McKinney isd
GT Elementary Program 2009
- 2010
McKinney ISD exists to provide an excellent education for all.
Agenda
1. Clustering & Team Teaching
2. 4th and 5th Grade Programs
3. Depth and Complexity
4. Report Cards
5. Q & A
Clustering

Diversity – Academically gifted students are
able to interact with other gifted students,
including those with different cultures,
experiences, and learning styles.

Team Teaching – Instructors work
purposefully and cooperatively, sharing
insights to enhance the students’ academic
development.
th
4
th
5
and
2 Day Pull-Out
Alpha Olympics
William & Mary ELAR & SS
Math
Science
English Language Arts/
Social Studies 4th –5th
•In the ALPHA Olympics, your
children will be competing on
teams.
•They will be a part of an intense
competition in which everything
you they can earn points for their
team.
Two Types of Olympic Points
“A” Points
“B” Points
How To Earn “A” Points
(Examples)
Answer and ask questions with
depth and reflective thought
Add value to class discussions
Show tremendous effort and
perseverance
Produce amazing products
Always complete your homework
Be the best student you can be
How To Earn “B” Points
(Examples)
Show care and respect through
your actions
Assist fellow classmates when in
need
Help keep our rooms and school
clean
Listen to the teachers and follow
directions immediately
Be the best person you can be
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
English Language Arts/
Social Studies 4th –5th
Language Riddle
What two homophones could
complete this riddle?
When you are solely responsible
for repaying the debt, it is a
...................... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
lone loan
English Language Arts
Poetry
Analyze and Discuss Poetry and Poets
Create original poems
Word Study
Latin and Greek Word Roots
Analyze and Represent Vocabulary Words
Literary Analysis / Novel Study
In-depth study of various genres based on
College of William and Mary models
Social Studies
•Experience in-depth study of social systems
throughout history
Native Americans
Early Colonies-New Nation
The Republic of Texas
The Industrial Revolution
Present-Day America
•Analysis using Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity
and Paul’s Elements of Reasoning
•Create new colony based on social systems
analysis
ALPHA Film Academy
• Full integration of grade level writing TEKS
and filmmaking
• Create professional quality films using
required real-world techniques
• Develop content-based projects using core
subject concepts and creativity
• Incorporate the writing process, music to
enhance mood, lighting, cinematography, and
visual effects
• Analyze and evaluate films based on critical
components of filmmaking
Mathematical?
What might you get if you
find the circumference of
an Inuit?
Eskimo Pi
4th & 5th Grade Mathematics
• Strategies and Techniques to Streamline
Problem-Solving
• Exploratory Math Olympiad ProblemSolving with Sharing Sessions
• Algebraic Reasoning
• Contributions of Mathematicians
• Critical Thinking and Questioning
• Extensions in Math Related to Concepts
Within and Above the Grade Level(s)
Mathematics
Homework
•20 – 30 minute limit
depending on assignment
parameters
•Exceeding time limit
requires parent signature
•Homework is extremely
important for enabling
students to participate in
class discussions
Which element would solve this
riddle?
The meeting tonight is for men
and women; therefore, it is not
necessary for
_______________________.
a.Cobalt
c. Helium
b.Einsteinium d. Mendeleevium
Science
•Chemistry-related scientific investigations following
Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity thinking
processes
•The methods, processes, and tools of scientists will
be applied during an inquiry-based chemical spill
simulation
•Contributions of chemists that have impacted and
are impacting history
•Critical thinking and questioning during ALPHA
instruction and general education reviews
Depth
Know and use the language of the discipline.
Use details to elaborate in the discipline. Details
are very specific, not general.
Look for patterns of recurring elements (identify,
predict, generalize).
Look for trends or forces that shape a body of
knowledge. (literature, history, prior knowledge
Depth
Identify the unanswered questions about
issues/concerns in the discipline.
Identify and explain the rules or how
information/events are organized in the discipline.
Be sensitive to the ethical considerations in the
problem/issue/discipline. (‘tug-of-war’ or conflict
needing resolution).
Look at big ideas that can be supported by the
evidence from a body of knowledge, including facts,
rules, trends, patterns, etc..
Complexity
Look at ideas/information over time.
(Past-Present-Future)
Look at ideas/information from different points-ofview. (interdisciplinary)
Look for connections among/between
ideas/information (different subjects)
Alpha Report Card
ALPHA report cards will be sent home each nine
weeks.
Based on:
 concepts covered in the Alpha classroom.

goals and objectives specifically designed
for gifted learners.

the evidence of development and
application of enduring understandings.
What is a 4?

Proficient with grade-level skills.

Consistently demonstrates exemplary
understanding using depth and complexity.

Demonstrates application of skills in a
variety of complex situations.

Works independently after initial
instruction.
What is a 3?



Demonstrates proficient understanding of
grade-level skills.
Applies skills independently by the conclusion
of the grading period. There may be ups and
downs as new concepts are learned.
Applies and demonstrates elements of depth
and complexity with increasing frequency.
Needs some teacher direction.
“There is nothing more unequal
than the equal treatment of unequal
children.” ~ S. Fennell
Questions?
Thank you so much
for joining us!
We appreciate your support for your child
and education.
-The Elementary ALPHA Team