and for caring about your child’s education. Odyssey of the Mind Interest Meeting follows in Library, 7pm.
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