Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome to Back to School Night Spectrum Teachers Lyndria Bland 8th grade Eligibility Coordinator Heather Jackson 6th & 7thgrades

2. Spectrum is the Loudoun County Public School Middle School program designed to meet the needs of 6th, 7th and 8th grade intellectually gifted students.

3. Expectations in Spectrum • Exercise critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills • Respect the ideas and opinions of others • Strive to build group cohesiveness

4. Expectations in Spectrum • Use creativity, curiosity, and imagination • Expand oral and written communication skills • Enhance technology skills through STEM units and Google Classroom

5. Scheduling Reminder for Spectrum Students 6/7th grade: The block is split between Spectrum and a music or art elective- Students do not have resource. • Example of a 6/7th grade schedule • Block 2 Band, Strings, Art, or Chorus (first half) • Block 2 Spectrum (second half) 8th grade: Students have resource. The block is split between resource and Spectrum.

6. K-12 Goals for LCPS Gifted ProgramOur units are designed to connect to these goals 1) To become divergent, creative thinkers who recognize problems and solve them. 2) To construct personal meaning and understanding of others and of the world around them. 3) To develop the capacity for self-assessment (ownership of the learning). • Adapted from Re-thinking Curriculum for the 21st Century, by Art Costa

7. What DO we do in Spectrum? • Use deductive reasoning and above grade level math skills to solve complex mathematical problems as part of an engaging detective scenario • Learn to come to a consensus using synergistic decision-making skills as part of authentic simulations • Practice inquiry and investigative skills using technology to enhance understanding

8. Devise solutions to authentic, “real-world” situations and problems using Project/Problem Based Learning Units • Utilize collaborative skills on multiple team projects/products • Participate in challenging national & local competitions: Continental Math League eCybermission Step Up Loudoun

9. LCPS Spectrum Curriculum Themes • Business and Economics • Communication and Culture • Technology and Engineering • Ethics and Perspectives *These 4 categories are covered by various units over the Middle School Spectrum curriculum in 6-8th Grade.

10. 6th & 7th Grade Curriculum: Year 2 Business and Economics:  Environmental Park Communication and Culture: American Sign Language Ethics and Perspectives : Synergistic decision- making skills for Authentic Simulations Socratic Seminar-Cloning Above Grade Level Math: Continental Math League Math Detective Mystery

11. 6th , 7th, 8th Grade Winter Competitions • Technology and Engineering: eCybermission is a national STEM competition Step Up Loudoun is a local youth community competition.

12. Inquiry Learning: Now It’s your turn! Please iSearch these 2 sites now on your devices to learn more to assist your child: 1. eCYBERMISSION www.ecybermission.com 2. Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition http://www.loudounyouth.org/programs-2/the-step-up-loudoun-youth-competition/

13. 8th Grade Curriculum • Business and Economics: Stock Market Game™ as part of a personal finance and investing unit Matildaville: a simulation merging business and engineering skills

14. 8th Grade Curriculum Communication and Culture:  Lifestyle Auction Pacific Rim Technology and Engineering Innovative Technology Design Tiny House Design

15. 8th Grade Curriculum Ethics and Perspectives :  This unit will no longer be a stand-alone unit, but will be incorporated into each of the remaining units. Ethics Personal Project Socratic Seminars  Ethics Theater 

16. 8th Grade Curriculum Above Grade Level Math : Continental Math League Problem Solving and Team building : Barbeque With a Vampire Synergistic Decision Making Skills with Authentic Simulations

17. Applying to T.J.- A.O.S. - A.E.T.Please Note: Only 8th Grade Students Can Apply • On-line registrations • Point of Contact: Guidance Counselors Mrs. Sarah O’Brien and Mrs. Ann Barrett *For All Deadline & Application Reminders: Please check the AET, AOS and/or TJHSST website for updated information often! STRICT DEADLINES!

18. How are Spectrum Students Evaluated? Students are evaluated each semester based on the following four goals: 1. Students will apply complex thinking skills to identify, define, and solve problems. 2. Students will pursue, integrate, and transform information across the academic areas. 3. Students will develop the capacity for effective self-directed learning and authentic and authentic/appropriate self-assessment. 4. Students will demonstrate respect for the ideas, opinions, and perspective of others.

19. Spectrum Semester Teacher Assessment- *A Sample is Provided for You Tonight- Updated Version • It is a Two-Sided Document- Teacher Assessment used cumulatively for 6th , 7th, & 8th Grade. • Each Semester, one is completed by the teacher AND one is completed by the student as their own self-assessment of their learning. • It will be sent home in January and June with report cards for Q 2 and Q 4.

20. Enrichment Opportunities • Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth-*During the School Year -SHMS school code: 2014803 • Summer Enrichment Camps on College Campuses: University of Virginia, Duke, Johns Hopkins • Loudoun County Public Libraries- writing contests, special speakers, seminars • Check the LCPS Gifted website for more options

21. Thank you for coming! • Feel free to contact us by email: heather.jackson@lcps.org 6th and 7th Grade lyndria.bland@lcps.org 8th Grade • The remainder of your evening is in classrooms starting promptly at 6:00pm in Advisory Class according to your child’s schedule.