Welcome to Target!

1. Welcome to Target! Mrs. Traci Montague Mr. Bill McAllister

2. Meet Your Target Teachers • Mr. Bill McAllister • 5th Grade • 3rd Grade Split • 16th year in Cobb County • 6th year in Gifted Services • Mrs. Traci Montague • 4th Grade • 3rd Grade Split • 20thyear in Cobb County • 11th year in Gifted Services • Dually-certified BOTH teachers support the classroom teachers with their higher level learners at all times

3. Can both of these groups of equations be true? • 4 + 5 = 9 • 7 + 4 = 11 • 3 + 7 = 10 • 9 + 3 = 12 • 7 + 1 = 8 • 8 + 5 = 1 • 7 + 8 = 3 • 9 + 8 = 5 • 7 + 9 = 4

4. Our Mission To prepare gifted students for an ever-changing global marketplace where innovation is key and where they must be self-reflective, goal-oriented problem-seekers and solvers

5. TheMindset for the Gifted Program • Ted Talk

6. How We Get There Concrete Abstract Simple Complex Product Process Fewer Facets Multi Faceted More Structured More Open Guided Facilitated I am interested in HOW your child thinks, not just whether or not he/she can get the correct answer.

7. The ALP Program is process-driven. Our ultimate goal is for students to meet the standards. The content and activities help us reach these goals.

8. Gifted Standards2013-2014

9. Gifted Programming Requirements • STEM • Communication through writing and speaking • Advanced Research • Social Responsibility outside of the classroom • Technology Requirement (multi-media presentations, digital tools) • Advanced Algebraic Reasoning • All of these things are taught through THEMES • UNITS are a thing of the past!

10. Robots and Environment Themes to Support ALP Standards Medieval Era Humor FIELD TRIPS  Process-Based NOT Content-Based Interdisciplinary

11. Typical Target Day • Cognitive Growth (Convergent/Divergent/Evaluative) • Problem Solving • Logic Puzzles • Brain Teasers • Pre-Algebraic/Algebraic Reasoning • Creative Thinking (FFOE) • Inquiry • CCGPS Extension • Research • Connections • Debate • Discussions • Products • Technology Integration

12. Typical Target Day • Affective Growth • Goal Setting • Self & Peer Reflection • Collaboration with other students • Communication with others • Respectful members of the community • Self-directed learners

13. Schedule • One full day a week 8:15-1:45 • Lunch • 3rd 11:18-11:48 • 4TH 11:58-12:28 • 5TH 12:03-12:33

14. Expectations • Advanced Level Projects • Above & Beyond • Homework • Task Commitment • Accountability • Role Models • Come to class each week prepared (NO Backpack) • Agenda, Target binder, pencil, paper, lunch/money, snack, book • Binder organized

15. Prevailing Practices • Gifted students are not expected to make up missed regular classroom work or homework on scheduled Target day • Target homework permitted on Target day • Students are responsible for missed work due to absence • Appointments on Target days  • Review EAGLE Update, Target Tally and agenda daily

16. Our Target Classroom • OK to take risks and make mistakes! • Self-directed learners • Active Listening • Engaged participants *WE SUPPORT & ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER*

17. The Core of Quality Instruction • In standards-based instruction and assessment: • Standards provide the what. • Instruction provides the how. • Assessments are used to determine the student level of mastery.

18. How are assessments gathered in Target? • Performance Based • Selected Response • Constructed Response • Informal

19. Target Progress Report Aligns with the Gifted Standards The expectations increase in complexity across grade levels Administered quarterly Grades NOT on Synergy

20. Assessment Indicators • (S) Successful: When a student consistently and independently demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements. • (P) Progressing: When a student demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements with support. • (D) Does not Meet: When a student has limited progress in demonstration of outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

21. IMPORTANT!! • I am reporting your child’s progress at the standards, NOT grading your child in Target. • Progressing is NOT equivalent to a “C” • P’s and S’s mean that your child is being successful in Target

22. Probation/Removal/Re-entry • Continuation Criteria – Located at the bottom of the progress report • Probation - When a student does not meet continuation criteria, he/she will be placed on probation (18 weeks minimum) with strategies implemented to help them become successful.

23. Home/School Communication • EAGLE Update in Agenda – behavior • E-mail (BEST-please place child’s name in subject line) • Traci.Montague@cobbk12.org • William.Mcallister@cobbk12.org • Target Tallies Weekly • Blogs • Conferences • Phone calls • 678-594-8023

24. Goals for our Target Students: • To create students who are able to transfer higher order thinking skills into all facets of their lives and be able to apply them in real world situations. • To train students to “THINK ABOUT THEIR THINKING” 

25. Teacher “Wish List”  • Individually Wrapped Candies • Playground Equipment/Balls • Plastic Baggies • Sandwich, gallon, and/or snack sizes

26. Questions