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Mrs. Schar’s SPECTRUM Information Night

Join us for an informative evening to learn about SPECTRUM, our gifted education program. Discover how SPECTRUM challenges students beyond the regular curriculum, develops critical thinking skills, and prepares them for future success. Topics include curriculum, goals, and assessment. Sign up to volunteer if interested!

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Mrs. Schar’s SPECTRUM Information Night

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  1. Mrs. Schar’s SPECTRUM Information Night Welcome Parents!

  2. Welcome to Middle School SPECTRUM • I will give you a brief introduction to SPECTRUM, gifted education thoughts, and explain classroom basics. Please let me know if you have questions or you can write them down along with your email if you'd like to continue the conversation later. • This year will be a tremendous experience for your child!!!

  3. What is SPECTRUM? • SPECTRUM seeks to develop the intellect of the students  through inquiry and investigative process which asks them to make informed decisions, to exhibit sound judgment, to think critically, to solve problems rationally, and to exhibit creativity, often through authentic applications or “real-world” situations.

  4. Why SPECTRUM? • It challenges students beyond the regular curriculum through instructional emphasis and increased frequency on higher level thinking processes. • It offers positive intellectual risk-taking without fear of grades. • It develops initiative, creativity, and leadership. • It encourages students to excel in their areas of interest and strengthens critical thinking skills. • It challenges them to inquire, investigate, reason, communicate, and to collaborate with depth. • It prepares students to be lifelong learners, and prepares students for more challenging work in the future.

  5. Gifted Program Goals • •To become divergent thinkers who recognize problems and solve them. • •To construct personal meaning and understanding of others and of the world around them. • •To develop the capacity for self-assessment and take ownership of one’s learning.

  6. SPECTRUM Goals We have four main goals in SPECTRUM: • Students will apply complex thinking skills to identify, define and solve problems. • Students will pursue, integrate, and transform information across academic areas. • Students will develop the capacity for effective self-directed learning and authentic and appropriate self-assessment. • Students will demonstrate respect for the ideas, opinions and perspectives of others.

  7. SPECTRUM Topic Areas: Business and Economics Communication and Culture Ethics and Perspectives Technology and Engineering

  8. Class Content and Goals • We will cover all the subjects and topics that the LCPS gifted program expects, plus pursue the student's academic and personal interests.  The SPECTRUM curriculum remains fluid and offers varied learning opportunities based on student readiness and trends.  SPECTRUM is highlighted by an integrated curriculum approach.

  9. The four core academic disciplines of mathematics, science, language arts, and social science are interwoven throughout the curriculum.  This supports LCPS goals with OttW. One to the World = content integration = One to the World Actual units of instruction and application may vary as the backgrounds, interests, and needs of the students change.  Every student will be asked to complete an independent study.  Real World Problem Solving

  10. SPECTRUM Schedule • 6th and 7th Grade • During 45 minute resource period • Entire year • 8th Grade • Block schedule • 45 minutes for SPECTRUM • 45 minutes for resource   

  11. Year Two - '19 – '20 6th/7th Survivals - Desert Problem Solving – Independent and Cooperative  Mind Benders /  Divergent Thinking Simulations – IF - Investigating the Future  Multiple Intelligences – Brain Investigation Communications -  American Sign Language, Cultural Inquiry Economics – Park Design Math/Problem Solving  - Continental Math Competition/Logic Problems

  12. 8th Grade • Synergistic Decision Making –Survivals – Whitewater/ Caribbean • Decision Making – Lifestyles Auction/Trials /Learning Styles • Problem Solving – Step Up Loudoun, Matildaville, NIMBY, ECybermission • Economics – NIMBY, Small Business exploration • Analyzing & Socratic Seminars – Student run Socratic Seminars • Math/Problem Solving -  Space Exploration, Continental Math Competition • Ethics - NIMBY, Trials, Lifestyle Auction, SDM • Resume Writing

  13. Assessment • Ongoing teacher observations as well as evaluation of completed activities and projects. • Classroom observations include checks for effort and participation.  Much like an annotated reading record. • Rubrics for activities • Self - assessment and reflection • Formal semester report to parentsin January and June • Assessment in critical and creative thinking, problem solving, communication, leadership, intellectual curiosity, and cooperative learning.

  14. Volunteers • Are you a party person? • A specialist in your field? • Would you feel confident leading small groups of students? • If you answered yes to any of these, please indicate your interest on the sign up sheets, or take a VOLUNTEER SHEET. I’d love to have you here. • Important to be confidential so we must have agreement on file with me. Thanks!

  15. All About Me • My Background • I attended UC, Santa Barbara B.A.);  CS, Northridge (Licensure Program); and George Mason University (M.Ed.). • My Experience • I’ve been teaching for many years in both public and private schools, and love teaching gifted education. • I am eager to work with all of you, and hope that we can talk early and often this year.  Call me!  Volunteer!

  16. Let’s Have a Great Year!

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