Green
Gables GATE
Philosophy:
Green Gables Elementary is a continuous progress multi-age school that
has a student responsive perspective. Teachers have a profound respect
for each child as a learner and school wide systems are set in place
to empower each student to learn what they need or want to learn. Classroom
organization is currently K-1-2 (or) 3-4-5 with all Kindergarten students
receiving focused math opportunities in the p.m. These multiage placements
give developmentally appropriate practices the time and flexibility
to function effectively and efficiently. End of second grade portfolio
requirements ensure the best time for a student to transition from a
primary to an intermediate classroom setting. It is program for gifted
and talented students. Recommendations can be made by parents, teachers
or a combination of both.
Green Gables Elementary is committed to preparing our students to be productive life long learners who are well acquainted with process skills as well as higher order and critical thinking skills. We agree with Howard Gardner that "genuine understanding is most likely to emerge, and be apparent to others, if people possess a number of ways of representing knowledge of a concept or skill."
In our model, a portion of the school day is set aside for students to address topics of their choice from cultural, political, historic, environmental, scientific or art perspectives and produce presentations or products that demonstrate a broad understanding of the topic being researched. Students use what they already know to acquire new knowledge, develop new skills or reflect on new experiences.
Plan-Discover-Share-Reflect (P-D-S-R): Research, developed during the student choice block, culminates in an oral presentation that is supported with visuals. Practicing for a presentation can be multi-layered with the initial presentation being given to the homeroom, feedback given from teacher and peers with an opportunity for the presenter to make changes before presenting to a wider audience of parents, friends from other classes or the entire school. Because the cycle continually repeats, students have the opportunity to constantly expand their knowledge base both as they research and as they listen to peers' research presentations.
Opportunities for Advanced Learning: We believe students should be able to go beyond the core curriculum in both a horizontal and vertical enrichment curriculum. Building resources have been allocated to purchase materials that will provide students with many choices in each subject area. Last year in Math we purchased "Hands on Algebra", this year we have purchased the Verbal Problems that accompanies the Hands on Algebra and several units from the Connected Math series that are designed for advanced students. We also have Internet Academy available. Green Gables Math Team competes multiple times per year. Boeing Math Club is offered one afternoon after school as well as Chess Club during a portion of the year. Further, we have a pilot program in robotics one night per week after school. The 2007-2008 school year will be a pilot to see how it is received by our students. The P.T.A. has purchased motion sensors to accompany our motion and design science unit. All intermediate students have an opportunity to prepare for and experience Enterprise Village, an economic simulation provided by Junior Achievement. Our goal is to provide continuous learning opportunities for all students through involvement with the community, parents and business.
Both Reading and Writing are offered in a workshop format. Writing Workshop is a "generative" time of the day, with students actively involved in creating their own texts. It has its roots in the traditional system in which apprentices learned the skills of their trade by working at the sides of master craftsmen and women. Mini-lessons start or end each workshop and can include workshop procedural information, writer's process, qualities of good writing or editing/revising skills. Each student is allowed to work at their own level of ability. Teachers may pull occasional skill groups of students who have common needs. Literature Circles with assigned texts or texts to choose from within a theme may also be experienced by students who need to expand higher level skills. Periodically, assigned writing prompts are used to practice for assessments. Teachers have frequent reading and writing conferences with the students to assess progress and discuss goals. Reading and Writing work is collected in a folder or journal so that growth over time can be evaluated easily by the student and/or teacher.
Assessment & Evaluation: Green Gables has a system approach to assessment and evaluation. Students are regularly involved in using developmental continuums or other criteria to self assess their academic progress and set goals. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's achievement in learning processes through anecdotal records and conferences. We use reading logs, self assessments, presentations and portfolios to evaluate products. Classroom measures such as end of chapter assessments in math as well as criterion referenced testing, state or district mandated testing are also used to periodically assess student progress.
CONTACT: If you have questions about the program for gifted and talented students at Green Gables, please feel free to call the GATE representative, Evie King, at (253) 945-2752 or you can e-mail her at eking@fwps.org.