Curriculum

Grades 4 & 5

All students will work on a variety of projects aligned to their IEP goals. The following curriculum descriptions serve as a general summary for each grade level. Each student will have opportunities to work on weekly activities that address the gifted strands (see below) as well. In addition, each class will delve into integrated units of study that explore a variety of topics and content areas.

All of the units we work on in Extension address the district approved, research-derived gifted strands. These strands are:

*COMMUNICATION * CREATIVITY * INTEREST DEVELOPMENT * INTERPERSONAL SKILLS * INTRAPERSONAL SKILLS * SELF- UNDERSTANDING * SKILLS OF THE INDEPENDENT LEARNER *THINKING SKILLS

4th Grade

Mathematics

Hands-On Equations provides students with a concrete foundation for algebra. It uses the visual and kinesthetic instructional approach developed by Dr. Henry Borenson to demystify abstract algebraic concepts. Students will learn how to evaluate algebraic expressions involving x and (-x),  and will apply this skill in solving algebraic word problems.

Math Quest will present students with advanced challenges that require authentic problem-solving and application of mathematic skill. Student teams are in a race to collect riches as they explore four mysterious mathematical worlds. As they progress on the Math Quest Map, students utilize six problem-solving strategies. Along the way, teams gain powers and face various obstacles they must overcome with the draw of Fate Cards. The team that completes their Quest with the most riches wins!

Language Arts 

In Junior Great Books, a shared inquiry literacy program that includes classic and contemporary stories, students will uncover deeper meaning from the thought provoking short stories they read. Through student-centered discussions, and various activities, students will improve skills in reading comprehension, communication, and critical thinking.

Figurative Language: Students will explore the power of figurative language in reading, writing, and speaking using the novel Punished! as a mentor text. They will engage in a variety of creative writing and text analyzation activities that will deepen their understanding of the power of language. 

Theme

Voyage of the Mimi is a video series that consists of episodes in a continuing adventure/drama and documentary/format segments. For each segment, lessons and activities are tied to STEM and literacy, and require students to apply both creative problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students will engage in a variety of tasks as they learn about: whales and their environment, ecosystems, maps and navigation, marine sciences and more!

Invention & Innovation is a vast and highly engaging subject matter. While the possibilities of instruction are endless, our focus is an in-depth study on the various aspects of innovation.  The curriculum is designed to open their eyes to the world around them, practice critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative thinking, and teach them how to think like an innovator. Students will learn about historical impacts of inventors and inventions, how the process of invention works (patents, IP, trademarks, etc.), consider how invention shapes our world, analyze the quality of an invention, and learn about current innovation. 

Parents- If you have any invention or innovation career experiences that could be shared with our class please let me know. 

5th Grade

Mathematics

Hands On Equations Fractions provides a concrete introduction to fractional linear equations. Students will build on their knowledge of algebraic concepts through a variety of problem solving tasks involving fractions in age, coin, distance and consecutive number problems.

Math Quest will present students with challenges that require authentic problem-solving and applied mathematic skill. Student teams are in a race to collect riches as they explore four mysterious mathematical worlds. As they progress on the Math Quest Map, students utilize six problem-solving strategies. Along the way, teams gain powers and face various obstacles they must overcome with the draw of Fate Cards. The team that completes their Quest with the most riches wins!

(This curriculum is currently used in both 4th and 5th grade, but the math level is adjusted to meet the needs for each group.)

Language Arts

In the Choose Your Own Adventure unit, students combine both reading and writing skills to write an original “choose your own adventure” (CYOA) story. Students begin by reading a variety of CYOA books and analyzing elements unique to this type of story, such as the second-person point of view, as well as setting, character, plot, and conflict. Students will plan, draft and publish his or her own choose your own adventure story. Mini-lessons on writing techniques and deeper comprehension will support the creative writing process. 

Poetry: In this unit, students will analyze and evaluate poetry to not only develop literacy knowledge, but to also respond as thoughtful readers and listeners. They will have exposure to published poetry to develop appreciation of poetic devices and learn how these techniques create different effects. They will also create their own poetry.

Poetry lessons usually have high engagement from students in Extension because “playing” with language and working with abstract ideas is in their wheelhouse. Poetry is flush with opportunity to think critically, be creative, generate ideas, and practice communication skills. When students create poetry, it allows them to take abstract concepts and force them into understandable thoughts. This exercise always proves to more challenging than it seems.

Theme Unit

Mystery River - A Problem-Based Ecology Unit: Students will work in groups to solve a serious problem - the fictional town of Hopewell's prized freshwater mussel population is dying out, and the town's leading citizens cannot figure out why. Students will take charge of the situation as they join a task force dedicated to solving the problem. They'll investigate a variety of questions as they try to develop their own reasonable, real-life solutions. Along the way, they will learn valuable research skills, apply critical thinking and develop presentations to show their results. Students will analyze documents such as memos, observations charts, newspapers, maps and more, collaborate with peers and engage in lively discussions to make connections among the data and develop reasoned theories regarding the disappearance of the mussels.

Lifelong Learning Strategies  

We want to instill the ability and desire for students to become lifelong learners. Students are provided a range of engaging and challenging activities that encourage ongoing and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge.  

Here are a few examples of tasks:

Perplexors - Logical thinking using deductive reasoning skills.

Sudoku- Puzzle for building critical thinking skills.

Inky (or KenKen) - Puzzle for building critical thinking skills utilizing basic arithmetic.

Set Game - Builds cognitive, logical, and spatial reasoning skills as well as visual perception skills.

Stories with Holes- Inductive thinking practice. 

Critical and Creative Thinking Skills 

While thinking skills are embedded into the units of study, and the lifelong learning strategies, students also receive explicit instruction on techniques and strategies that will support quality thinking and help them become better problem solvers.