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Navigating the Cluster Classroom. Unlocking the Mystery of Program Collaboration. Unfolding the Map. Welcome! District Goals (5 minutes) Needs Assessment (5 minutes) Collaboration & Solution Seeking (15 minutes) A Map for Success (15 Minutes) Collaborating for Excellence (15 minutes).
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Navigating the Cluster Classroom Unlocking the Mystery of Program Collaboration
Unfolding the Map Welcome! District Goals (5 minutes) Needs Assessment (5 minutes) Collaboration & Solution Seeking (15 minutes) A Map for Success (15 Minutes) Collaborating for Excellence (15 minutes)
X Marks the Spot District Goals: • Student Engagement • Data Driven Instruction • Professional Collaboration and Growth X
Orienting the Compass Which areas tend to be the most difficult when working with gifted students in a cluster classroom? • Scheduling & Management 104346 • Using Data to Differentiate (Data) 104351 • Organizing differentiated activities(Engagement) 104376 • Communication (Collaboration) 104401 • Other 104423 Text your response to 37607.
Charting the Course Together Teachers have said: • We’re not sure what curriculum is being covered while students are at ALPHA. • We feel that we have to catch students up when they return because they seem lost. • It is really hard not to introduce new concepts when ALPHA students are gone. What are we supposed to do on those days? • The ALPHA students haven’t always mastered the grade level curriculum. • We aren’t sure what else to do with the ALPHA students. What resources are there? • The ALPHA parents and students can be intense and we want to make sure we are meeting their needs. • ALPHA students panic and think they have too much work and as a result their parents panic. (Sometimes they can’t see the relevance of what we are doing in the cluster classroom.) • Sometimes ALPHA friends unintentionally act condescending towards classmates, teachers, and curriculum.
Charting the Course Together Parents have said: • Our kids are stressed easily by things that seem minor to us but are major to them. Please consider rearranging seats, changing groups, announcing field trips, reviewing for major assessments, etc. when the ALPHA students are present. • Homework duplication on ALPHA nights is unreasonable and is very frustrating. • ALPHA students worry incessantly that they’ve missed content while at ALPHA. • We aren’t always sure what is going on in class and feel especially lost when our kids aren’t sure what’s going on either. • Sometimes scheduling is confusing and students end up eating lunch at both campuses, missing holiday parties, field day, assemblies, etc. because they’re at ALPHA. • Sometimes teachers and/or administrators have acted as if going to ALPHA is a privilege and that ALPHA students “get” to do something special or that they are playing over at ALPHA and not really working. This attitude is frustrating for parents and students.
Solution Seeking Possible Concerns Possible Solutions • Misunderstandings/ Miscommunication • Homework Stresses • Scheduling Nightmares • Attitude Issues • Content & Differentiation • Organization • Other • Newsletter, Weebly, Wiki, Email • 3/5th rule • Communication, review, RTI • Openness and understanding • PBL, DesCartes, MISD curriculum, colleagues, 2.0 • Pocket charts, stations, contracts, ALPHA meetings
Mystery UnveiledThe ALPHA curriculum • On a two year cycle… but continuously updated • TEKS on grade level and up to two years above grade level with a focus on depth and complexity. • Project based learning • Toshiba Exploravision Program • William and Mary Curriculum • Math Olympiad • Film Academy • Shakespeare Study • Math and science reviews are based on TEKS related to units/ OIs studied at home campus.
Professional Collaboration for Student Success! Charting a course TOGETHER! Animoto video
Navigating the Cluster Classroom A Map for Success Activity
Northern Lights What we’ve uncovered: We need to share ideas, communicate, and collaborate. Resources are available in many forms. Sensitivity to student needs and perceptions is vital. Organizing our schedules, providing meaningful differentiated activities will help students engage. We are on the same team.
Bon Voyage! Thank you for joining the journey. Best wishes as you navigate the GT cluster classroom this year. For additional support feel free to contact me anytime. Kristin Fawaz kfawaz@mckinneyisd.net
Navigating the Cluster Classroom Unlocking the Mystery of Program Collaboration