GATE Send-Out Program

1. GATE Send-Out Program Wrentham Public Schools 2009-2010 M. Belmonte / D. Hanewich Gate Teachers

2. Evening Overview • Review of Pilot Send-Out Program 2008-2009 • NEW 2009-2010 Program • Criteria for Selection • ELA Program Summary • MATH Program Summary • Program Policies • Parent/Student/Teacher Roles • Assessment / Celebration!

3. Pilot Send-Out ELA Program2008-2009 • Classes met once in a 7-day cycle for 40 minutes • Independent Study Program for identified 6th grade students • Students were guided through the 8-Step Research Process • Students presented/evaluated projects at the end of the program • Evaluated program through student, parent and teacher surveys

4. 2009-2010 Send-Out Program • Includes separate ELA and Math programs for Grades 5 & 6 • Students meet once in a 7-day cycle for 1.25 hrs. from 1:15-2:30PM • Grade 5 MATH – Day 1 • Grade 6 MATH – Day 2 • Grade 5 ELA – Day 5 • Grade 6 ELA – Day 6 • Incorporates a mid-year and end-of-year GATE Progress Report

5. “I learned how to manage my time and use other resources.” “I learned how to take notes better and how to organize notes. Of course, I learned a ton (and I literally mean 2,000 lbs) about how music affects your brain.” “I gained the knowledge of how to plan my time appropriately and how teaching someone about one little thing will still make a difference.” “I gained different research options, a sense of what professional projects are like, and a feeling that I did something big.” “I learned how conduct an interview and how to never quit.” Student Quotes from our Pilot ELA Send-Out Program 2008-2009 

6. Send-Out Program 2009-2010 Parent Permission Classroom Achievement Teacher Recommendation Student Interest Test Data CogAt (Cognitive Achievement Test – 2 Sections) STAR Reading Score MCAS Language & MCAS Math GATE Designed Math Test Criteria for Selection

7. GATE Send-Out Program2009-2010 GOAL… Heuristic Learners • Self-Motivated • Independent Thinkers • Confident • Resourceful

8. We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution The Constitution and Our Government How students can help to promote the common good  How students can partake in our government as responsible citizens As a group, identify a problem in school/community Formulate a plan to take action and solve the identified problem Promote Active Thinkers Active participants Give reasons for answers Offer different answers to one problem Listen to what others have to say ELA Send-Out ProgramGrade 5 **State House Visit ~ Spring, 2010**

9. Independent Research Project I. Self-selected Topic II. Steps of Research Process I. Topic Development 2. Goal Setting 3. Research 4. Organization 5. Goal Evaluation 6. Product 7. Presentation 8. Product Evaluation **Additional GATE Activities based on student interests/talents/strengths will be explored in the spring** ELA Send-Out ProgramGrade 6

10. Math Send-Out ProgramGrade 5 ********************************************************* 1.Problem Solving Strategies 2.Math Olympiad 3.Real World Math - Student as a CONSUMER a. Real world simulations b. Living within a budget - food - clothing - shelter 4. Community Connection a. Guest Speakers b. Interview REAL people in the community

11. Math Send-Out ProgramGrade 6 ************************************************* 1. New Problem Solving Strategies 2. Mathematicians: Past, Present &Future a. Math – A discipline that transcends time, culture and gender b. Technology – Partnership with K.P. High 3. Real World Math - Student as a DESIGNER 4. Community Connection a. Guest Speakers b. Interview REAL people in the community

12. GATE Homework • Weekly Homework Assignments • GATE Homework will be posted on our GATE classroom website • www.wrentham.k12.ma.us

13. Classroom Work Make-up Policy I. GATE students are expected to do the following: • find out about assigned reading material / missed assignments • read all assigned material • complete homework assigned during class if there is a question of understanding/mastery II. Students are not responsible for making up written classwork unless the classroom teacher feels strongly that the assignment is necessary for mastery of content. IIl. GATE Contract

14. Roles: Student ~Responsible for completing GATE assignments ~Responsible for completing missed classroom assignments ~Active Participant in GATE Class ~Prepared for GATE class with necessary materials ~Puts forth best effort with all GATE assignments ~Exhibits self-control in GATE class Parent ~Check-in with child weekly to see if he/she needs help gathering materials, completing assignments ~Encourage child to complete most GATE assignments independently ~Communicate with GATE teacher if his/her child is having any difficulties with GATE assignments GATE Teacher ~Guide students to become independent thinkers / workers ~Offer support with activities / projects during GATE class ~Communicate with students / classroom teachers / parents

15. GATE Assessment • GATE Progress Reports *Mid-Year & Final* • Parent Survey • Student Survey • Teacher Survey

16. Ice Cream Social &GATE Night • Mid-Year “Ice Cream Social!” • After-school ice-cream party for ALL students in GATE • Opportunity to meet one another and discuss the program • End of the School Year “GATE Night” • Evening celebration for all GATE students and their parents • Opportunity for parents and students to celebrate individual and/or group accomplishments

17. Concluding Thoughts… • Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. ~Theodore Rubin • Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. ~Thomas A. Edison