Redwood City School District GATE Program 2014-2015

1. Redwood City School DistrictGATE Program2014-2015 Parent Orientation Meeting Natalie Sanchez

2. Introductions • Natalie Sanchez • 2nd year teaching the GATE program • North Star Academy • Kennedy Middle School • Specialize in Differentiated Instruction

3. What is GATE? GATE: Gifted and Talented Education These are students whose potential requires differentiated and challenging educational programs or services beyond those provided in the general school program. Redwood City School District • All day pull out program • Differentiated, complex, enriching, and rigorous learning • Homogenous group of gifted students • Grouped by grade level

4. Gifted Learner Characteristics • Asks the questions • Is highly curious • Plays around yet tests well • Discusses in detail, elaborates • Shows strong feelings • 1-2 repetitions for mastery • Is intense • Creates a new design • Enjoys learning • Inventor • Good guesser • Is keenly observant • Thrives on complexity • Initiates projects These are some of the characteristics. For more information visit California Association for the Gifted www.CAGifted.org

5. GATE Learning Objectives • At all grade levels, students will explore, problem solve and use various avenues to address educational challenges.  • They will learn there is no "right way" to tackle concepts.  • Students will also examine GATE characteristics and identify their learning styles. 

6. Social & Emotional Benefits of GATE Program • This is an opportunity for GATE identified students to work together in a homogeneous group.  • Group work and social interactions with gifted students and their peers. • Understanding of GATE characteristics and how that effects one socially and emotionally.

7. GATE Program • 11-13 class meetings (1-2 times per month) during the year including 3 field trips • Program schedule: • Classes meet either Tuesday, Thursday, or Fridays • Students will miss class during Smarter Balance Testing GATCA: Gifted and Talented Children’s Association • Information and support for GATE children • Supports our program-field trips, computers, speakers

8. Expectations • Consistent attendance • Please email or call me ASAP if your child will miss class. Please leave a message at the Selby Lane office after 8:20. • Be Punctual • 8:20-2:30 Regular Day • 8:20-1:30 Minimum Day • Students line up at 404 line outside in morning • Come prepared and ready to learn! • Lunch, snack, water bottle, uniform type clothes • Good Behavior • Especially important due to the design of the class

9. Uniform Policy • Pants or skirts: khaki or black • Shirts or blouses: plain white collar shirt/blouse OR school t-shirt • Sweatshirts: plain black, khaki or light gray OR a school sweatshirt • Coats or Jackets: any style or color except red or blue. No sport jerseys • Shoes: closed toed only • Please go to Selby Lane office if you need of assistance to purchase uniforms

10. Transportation • No buses available for drop off/pick up • Sections are grouped by school • Carpooling is encouraged with your fellow schoolmates • Please allow appropriate travel time to ensure your child is on time to class. • Drivers are needed for field trips –no buses

11. Homework and Materials Needed • No GATE homework • Materials to bring to class • Donations from materials list –simple household items to help supply for design challenges • Water bottle, snack/lunch and uniform • Further learning: • Visit class website to further explore our units. Website will be updated as the year progresses.

12. Sample of 4th Grade Topics • Electricity and Magnetism: Students will experiment with and build different types of circuits. They will combine their knowledge of magnetism and electricity to build an electromagnet for design challenges. • Animal Adaptations: Students will examine adaptions and create a super animals based on their given environment. • World conservation: Students will examine ways perform design challenges to conserve our resources. • Fibonacci: Students will learn about the Fibonacci pattern and create their own designs based on Fibonacci numbers.

13. Sample of 5th Grade Topics • Crime Scene Investigation Mysteries: Students will crack cases using the knowledge they’ve learned about fingerprints, chromatography, and scientific observations of forensic evidence. • Simple Machines:  Students will experiment with levers, pulleys, wheels and axles and solve design challenges using these simple machines. • Mystery Material: Students investigate the properties of common elements and learn how they are organized on the periodic table. They will use tools and tests to separate and identify properties of a mystery material. • Biomimicry: Students will learn how to apply animal adaptions to solve real world problems.

14. Sample of 6th Grade Topics • Renewable Energy: Students will learn about the types of renewable energy and solve real life problems with these energy sources. They will also design a “solar oven” to roast marshmallows. • Bridge Design: Students will apply the concepts of force and energy to solve bridge design challenges. • Ancient Civilizations: Students will connect natural resources with ancient social systems to understand the problems ancient peoples faced. • Our World, Our Lives: Students will investigate different biomes, and the importance of natural resources to their personal lives. Students will design an invention to a real world environmental issue. • Fabulous Physics:  Students will explore the laws of physics through fun activities and experiments.

15. Field Trips • 3 Field Trips each grade level • Field trip permission forms will be sent home in September • Car checks • 24 hours in advance-at YOUR school site (not Selby Lane) • Bring drivers license and insurance card during car check • Booster chair (if under 80 lbs or 8 years)

16. Parent Help • Administrative tasks • collecting materials list items • Arrange carpooling with your school • Field Trips • Organizing drivers and forms • Drivers • Chaperones • Coordinators: One per grade level would be helpful!

17. Questions ??? Contact Info: Natalie Sanchez Selby Lane Elementary School 170 Selby Lane Atherton, CA 94027 Room 404 Selby Lane phone: (650) 368 – 3996 GATE classroom direct line: (650) 482- 5972 There is no voicemail, so email is a better way to contact me

18. Before you leave tonight… • Confirm your child’s enrollment • Fill out a parent/student information form • Complete the Field trip forms-if interested in participating • Field Trip Guidelines for Chaperone • Driver Forms • Please turn them in to the basket • If you are undecided, you can enroll online at www.rwcgate.com Thank you for attending the New Parent Meeting!