Mathematics Materials: iReady Math and Math Olympiads
iReady: Daily, we will be using iReady math books, computerized games, and extensions to master and advance in Utah's common core mathematics.
Math Olympiads: One of the most influential and fun-filled math competition programs in the United States and throughout the world, with over 120,000 students from every state and 39 countries participating. The objective is to teach multiple strategies for out-of-the-box problem solving, develop mathematical flexibility in solving those problems, and foster mathematical creativity and ingenuity.
What to expect: Proficiency Based Learning in Math: Student proficiency scores are intended to reflect academic proficiency. They are intended to include what a student knows and is able to do, therefore, recorded grades can change as students make progress toward mastery. Homework and practice assignments are used to guide students toward proficiency or mastery and will not directly affect their report card proficiency level 1-4 Students will have the opportunity to retake any assessment that affects their proficiency score that will be reported on their report card. AT HOME: Mastery of multiplication facts, practice assignments (approx 10 minutes) are used to guide students to proficiency or mastery and will be assigned 2-3 times per week.
Language Arts Materials: William & Mary, Jacob's Ladder, Junior Great Books, Future Problem Solvers, Greek and Latin Roots, and many additional supplemental accelerated extensions. We will master Sentence Structure, Presenting, Creative Writing, Cursive, Journal Response, Grammar, Figurative language, Narrative, Opinion, Informative, and Persuasive Writing. In addition, we will practice digital literacy.
William & Mary: The development of exemplary curriculum frameworks and units of study for classroom use with high-ability learners, an emphasis at the Center for Gifted Education. W&M materials are grounded in the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM), which is designed to respond to gifted learners' characteristics of precocity, intensity, and complexity through its three dimensions of advanced content, higher level processes and product development, and interdisciplinary concepts, issues, and themes.
Junior Great Books: A strong, inquiry-based language arts program that refines and extends students’ skills in reading, thinking, and communicating. The program is a model of student-centered learning in which students work with complex ideas and rigorous texts. The program uses well-crafted, multicultural reading selections that are rich in ideas and invite a number of interpretations. Through consistent use of the program students develop their reading and thinking skills by asking questions, formulating and sharing their opinions, and supporting their ideas with evidence from the selections they read.
Jacobs Ladder: A learning journey for students which begins with targeted readings from fables, myths and nonfiction sources and moves through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of the texts read.
Future Problem Solvers:Develops the critical and creative thinking skills necessary to adapt to a changing world., Increases awareness of the future., Enhances communication & collaboration., Utilizes an effective creative problem solving model encouraging youth to actively shape their future. in a motivating competition.
What to expect: Proficiency Based Learning in ELA: Student proficiency scores are intended to reflect academic proficiency. They are intended to include what a student knows and is able to do, therefore, recorded grades can change as students make progress toward mastery. Homework and practice assignments are used to guide students toward proficiency or mastery and will not directly affect their report card proficiency level 1-4 Students will have the opportunity to retake any assessment that affects their proficiency score that will be reported on their report card. We work enthusiastically throughout the week to complete all work in class, but at times, may need to be completed at home. AT HOME: Students are expected to study/memorize Greek and Latin roots and read for 20 minutes daily, complete unfinished classwork, and/or re-do any assignments desired.
Science Strands & Materials: Strand 5.1: CHARACTERISTICS AND INTERACTIONS OF EARTH’S SYSTEMSStrand 5.2: PROPERTIES AND CHANGES OF MATTERStrand 5.3: CYCLING OF MATTER IN ECOSYSTEMS. Mystery Science, Nearpod, & GSD Lessons
What to expect: My teaching philosophy is based around hands-on, collaborative learning. I believe that science should be inquiry based, which encourages students to ask questions and solve them through trial and error in labs and with their peers. Students will be participating in many labs throughout the year. Students will also be expected to keep a science notebook as we gather information. Students will be assessed using the PBL proficiency scale 1-4. AT HOME: Science Fair Project, Sphere project
Social Studies Topics and Materials: U.S. History, Self Government, Exploration & colonization, Government, U.S. World Power and Influence, Current Events, War: Cause and Effect., and Research. Resources: Studies Weekly Newspaper, NewsELA, TedEd, CNN10, and varied GSD approved resources.
What to expect: Students must be engaged in the learning process, therefore in our classroom, I will facilitate what students need to make connections to their own lives. We will benefit from discussions and debates over a variety of U.S. historical topics; students will benefit from their peers. We will explore, reenact, and re-think outcomes. Social Studies is more than just a textbook, more than passing a benchmark or getting a 4 on a paper; Social Studies is an ever growing, ever evolving study of human life and the events that have built our society into what it is today. My classroom will feature thought provoking lessons for each student, allowing every child to express his or her opinions and find connections within the textbook. The lessons will reach beyond simple comprehension and allow students to fully synthesize the information at hand. The students of today are the architects of the future, but they must first understand the foundations of history. As a teacher, it is my goal to make sure that students are not simply turning the page but absorbing the information that will affect them for a lifetime. We will do a great amount of cross-curriculum with Social Studies and Language Arts. AT HOME: National History Day Fair
Additional Debate and Innovation: State of Utah Debate for Elementary Materials and Research
What to expect: Innovation is completed 100% in class and presented to peers in a "Shark Tank" presentation It is about connecting ideas in different ways to create something new. Students will participate in debate and will provide an opportunity for students to enhance their critical thinking and reasoning abilities. It also provides an environment where academic development and good communication skills are promoted and rewarded. Final Class qualifiers will attend district debate and possibly move on to state debate. AT HOME: parents/guardians are expected to participate by making sure their students attend the debate qualifiers at the district/state.