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Enhancing Student Success in the Thurston GATE Program: 2011-2012 Overview

Welcome to the 2011-2012 Thurston GATE Program, led by coordinator Amy Cochren. This unique school community, funded by property tax revenue, prides itself on proficient and advanced student percentages, small class sizes, and a whole-child educational approach. Our dedicated staff provides advanced curricula, individualized learning opportunities, and resources generated through PTA support and grants. With an impressive array of extracurricular activities, electives, and rigorous academic standards, we strive to nurture gifted students while meeting their 21st-century needs.

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Enhancing Student Success in the Thurston GATE Program: 2011-2012 Overview

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  1. Welcome, GATE parents! Thurston Middle School: 2011-2012 Amy Cochren: Thurston GATE coordinator

  2. Unique School Community • Property tax funded school district • High percentage of proficient and advanced students • School Power and PTA generosity • Small district and class sizes • Advanced curriculum and opportunities

  3. Strong Growth of Thurston • Consistency of staff • Whole-child approach • Investment in professional development • Investment in our students’ 21st century needs • District and School Board focused on excellent education of all

  4. PTA and School Power • 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.

  5. Opportunities Given: • 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

  6. GATE Student Involvement • 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

  7. Middle School vs. Elementary • 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

  8. Daily Classes • science • social studies • math • language arts • physical education • elective • zero period = extra elective

  9. Cluster Grouping • Math and Language Arts • Opportunity to work with other gifted students and gifted and talented teachers • Differentiation in teaching and learning strategies

  10. Teachers of GATE • 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 • Be flexible in their teaching style and comfortable in allowing kids more flexibility in their learning behaviors

  11. Teachers of GATE • Techniques in Questioning • Strategies of Assessment • Tiered Assignment Options • Compacting of Curriculum • Facilitation of Leadership • Characteristics of Gifted

  12. Gifted Characteristics • 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

  13. Characteristics (cont) • 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

  14. Teachers will differ the … • Acceleration • Depth • Novelty • Complexity

  15. But, will students say… • I was offered choices for a project or assessment… • I was placed in a tiered-grouping in order to work on a more complex concept… • I was encouraged to work toward more advanced standards …

  16. 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 the non-GATE class

  17. Middle School Students • 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

  18. Individual Learning Plans • 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!

  19. Language Arts • 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

  20. Language Arts’ Clubs • Spelling Bee Club • Mythology Club • Vocabulary Club • Shakespeare Club • Book Club • Writing Club

  21. Electives • Sixth Grade Wheel • Physical Education • Foreign Language • Drama • Multi-Media • Year Book • Leadership • Art • Choir and Instrumental Music • Home Economics

  22. Math Acceleration • Summer testing • Pre-Algebra • Algebra • Geometry • Cluster grouping

  23. Clubs: See Thurston Homepage • Spanish Club • French Club • Geography Club • Science Olympiad Club • Spelling Bee Club • SAT Vocabulary Club • Shakespeare Club • Mythology Club • Book Club

  24. Clubs: continued • Weightlifting Club • Running Club • Buddy Club • Broadway Club • Math StarsClub * A club can be created by a parent with a teacher sponsorship!

  25. Math Stars Coach Needed • Parent coach • Sixth and Seventh grade students • Once a week for several months (could meet at lunch, late start Friday 8-9, or after school) • Competition in the spring • Materials are available • Contact Amy Cochren or Stacy Quirarte

  26. Grade 6: Individual Learning Plan • 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.

  27. Grade 7: 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)

  28. Grade 8: 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)

  29. California Association for the Gifted • What is it? Support organization for parents of gifted • Resources? Suggested reading; Quarterly publication ; workshops ; annual teacher and parent convention www.cagifed.org

  30. Any ideas? • 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!

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

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