Achieve (6-8)

Overview

Pull-out services for a small selection of students who meet the criteria for "gifted" identification. These are students who have demonstrated abilities that significantly surpass their local, chronological age peers and have an intellectual need for coursework that extends beyond regular classroom curriculum and the enrichment services provided through Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports.

Pull-out Periods & Expectations

This group will meet twice weekly. Students will be pulled from their gym and cycle class. It is expected that students attend pull-out for each scheduled period. However, students should not miss their regularly scheduled class in the event of a quiz/test/project that day. Students will need to make up any work they miss from their class period and are expected to maintain class requirements/expectations in order to continue in the pull-out program.

Skill Development

• Students will engage in project-based learning opportunities that enable the development of higher-order thinking skills like critical thinking, problem solving, analyzing, applying, and logical reasoning. 

• Collaboration, creativity, and social-emotional skills will also be strengthened. 

• Students will complete activities that challenge them, relate to the real world, and promote a diverse exploration of skills and topics. They will be pushed to reach their full potential, while recognizing the role they play in their education and community.

Learning Opportunities and Activities

• Throughout the year, students will plan and attend monthly STEM actvities/trips to the elementary schools through a STEM Mentor program. Here, they will lead the elementary students with the completion of a STEM activity that follows the engineering design process.

• Students will attend other field trips and competitions offered through the Passaic County Consortium of Gifted Teachers.

• Guest speakers and discussions with experts in the field are incorporated throughout the program.

Thematic Units

The pull-out program is inclusive of diverse thematic units to extend student knowledge and reach interest in a range of topics, including:

• Metacognition and Giftedness

• Innovation

• Law & Order/Civics

• Our Place in the World (Geography)

• Life as We Know It (Science)

• Social-Emotional Learning for Gifted Students

Project topics may include, but are not limited to: