Enrichment Overview

Caraway Academy is an enrichment opportunity embedded within the school day that takes students on adventures where they are provided learning opportunities for specific, self-selected enrichment. S.T.E.A.M based activities that extend beyond the traditional curriculum are offered. Hidden talents emerge as students gain hands-on experiences in areas on personal interests. Higher level thinking skills, problem solving, teamwork, 21st Century Skills, along with many other life skills, stimulate and inspire creativity. In addition to weekly enrichment opportunities, all students at Caraway will have frequent access to our Innovation Lab, which will provide a safe space for students to create, invent, and engage in collaborative learning. Utilizing the principles of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (S.E.M.), developed by Joseph S. Renzulli and Sally M. Reis, as well as incorporating the Project Based Learning framework; our intent is to guide all students in their pursuit of personalized learning. These opportunities offer students unique educational experiences tailored to, and driven by, individual interests and choices.

What is the School-wide Enrichment Model?

As parents, we want our children to have a quality education that prepares them for their future. We sometimes wonder whether we are doing enough to support them in their educational pursuits. As we contemplate their education, we might ask:

• What are my child’s interests, and how can I encourage those interests?
• What motivates my child to learn?
• What captures my child’s curiosity?
• What is my child passionate about?
• How can I foster a love of learning in my child?
• What does it take to get my child to jump out of bed, excited to get to school?

These questions factor into whether or not your child is engaged in the learning process and ultimately whether they will succeed in their educational career. Over the past year, the Caraway Enrichment Committee has investigated several models that would maintain and enhance the caliber of education provided at Kathy Caraway Elementary (KCE). Upon seeing a need for individualized enrichment, the committee is recommending that KCE adopt the School-wide Enrichment Model (SEM) through a focus on passion based learning.

The School-wide Enrichment Model is a proven model that makes the educational process a more meaningful experience for our children. This model has been in existence since 1985 and has been successfully implemented at schools throughout the country. (See appendix for further articles and documentation). While SEM incorporates many enrichment programs currently offered at KCE, the model is more comprehensive. This model does not dilute any of the current educational programs at KCE; rather, it allows KCE the flexibility to develop our own unique programs based on the interests of our students, coupled with our community resources.

KCE is committed to being a school of both learning and character development. Knowledge acquisition is of first importance, but other goals such as know-how, creativity, self-fulfillment, wisdom, and character also receive attention. The School-wide Enrichment Model creates a learning environment that views present knowledge as a stepping stone to (1) the creation of new knowledge and skills; (2) solutions of unsolved problems; and, (3) inventions, artistic productions, and explorations that improve our world.

Stated simply: The School-wide Enrichment Model provides opportunities for your child to reach their potential academically, socially and emotionally. Learning within the School-Wide Enrichment Model will enhance your child's educational experience well beyond the elementary school years. When your child identifies his interests, talents, and learning styles, he/she develops a positive self-esteem and a joy of learning which is a path to becoming a life-long learner. Just as any adult enjoys their job more when they are engaged and challenged, so too does a student in relation to his schoolwork.

What are the Five Major Goals of the School-wide Enrichment Model?

1. To develop the talents and interests of students by assessing strengths, differentiating instruction, and providing enrichment opportunities. Two ways SEM achieves this goal is through the Total Talent Portfolio and Elective Clubs.

• Total Talent Profile: What it is?: Total Talent Profile (TTP) is an inventory of your child's abilities, interests, learning style preferences, work samples, and other related talent indicators. The TTP is updated and reviewed regularly by the student, teacher, and the student's parents in order to determine the best way to meet your child’s needs. The TTP is an invaluable tool for understanding not only your child's academic strengths, but also what motivates him/her to learn. (See Appendix for an example of the TTP.)
• How would Caraway would use the Total Talent Profile?: Your child will have a TTP that documents their interests, talents, and learning style preferences. These inventories aid each teacher in understanding more about the academic strengths and interests of his/her students.
• Elective Clubs: What are they?: Elective clubs are groups of students who have the same passion.The goal of an elective club is to create an environment that feels like a close community and allows student inquiry to thrive. All students will participate in elective clubs and complete a product or deliver a service for a real-world audience.
• How Caraway Elementary would use Elective Clubs?: Possibilities include a group of fifth grade students who have a common interest in art, studying different types of art and painting a mural together., Or a group of kinder and first grade students who are passionate about animals studying and learning about animals with hands on experience. Your child will participate in at least one Elective Cluster during the 2016-2017 school year.

2. To improve the academic performance of all students and blend into the standard curriculum, activities that will engage students in meaningful and enjoyable learning.

• Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS): The School-Wide Enrichment Model (SEM) uses the TEKS as its foundation. TEKS are the learning objectives that each child is required by the state to master at a particular grade level. SEM is designed to create an environment that integrates learning opportunities into the entire curriculum. SEM provides challenges to improve your child’s personal involvement in his educational development.
• Curriculum Design: Teachers meet both in their grade level teams and with vertical teams to design units of study based on the TEKS. The teams are responsible for examining the present curriculum by grade level, content, and across grade levels, making recommendations for curricular revisions. The units of study emphasize 1) content and process, 2)inquiry based learning, and 3) integrations of content.
• Differentiated Instruction: Teachers differentiate instruction by adjusting their teaching content, activities, or products to meet the academic readiness, interest and learning profiles of each of their students.

3. To promote continuous professional development for all school personnel.

• Continuing education for teachers and staff will be a vital component of the overall implementation of SEM.

4. To create a learning community that honors diversity, demonstrates caring attitudes toward one another, respects democratic principles, and promotes preservation of the Earth's resources.

• This goal closely reflects the KCE mission statement to "Kathy Caraway Elementary will provide a joyous learning environment where students are encouraged to love learning and serve as positive contributors to society."

5. To maintain a professional learning community where every administrator, teacher, support staff, student, and parent shares responsibility for realizing the Caraway Elementary mission.

• We strive to meet this goal every day at KCE.

How will the School-wide Enrichment Model be implemented at KCE?

If you're wondering how we can start this fantastic model at KCE, the good news is...... we already have!

Phase I

Caraway Elementary teachers have received training from nationally recognized educational trainers through the Buck Institute for Project Based Learning (PBL). Each team has planned a full PBL project for the students to participate in over the course of this school year. Many grade levels have implemented more than one or a year-long project. We already have an aligned curriculum which provides guidance on pre-assessment, integrated content, and engaged learning strategies. Teachers are focusing on differentiating content, activities, and assessments to meet individual student needs. Other examples include:

Project Based Learning Hands On Science Literature Circles

Writers Workshop Garden Projects Guest Speakers

Service Learning Technology Integration Engineering Day

Hour of Code Science Night Art Night

Battle of the Bluebonnets UIL Academics Growth Mindset

Phase II

We are ready to begin Phase II of implementing the Schoolwide Enrichment Model. During this phase:

1. A Talent Profile will be completed for your child.
2. Your child will participate in at least two Electives the 2016-2017 school year.
3. Additional enrichment opportunities will be incorporated throughout the school day.

How will the School-Wide Enrichment Model become a reality at KCE?

The implementation process for SEM is underway! In order to implement Phase II however, additional financial resources are required that our Round Rock ISD budget will simply not cover. Only with the generous support of our parents and community, can we make this educational experience a reality for our students. We are exploring the feasibility of raising about $10,000 per year for the next three years to fully implement the School-wide Enrichment Model.

Funding priorities are:

• Development of resources for the Total Talent Profile
• Development of resources and materials for student Elective Clubs
• Development of resources and materials for professional development
• SEM summer training - University of Connecticut (see appendix for additional information)

Caraway is no stranger to the community partnerships that must exist in order to create an excellent learning environment for our students. In order to see the SEM come to fruition in a manner that touches every student at KCE, we envision teachers, staff, administrators and parents working side-by-side. KCE has received District approval to proceed with the development of the School-wide Enrichment Model. KCE has always been a leader in the district in setting the standard for excellence in education. We are fortunate to have great parents, teachers, staff, and district support in all that we do.

We need your help in making this exciting opportunity for your children and our school a reality!

Appendix

Website Resources

I. University of Connecticut (www.gifted.uconn.edu)

A. Click on Schoolwide Enrichment Model

Click on SEM Articles

Click on:

1. The Schoolwide Enrichment Model (Executive Summary)

2. A Rising Tide Lifts all Ships

3. A Bird’s Eye View of SEM: A Practical Plan For Total School Improvement

4. The Total Talent Portfolio: A Plan for Identifying and Developing Gifts and Talents

5. How to Develop an Authentic Enrichment Cluster

B. Summer Training at the University of Connecticut (Click on Confratute)

II. Websites and Resources

• Genius Hour (www.geniushour.com)
• Engagetheirminds.com/genius-hour-resouces/
• CNN: ‘Genius hour’ :What kids can learn from failure (http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/09/living/genius-hour-education-schools/)
• 20-Time in Education to Inspire.Create.Innovate (http://www.teachthought.com/learning/6-principles-of-genius-hour-in-the-classroom/)

Books and Articles

The Passion Driven Classroom: Framework for Teaching and Learning, Maiers, Angela

Schools for Talent Development: A Practical Plan for Total School Improvement, Renzulli, Joseph

Total Talent Portfolio, Renzulli, Joseph

Developing Enrichment Clusters, Renzulli, Joseph