Target Parent Informational Meeting

Presented by Mrs. Debbie Stewart and Mrs. Mandy Robertson

August 27, 2010

How is the start of a new Target year like a trip to Home Depot?

Both of them make you startthinking about some changes you’d like to make.

A new Target tally

9 weeks of reports consolidated on 2 pieces of paper

More specific rating scales Students self-assess on important

skill areas An area for students to explain how

they go “above and beyond” from week to week

Continues to serve as our most important communication tool

New Target Units

2nd and 3rd grade Units this year:

Journey Through Space and Time

(fall semester)

Money Matters (spring semester)

4th and 5th grade Units this year:

Nothing But the Truth (fall semester)

Predators of the Aquatic Biome

(spring semester)

A new student reflection piece What was your “WOW” today? Some recent examples:“My wow for today were the skits we were assigned. It was

amazing how one little 5 minute play could cover such important ideas.”

“Wow! I had no idea we got many of our laws from England. “

“I liked learning about Galileo today. Wow – he was brave. He stood up for what he believed.”

“Wow – it took almost 2 years to get the Constitution ratificated. I thought it was only like a month or so.”

“I thought it was funny that people thought earth was in the middle of the universe because it couldn’t get any heat.”

A new current events schedule Students report once a month

instead of every other week Students must bring in a “hard copy” of their news story Students may be quizzed on some of the basic facts that are shared during our current events

time.

How can parents help support these changes to our Target tally?

Read and sign the Target tally each week.

Talk to your child about what is written on the tally.

Encourage your child to think of ways they can document going “above and beyond” each week.

Make sure the tally is tucked safely away in a neat, organized Target binder.

How can parents help support our new Target units? Look for ways to establish

connections with our topics as you talk to your children and go about your day. Then encourage your child to share these connections with the class!

Let us know if you (or someone you know) has expertise in any of our topics of study. We always welcome guest speakers in our classrooms!

How can parents help support our new “WOW!” self-reflection piece?

At the end of the Target day, ask your child to tell you what his or her “WOW!” was that day.

Remind students that learning to clearly express their thoughts – both verbally and written – is an important part of the Target program.

How do these changes support the Target curriculum standards?

The Advanced Learning Program (ALP) curriculum standards are not the same as the GPS – Georgia Performance Standards.

Although many of our thematic Target units address some of the GPS, our main goal is to address the 5 main areas of the ALP curriculum standards.

ALP STANDARDS VS. GPS

Self-Directed Learner

Take mental risks Assess his/her own

work Demonstrate

initiative Set a high

standard for his/her work

See a task to completion

Persevere in the face of obstacles

Target tally Going “above and

beyond” Planning,

completing, and presenting homework, classwork, and GBR projects

Perceptive Thinker Demonstrate

creative thinking through fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration of ideas

Develop a tolerance for ambiguity

Describe his/her thought processes

Brainstorming Creative projects “WOW!”

reflections

Analytical Problem Solver Act as a problem

finder Apply relevant

prior knowledge Select and apply

appropriate problem-solving strategies

Critically analyze information to form logical conclusions

Logic puzzles Mathematical

tasks Hands-On

Equations Critical thinking

activities

Effective Communicator Comprehend,

interpret, and evaluate oral and written communication

Listen effectively and provide feedback

Ask appropriate questions

Develop communication that is appropriate to the audience

Current events Research activities Sharing of

homework, projects, and GBRs

Collaborative Team Member Work

cooperatively in a group

Develop effective leadership skills

Consider other points of view

Interact effectively in a group

Partner research Group activities

within the classroom such as skits, debates, etc…

Reminders about how to contact us:

Blogs: http://kincaidcougars.typepad.com/stewart/ http://kincaidcougars.typepad.com/robertso

n

Email: Debbie.stewart@cobbk12.org Mandy.robertson@cobbk12.org

Sign up to join Cobb Chapter of the GA Association for Gifted Children

This is an advocacy group that promotes opportunities for talented and gifted children.

There is a membership application included in your packet today.

We encourage you to join!

Any questions?

Time for a 5 minute Q and A session…

Thank you so much for coming!