Islip School District

1. Excel Maud SherwoodElementary Commack Road Elementary Islip School District Mrs. Johnson Mrs. Singleton

2. Ability to handle abstraction Power of concentration Ability to memorize and learn rapidly Altruism Humor (sometimes inappropriate) Commitment Inquisitive nature Nonconformity Stubborn Self-direction Leadership qualities Creative Innovative Diverse interests Advanced vocabulary Keen observation Curiosity Concern Overdeveloped sense of justice What does it mean to be “gifted”? …in addition to all of the “normal” attributes of kids!!

3. Advantages of “Pull-out” Programs • Gifted students make the greatest progress when they are grouped homogenously and offered a differentiated curriculum • Opportunity to interact with students with similar, unique interests • Students are exposed to wider and deeper knowledge • Departure from ‘regular’ curriculum • Does not separate gifted students from peers

4. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Life the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau

5. Curriculum & Instruction • The EXCEL curriculum is created to be sufficiently rigorous, challenging and coherent to meet the needs of diverse students. • The goal of the EXCEL Program is to produce well educated, knowledgeable students who have worked hard to master substantial bodies of knowledge; who thought clearly and critically about that knowledge; and who can demonstrate presentational skills used for authentic purposes.

6. EXCEL Curriculum Content: • Content is related to broad-based themes. • All curricular areas are integrated into the unit of study. • Curriculum allows for an in-depth learning within an area of study. Process: • Activities evoke higher level thinking. • Curriculum is open-ended and encourages self-discovery. • Group interaction and proof of reason is encouraged to help students strive for supporting answers with evidence: more than one right answer. • Learning process allows students “ownership” of their learning. Product: • Encourages the development of products that challenge existing ideas and produce new ideas. • Encourages the development of products that use newly, learned techniques. • Evaluate student outcomes by using appropriate and specific criteria through the use of self and group reflection, student portfolios and show cases.

7. Mysteries • Logic Problems • The Math Detective by Terry Husted • Clue Me In • The Adventures of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle • “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe • The Mystery of Harris Burdick by Chris VanAllsburg • Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss Oobleck Dactyloscopy The Fine Art & Science of Fingerprinting Crime Lab Chemistry Chromatography Simulated Blood Investigation -Perform blood typing test -Determine the Rh factor of blood samples Fourth Grade

8. The Science of Cryptology Can you decipher this message? srehpic dna sedoc fo dlrow terces eht ot emoclew Welcome to the secret world of codes and ciphers Fourth Grade

9. Codes and Ciphers • Learn the historic development of codes and ciphers • Learn to decode and encode secret messages • Distinguish between codes and ciphers • Promote creative and critical thinking skills • Stimulate divergent thinking and deductive reasoning abilities • Recognize and use alternate forms of communication • Understand the application of codes used by various professions Fourth Grade

10. “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” E. B. White

11. Passion for Poetry Fifth Grade • Rhyme and sound • Imagery • Figurative language • Comparison and contrast • Shape • Introspection • Reflection • Metaphors • Similes • Personification • Onomatopoeia • Alliteration • Self-image • Emotional Force

12. Passion for Poetry Fifth Grade Thoughts... • We must stop trying to define poetry and move towards teaching poetry creatively • Poetry should be integrated with other subject areas as much as possible • Successful poetry units help students develop a lifelong personal relationship with poetry • Create a safe and open environment, as students share without fear

13. Creating and Constructing Fifth Grade • Bubbleology • Bridges • Soma Cubes • Geoboards • Geodesic Domes • Oriental Brush Painting • Mousetrap Racecars

14. EXCEL-lent Upcoming Events • Fourth Grade: Marine Archeology “Underwater Mystery” with Mr. Bret Curlew • Fifth Grade: Cooper Union Engineering Experience "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the people to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."- Antoine De Saint-Exupery

15. Schedules Fourth Grade Thursdays 10:20-12:20 10:00 bus @ SES 10:10 bus @ CRES Fifth Grade Tuesdays 10:20-12:20 10:00 bus @ SES 10:10 bus @ CRES

16. EXCEL Online Wiki e-board • EXCEL identification • calendar • scholarship opportunities • competition opportunities • needed supplies • Summer opportunities http://juliacjohnson.pbworks.com/ • student collaboration • curriculum • assignments • competitions • upcoming events

18. Questions and Answers • Yes, your child is responsible for work missed while attending EXCEL • Once a child enters EXCEL, they remain in the program unless there is a specific reason for removal • Question for you : Would you prefer to have documents such as permission slips available through the e-board?

19. Thank you for joining us tonight! Islip School District EXCEL Program