Gifted Education ProgramFort Couch Middle School

2014-2015

Connie Gibson & Tim Wagner

Sample Six Day Rotation Schedule1 2 3 4 5 6

Seminar

• 7th Grade– Fall: Problem Solving – Spring: Rhetoric & Persuasion

• 8th Grade– Fall: Innovation– Spring: Mock Trial

Chinese Language Class

• Two days / rotation• Period 7• Chinese Teacher from the HS• Spring of 7th grade / fall of 8th grade• Focus on language acquisition

• Tentative for 2014-2015

Computer Fair

• Regional Competition in March• State Competition in May

• Categories: Animation, Digital Movie, Graphic Design, Programming, Web Page Design, Computer Fair Logo

Drama Study (Spring)

• Reading a play• Speaking / Performing• Historical Context

Entrepreneurial Studies

• 8th Grade Opportunity• Partnership with Economics PA• Aligned with 8th grade seminar on innovation• Business and marketing plans

Fine & Performing Arts

• Opportunities to attend (varies year to year). . . – Plays– Ballets– Musicals– Concerts– Museums

Future City

• Fall / Winter• Computer Design / Virtual City• Research• Writing– Research Essays– City Narratives

• Engineering the Model• Team Presentation

Future Problem Solving

• Theme of 7th grade seminar• E. Paul Torrance’s Problem Solving Framework• Competitions at Fort Couch– October– December– February

• State Competition in April

Geography Bee

• Sponsored by the National Geographic Society• Practice sessions throughout the fall• Qualifying exam for interested students• Opportunity for state competition

STEM Design (K’NEX) Challenge

• Early spring (March)• Teams of students solve an engineering

challenge using K’NEX

Literature Study (Fall)

• In-depth analysis of a text in a small Socratic Seminar style discussion

• Thinking within the text, and an emphasis of grappling with ideas beyond the text

Math Problem Solving

• Opportunities throughout the year to work on mind-bending math problems

• May be used as “practice” for math competitions

Math Competitions

• Past competitions have included:– AMC 8– Math Counts– Math Olympiad– 24

Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Competition

• March• Selection of an individual monologue or a

group scene to practice (fall) and receive coaching (winter)

• Performances grades 5-12 at the Pittsburgh Public Theater

Stock Market Game

• Fall• Groups of students work on principles of

investing and related math content, and develop a portfolio

US Department of Energy Science Bowl

• Late winter• Practice sessions throughout the year• Qualifying exam – two teams represent Ft

Couch at the competition

Writing Workshop

• Opportunities to write, share writing with others, and receive feedback on work

• Foundational writing skill building (characterization, theme, etc.)

• Attention to a variety of genres, based on writers’ desires

• Competition list provided

One Day Events

• America Bowl

• Eco-Challenge

• History Bowl

• Science Bowl

Other Opportunities

• Community Service Days

• Independent Study– PRSEF Science Fair– Toshiba Exploravision

Questions?

• Please sign up for a GIEP at your earliest convenience.

• Call or e-mail us with your questions!

Connie Gibson Tim Wagner(412) 833-1600, ext. 3154 (412) 833-1600, ext. 2530cgibson@uscsd.k12.pa.us twagner@uscsd.k12.pa.us