Developing the Intellect through Inquiry and Investigation
Developing the Intellect through Inquiry and
InvestigationFUTURA
1Meet the TeachersMrs. Mapp
Ms. Skelly2Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
from Radford University Gifted Endorsement K-12Yoga, music,
outdoors, cook13th year teachingConcentration in psychology special
educationPreviously taught ELL, 2nd, and 5th gradesBuffalo Trail
FUTURA CenterMonday Little River 5th GradeTuesday Little River 4th
GradeWednesday Buffalo Trail 4th & 5th GradeThursday Cardinal
Ridge 4th GradeFriday Cardinal Ridge 5th Grade
3TransportationMorning: depart from home school at 8:45am and
arrive at Buffalo Trail at 9:00am.Afternoon: depart from Buffalo
Trail at 1:45pm and arrive at home school at 2:00pm.
4Attendance Is Important!If your child is going to be tardy,
absent, or dismissed early please contact the base school and
Buffalo Trail Elementary at (703) 772-2780.
5From the ClinicStudent Profile/Emergency InformationHealth
Concern Student PhotoHealth Care Plan Medication
LunchStudents may bring their lunch from home or buy at the
FUTURA center.Lunch accounts are interconnected with your childs
base school. Please send your child with a nutritious and nut free
snack.
7Please make sure they have money on their account if they plan
to buy lunch when at FUTURA. Typical Daily Schedule8:45 Take Bus to
FUTURA center9:00 Arrive at FUTURA center9:00-9:45
Critical/Creative Problem Solving9:45-11:45 Class Systems
Investigation11:45-12:15 LUNCH12:15-12:30 Recess12:30-1:40 Interest
Development Centers1:45 Take Bus back to base school
8CPS is similar to lessons in Search and may be individual,
partner, or small group challengesSystems is collaborative with
lots of voice and choice. This is research and project based
learning.Centers are independent and leveled so students begin at a
fundamental level and work to higher level activities. Students
have opportunity for choice, creativity, and time
management.Students are actively working/learning the entire time
they are in FUTURA. There are no specials.
Homework PoliciesRegular Classroom AssignmentsMake-Up work
Policy - Students have two days to make up any missed assignments.
See the FUTURA Handbook for details.
FUTURA ExtensionsContinue FUTURA researchBring in materials for
certain lessonsComplete Go Quet extensions
Handbook is available via link on webpage9Binder &
JournalYour child is responsible for bringing their binder and
journal each weekShould stay organized.Agendas - Communication is
important in FUTURA
FUTURA10What Is Go Quest?GoQuest is an internet based
educational tool which provides fun, engaging and meaningful
activities that are tailored to meet your child's individual
interests and needs.Students are to check their accounts at least
once week outside of FUTURA class.
Interest Development CentersGoals: To provide FUTURA students
with opportunities to both satisfy and elicit their intense
curiosity.
FUTURA students have the opportunity to choose activities based
on interest and learning style while working at their own
individual pace.
Students learn task commitment and time management skills.
Reflect on individual accomplishments and set goals.
12Topics include but not limited to: Aerodynamics, Sports,
Geometry, Thrill Rides (physics amusement park rides), LOL
(humourous writing), WWI, Titanic, Enigmas (mysteries of the
world), Car Engines, My Country (choose a country to explore),
Artist, Optical Illusionsand more
Completed and remain at FUTURA. When a level is completed,
teacher and student will conference and provide feedback.What Does
FUTURA stand for?FacilitatingUnderstandingThroughUsing Real
lifeApplications
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ExpectationsHave an acceptable level of productivityDevelopment
and use of planning strategiesUtilization of problem solving
techniquesApplication of core content learning through
projectsFlexibility and Critical thinkingCollaboration with fellow
studentsPerseverance and task commitmentMaintenance of proper
classroom decorum15The structure of the class (collaborative with
lots of choice) can be challenging for some students. Discuss
strategies with your child to help them be successful managing
time, collaborating, and pursuing challenges.
FUTURA 2015-2016School Year Curriculum~SystemsPossible Topics of
Study
Physics: Energy & WeatherSolarBiology: Body &
GeneticsEcosystemsGovernment: JudicialCultureEconomicsMechanical:
Electricity & InventionsCommunication: Language &
TechnologyTransportation
Throughout the Year
ResearchProblem SolvingCritical ThinkingCreative
ThinkingEvaluative ThinkingDeductive ThinkingCommunication
SkillsAnalytical SkillsApplication of Technology
Essential Understandings of SystemsSystems Have FunctionSystems
Have DesignSystems Have BoundariesSystems Can ChangeParts of
Systems Interact17Performance Assessments1-6 scaleSample is in the
Resource section of their binder.A performance assessment is given
at the end of each semester. (late January and June)Informal
assessments are ongoing. These will be in your childs FUTURA binder
with major projects/centers work.Students are often asked to
complete self-assessments on various products. This allows them to
reflect on their learning.18Mindset19***Change name to your
name***
Introduce Mindset: Helpful for parents, teachers, administrators
(even in business)It is becoming a more popular idea now that we
know and understand more about how the brain worksWe now understand
that intelligence is formed by connections within the brain. With
more practice, the stronger these connections become (more neural
pathways = more brain density = more intelligence)Being called
dense should actually be a compliment! Who is Carol Dweck?Stanford
Professor and developer of the Mindset Theory
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Carol Dweck video 1 min 10 sec
Discuss how our gifted services can go hand-in-hand with
Mindset.
Maybe tie in to One to the World?? 20Mindset Theory21Fixed
Mindset: A belief system that suggests that a person has a
predetermined amount of intelligence, skills, or talentsGrowth
Mindset: A belief system that suggests that ones intelligence can
be grown or developed with persistence, effort, and a focus on
learningIntroduce the two mindsets:
Fixed Im not good at.. (cooking, sports, technology, etc)
Growth I need to study more, I need to practice more, I need to
try harder
The power of YET. A person with growth mindset will use the word
yet when they feel they havent quite accomplished something.
Having a growth mindset does not mean that you feel you will be
the best at something, only that you could be better. We may never
be as good at golf as Tiger Woods, but, with practice, you could
always make your golf game better. 21Fear of FailureWhen does
failure become the pathway to success?
The RESILIENCE to keep going, The PERSISTENCE to try new and
improved strategies, The DETERMINATION to view failure as a path to
new learning.
G: Get back upR: Review the situation I: Identify a new
strategyT: Try again
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22Michael Jordan video 32 seconds23
Parent TipsModel Growth Mindset in our own livesAsk kids, When
do you feel smart when its easy or when you are learning?Praise
effort and work habits, not ability or gradesRemember valuing speed
and perfection can hinder difficult learningDemonstrate the
learning that can occur from mistakes/failures24Further Reading and
ResourcesMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol
DweckMindsets in the Classroom by Mary Cay RicciWebsite:
www.mindsetworks.com
Thanks to Ladona Gorham, Supervisor of Gifted Education and
Special Programs for Fauquier County Public Schools, for her
contributions to this presentation.
2525Parent Conferences
Call Buffalo Trail Elementary (703) 772-2780
E-Mail:[email protected]@lcps.org
26Thank You For Your SupportQuestions?
