PROGRAM DESIGN: Primary Enrichment Program (P.E.P.)

Transcription

1 Special Services Gifted & Talented Program Descriptions

2 PROGRAM DESIGN: The Gifted & Talented Program for the students of North Bergen, New Jersey will be implemented according to the following design: KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE Primary Enrichment Program (P.E.P.) A Primary Enrichment Program has been designed to meet the needs of those primary grade students who have demonstrated strength in the area(s) of Language Art Literacy and/or Math. Differentiated Instructional strategies will be used to meet the special needs of the students. Those students who have mastered their basic skills will be also be grouped during Tier 3 Learning Periods so that they can be challenged with Enrichment Activities. These activities will provide opportunities for the development of critical thinking skills, creative skills, research techniques and problem solving skills. In-Service workshops were conducted to insure the successful implementation of this Program. Resources, teaching strategies, and ideas for Enrichment are accessible on the District Gifted & Talented website. The Gifted & Talented Coordinator and P.E.A.K. 5/6 Teacher serve as additional resources and are available to provide services in any of the following ways: o Alternative strategies for the development and utilization of higher thinking skills, creative thinking skills, problem solving skills, and research techniques o Demonstration lessons in the classroom o Conferences on a one-to-one or grade level basis It is hoped that the integration of enrichment and differentiated instruction into primary grades will serve to better highlight the interests, abilities, and potential of our students. It is also anticipated that the Primary Enrichment Program (P.E.P.) will contribute to a more valid basis for the identification of students for P.E.A.K., the Pullout Gifted & Talented Program which begins in the fourth grade.

3 GRADES FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX Providing Enrichment & Accelerated Knowledge (P.E.A.K.) The students selected for P.E.A.K. 4/5/6 will spend a portion of their school time with the P.E.A.K. Teachers. They will meet in the District Resource Center for Gifted & Talented Education, which has been created to meet their special needs. This Center is located at John F. Kennedy School. P.E.A.K. 4 and 5 students from all elementary schools will meet once a week to participate in large group project-based activities such as class-community projects, thematic units, special speakers and programs, films and trips. The students will also be broken into three groups. Each of these groups of approximately 7-12 students will come to the Resource Center for a half-day each week to engage in small group activities, research, and opportunities for individualization in specific areas of interest, talents and abilities. P.E.A.K. 6 students will meet once a week for small group activities and once a month for large group field trips. The development of higher level thinking skills, creative thinking skills, research techniques for independent study, and problem solving skills will be emphasized. The P.E.A.K. Teacher s role is to extend the efforts of the regular classroom teacher in developing the potential that has been recognized in these students. The P.E.A.K. Teacher will maintain regular communication with the classroom teacher and parents to insure the total education of the child. The program is part-time so that the normal relationships in the regular classroom can be maintained. In this way, the social as well the academic needs can be met. The P.E.A.K. Teachers will also help the classroom teachers incorporate the abilities and talented of their P.E.A.K. students into lessons which can provide a richer learning environment for all of their students.

4 GRADE SEVEN P.E.A.K. 7 Technology Across the Curriculum Students will participate in a series of Mini-Modules at North Bergen High School. The course will introduce students to various types of technology, which will be integrated into advanced content areas of study. Students will be presented with computer applications in their area of demonstrated interests and abilities. Critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and research techniques will be emphasized. For example, students will utilize the Science Lab to explore the uses of technology in scientific research. P.E.A.K. 7 students will spend one afternoon per week in this Program. R.O.G.A.T.E. A Talent Search (Resources Offered for Gifted & Talented Education) ROGATE: A Talent Search is a project that is for students with exceptional abilities in mathematical and verbal areas. The goal of this program is to maximize the academic skills of these students by placing them in contact with a network of high quality resources. North Bergen students who meet the criteria will participate in activities outside of school, which complement the school s program. ROGATE students will be give the opportunity to take the SAT in January. High scoring students will be recognized at award ceremonies later in the year. The students will also attend and Academic Interest Lectures, held at local colleges. Local colleges and universities, as well as a variety of independent agencies, will be offering ROGATE students the opportunity to attend afternoon, weekend, and summer programs on a tuition basis. ROBOTICS/FIRST LEGO LEAGUE P.E.A.K. 7 students will participate in a 10-week program at North Bergen High School. This program is designed to engage students in real-world engineering experiences. Students will work in teams to design and build robots through research, creativity, and problem solving. They will encounter challenges similar to those faced by scientists and engineers as they identify a problem and develop an innovative solution. The goal of this program is to culminate in an international competition and celebration where teams win recognition.

5 GRADES 7/8 P.E.A.K. Art Program The P.E.A.K. Art Program is designed to meet the specific needs of students who have demonstrated outstanding artistic skills and abilities. The students will meet the P.E.A.K. Art Resource Teacher once a week, for approximately 1 hour, in their respective schools. The Program is designed to provide opportunities in the special areas of artistic skills, cultural awareness, and community exposure. Students will be encouraged to develop their creativity, self awareness, and community exposure. Leadership Program The Leadership Program has been created to develop the leadership potential that has been recognized in 7 th and 8 th grade students, as a result of their participation in leadership activities in their individual schools. Students qualify for this Program based on their participation in P.E.A.K. 7/8 and/or Student Council. Students are invited to attend the 7 th /8 th Grade Leadership Conference at North Bergen High School. These Leadership Conferences are designed to provide opportunities for students to interact with other student leaders in activities, which enhance critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and affective skills. Students also interact with adult leaders, as well as the student leaders from North Bergen High School. Through experiences in brainstorming, simulations, and creative problem solving, student leaders will become more aware of the qualities of effective leadership, which will help them become even stronger positive forces in their schools. It is hoped that they will be better prepared to assume leadership positions when they enter high school.

6 GRADE EIGHT P.E.A.K. 8 Challenge Across the Curriculum Students will participate in series of problem-solving modules at North Bergen High School, building on their experiences in P.E.A.K. 7. Various types of technology will be integrated into advanced content areas of study. Students will be presented with a series of challenges, which will incorporate critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and research techniques. P.E.A.K. 8 students will spend 6 afternoons in this Program. Mathematics Honors Program (MHP) Special Algebra 1 Honors classes have been established at North Bergen High School for students who demonstrate outstanding abilities in Mathematics. The students take MHP Algebra 1 Honors in lieu of 8 th grade Mathematics.

7 GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE Mathematics Honors Program (MHP) Upon the successful completion of the 8 th grade Mathematics Honors Program (MHP), students enter North Bergen High School and take MHP Geometry in their freshman year. This accelerated study of Mathematics, which includes Algebra II and Pre- Calculus, provides students with the opportunity to then take Advanced Placement Calculus in senior year. Honors Courses/Advanced Placement Higher-level courses, based upon specific academic aptitude, are offered in the areas of English, Math, Science, History, Foreign Language and Art.

8 HUDSON COUNTY COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES Students involved in the Gifted & Talented Programs of North Bergen will have opportunities to interact with students from other Hudson County districts as a result of the cooperative efforts of the Hudson County Gifted & Talented Consortium. Students will be invited to represent the district by participating in interdisciplinary programs such as Creativefest, CSI Hudson County, The Environment Through Artists Eyes, and Dream Flag Project.