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Quest Program Information 2013

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77 views4 pages

Quest Program Information 2013

Uploaded by

api-151140245
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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QUEST

Question Understand Explore Search Think Program Information First through Seventh Grade 2013

Prince of Peace Catholic School 5100 Plano Pkwy West Plano, TX 75093

Philosophy Statement The main emphasis of this gifted and talented pull-out program is to provide students with a challenging and creative learning experience. Students in the QUEST program will participate in stimulating activities that help to foster critical thinking in an authentic learning environment. Within this environment, students will use 21st century learning skills to develop and create projects independently, as well as through collaboration with their peers. Students will progress through increased levels of independence. Each students needs, whether intellectual or creative, will have the opportunity to expand and develop to the child becoming a self-directed learner. The social and emotional growth of each child will also be central to the curriculum of the program. Students will self-evaluate to help nurture intrapersonal awareness. The QUEST program provides opportunities for excellence, creativity, leadership, and the improvement of self-esteem through the development of higher-level thinking skills. Goals Students will use higher level thinking skills to create and answer questions Students will utilize divergent and convergent thinking skills to develop innovative ideas Students will create products that demonstrate knowledge of understanding Students will become fluent in presentation and communication ability Students will develop self-evaluation techniques

Grade Level Information 1st-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade The QUEST teacher will be going into the classroom for 30 minutes a week to work with the entire class on creative thinking (first grade) and critical thinking (second grade). The identified students will be pulled out from a variety of classes for 2 hours and 45 minutes a week to the QUEST classroom. They will be working through units that help to harness and foster critical thinking. Research skills and problem-based learning will be central to the learning process at these grade levels. Students are not required to make-up any missed class work, but are responsible for any assigned homework. Students will be pulled from a variety of classes for 2 hours and 15 minutes/week. Students will encounter real-world situations through problembased learning units. Students will use problem-solving strategies, critical thinking, and research skills when working through the PBL units. As students progress through middle school, independent study projects will be assigned. Students are not required to make-up any missed class work, but are responsible for any assigned homework.

6th-7th Grade

Themes Grade Level 1 Theme Patterns Enduring Understandings and Generalizations Patterns can be found in many forms. Patterns can grow and repeat. Patterns can be generalized. Patterns help us to find connections in the every day world. Patterns help us to make predictions. Connections help us to have a deeper meaning about the world around us. Activating background knowledge helps us to make connections. Connections may be expressed as comparisons, analogies, inferences, or the synthesis of ideas. Enigmas are all around us. In order to solve enigmas, you must use both convergent and divergent thinking. Enigmas require research when looking for a solution. Enigmas do not always have an explanation or answer. Change generates additional change. Change can be either "good" or "bad." Change is inevitable. Change is necessary for growth. Problem-solving strategies can be used to manage change. Conflict can lead to change Relationships exist all over the world. Relationships exist within systems to create a cause and effect situation. Relationships can be positive or negative. Conflicts may occur in everyday life. Understanding the positive and negative sides of conflicts may help people make better choices. Making better choices may prevent future conflicts. Conflicts are not always negative. Self-Reflection allows us to recognize our purpose and respond to it. Exploration confronts the unknown Exploration may result in new findings or the confirmation of old findings.

Connections

Enigmas

Change

Relationships

Conflict

Exploration

Identification Identification will no longer occur in the spring with the exception of this year*. Identification will immediately occur after receiving the Fall Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) scores in late November/early December. *For the 2013-2014 school year, we will be identifying in the late spring with the 2012 ITBS scores, as well as in late fall with the 2013 ITBS scores. Students will receive a letter mid-May2013 if they qualify for the program. All students currently involved in the QUEST program will automatically be placed the program next year. Process: 1. The child will first be required to receive a 95% or above in both reading and math on his/her ITBS scores. 2. Then the child will then be given a Slosson (a verbal IQ test). The child must receive a 130 or above on the Slosson for acceptance into the QUEST program.

Transfers If a student was in a gifted and talented program in another school district and transfers into Prince of Peace, we will honor the previous identification and place the child in QUEST. Proper documentation is necessary and required. Policies for QUEST Re-Evaluation In April of each school year, current QUEST students will be re-evaluated for enrollment in QUEST for the following year. Final decisions of a students placement in the QUEST program for the following year will be determined by May. All decisions are final based on administrative and teacher discretion. All decisions will be made in the best interest of the child. The following components will be reviewed when determining students re-enrollment: Behavior -- continually displaying disruptive behaviors that result in distractions for that student or for the remaining students in the classroom Students must have passing semester averages in all other classes (including specials) At any point in the year, a student in the QUEST program can be put on probation for the remainder of the quarter or an entire upcoming quarter. This probation does not affect any DPL sports; it applies solely to the QUEST program. If a student does not correct the action(s) which resulted in the probationary period, the student will be dismissed from the QUEST program. This dismissal from the program can take place at any point in the year. This probationary period can be a result of any of the following: Disruptive behavior within the QUEST classroom that results in office visits A failing quarterly grade in any other class (including specials)

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