River Bend Middle School Spectrum Program September 25, 2017 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. Eligibility Information: Gifted Information Night LCPS Administration Building Room 102 A&B Wednesday, Sept. 27, 7-8 p.m.
SIGN–IN SHEET Name Child’s Name Your Email Interested in Volunteering? THANK YOU!
ABOUT ME...
What is Spectrum? LCPS program for intellectually gifted students. Students: Learn through discovery, research & application ⬜ Expand intellectual curiosity ⬜ Develop initiative, creativity & leadership ⬜ Increase their understanding of the relationships ⬜ amongst the disciplines Strengthen critical thinking skills ⬜ Pursue special interests ⬜
Methods of Instruction ▶ Using deductive reasoning to solve mysteries & other complex problems ▶ Learning to build consensus ▶ Collaboration on multi-faceted projects ▶ Internet research to enhance learning
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.
Assessment ▶ Ongoin g, self and teacher ▶ Formal semester report to parents ▶ Personalized narrative comments ▶ 4 Skills: Thinking, Research, Interactive, and Independent Learning ▶ Assessment Report sent : January & June
Supplies for SPECTRUM Same for 6 th - 8 th grade: Optional: ▶ Calculator * Composition Book ▶ Smartphone (off until *Pocket folder labeled directed otherwise) SPECTRUM , w/ paper ▶ Colored Pencils *Writing utensil ▶ Highlighter *Agenda Book
WHEN is Spectrum Class? 6 th & 7 th grade • Every other day, all grades • 1/2 of the block, 37 or 42 min • Instead of Resource block 8 th grade ◦ Both Spectrum and Resource ◦ 42 min of Spectrum
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 ☺
Spectrum So Far… 6 th – Mandalas 7 th – Personalized license plates What am I? 8 th – Riddle Poems
Grades 6 & 7 Curriculum Semester 1 ▶ Ethics & Perspectives: Medical Mystery ▶ Technology & Engineering : Team problem-solving challenge, using math and critical thinking Semester 2 ▶ Business & Economics : Stock Market Game/Ad Agency ▶ Communication & Culture : Pacific Rim, Languages
Grade 8 Curriculum (subject to change) Semester 1 ▶ Ethics & Perspectives: Lifestyle Auction, Integral Ethics ▶ Technology & Engineering : Fuel Cell or other Eng. Challenge Semester 2 ▶ Communication & Culture : Independent Study, Regional or National Contest entry ▶ Business & Economics : Stock Market Game/World of 7Billion
Grade 7 Field Trip: TBA ▶ Possibility - Natural History Museum, Forensic Program, “Q?rius” ▶ Timeframe: Fall 2017/Spring 2018 ▶ Need 8+ volunteer chaperones
National Jr 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 ⬜ CTY Imagine Magazine and Cogito.org (for young ⬜ scientists) Website
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 Sherri.Robinson@lcps.org
YOU’RE INVITED! Magnet School Info Night RBM Alums at TJ/AOS Return to Share Q&A Mid-October
Academy of Science • Dominion High School • Competitive Entry-Essay & Letters of Recommendation • Students attend AOS on alternating days • PSAT@Dominion, Sat. October 14. Not needed for AET • December 2: California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) • January 20: Finalist Assessment California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST), writing prompt and interest statement • March 2018: Admission offers on Admissions Portal • April 2018: Students must accept or decline
TJHSST Important dates September 29 – Application Deadline ⬜ *November 18 – Test Day *(December 3 - Inclement weather test day) *Sat., February 3 – Essay and SIS given New admissions tests: ACT-Aspire and Quant-Q.
Thank you very much for coming to Spectrum Back-to-School Night and for caring about your child’s education.
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