Natalie Sanchez

Redwood City School DistrictGATE Program

2014-2015

Parent Orientation Meeting

Introductions

Natalie Sanchez 2nd year teaching the GATE program

North Star Academy Kennedy Middle School

Specialize in Differentiated Instruction

What is GATE?

GATE: Gifted and Talented Education

These are students whose potential requires differentiated and challenging educational programs or services beyond those provided in the general school program.

Redwood City School District All day pull out programDifferentiated, complex, enriching, and rigorous learningHomogenous group of gifted studentsGrouped by grade level

Gifted Learner Characteristics

These are some of the characteristics. For more information visit

California Association for the Gifted www.CAGifted.org

GATE Learning Objectives

At all grade levels, students will explore, problem solve and use various avenues to address educational challenges. 

They will learn there is no "right way" to tackle concepts. 

Students will also examine GATE characteristics and identify their learning styles. 

Social & Emotional Benefits of GATE Program

This is an opportunity for GATE identified students to work together in a homogeneous group. 

Group work and social interactions with gifted students and their peers.

Understanding of GATE characteristics and how that effects one socially and emotionally.

GATE Program

11-13 class meetings (1-2 times per month) during the

year including 3 field trips

Program schedule:

Classes meet either Tuesday, Thursday, or Fridays

Students will miss class during Smarter Balance

Testing

GATCA: Gifted and Talented Children’s Association

Information and support for GATE children

Supports our program-field trips, computers, speakers

Expectations

Consistent attendance Please email or call me ASAP if your child will miss

class. Please leave a message at the Selby Lane office after 8:20.

Be Punctual 8:20-2:30 Regular Day 8:20-1:30 Minimum Day Students line up at 404 line outside in morning

Come prepared and ready to learn! Lunch, snack, water bottle, uniform type clothes

Good Behavior Especially important due to the design of the class

Uniform Policy

Pants or skirts: khaki or black

Shirts or blouses: plain white collar shirt/blouse OR school t-shirt

Sweatshirts: plain black, khaki or light gray OR a school sweatshirt

Coats or Jackets: any style or color except red or blue. No sport jerseys

Shoes: closed toed only

Please go to Selby Lane office if you need of assistance to purchase uniforms

Transportation

No buses available for drop off/pick upSections are grouped by school

Carpooling is encouraged with your fellow schoolmates

Please allow appropriate travel time to ensure your child is on time to class.

Drivers are needed for field trips –no buses

Homework and Materials Needed

No GATE homeworkMaterials to bring to class

Donations from materials list –simple household items to help supply for design challenges

Water bottle, snack/lunch and uniform

Further learning: Visit class website to further explore our units.

Website will be updated as the year progresses.

Sample of 4th Grade Topics

Electricity and Magnetism: Students will experiment with and build different types of circuits. They will combine their knowledge of magnetism and electricity to build an electromagnet for design challenges.

Animal Adaptations: Students will examine adaptions and create a super animals based on their given environment.

World conservation: Students will examine ways perform design challenges to conserve our resources.

Fibonacci: Students will learn about the Fibonacci pattern and create their own designs based on Fibonacci numbers.

Sample of 5th Grade Topics

Crime Scene Investigation Mysteries: Students will crack cases using the knowledge they’ve learned about fingerprints, chromatography, and scientific observations of forensic evidence.

Simple Machines:  Students will experiment with levers, pulleys, wheels and axles and solve design challenges using these simple machines.

Mystery Material: Students investigate the properties of common elements and learn how they are organized on the periodic table. They will use tools and tests to separate and identify properties of a mystery material.

Biomimicry: Students will learn how to apply animal adaptions to solve real world problems.

Sample of 6th Grade Topics

Renewable Energy: Students will learn about the types of renewable energy and solve real life problems with these energy sources. They will also design a “solar oven” to roast marshmallows.

Bridge Design: Students will apply the concepts of force and energy to solve bridge design challenges.

Ancient Civilizations: Students will connect natural resources with ancient social systems to understand the problems ancient peoples faced.

Our World, Our Lives: Students will investigate different biomes, and the importance of natural resources to their personal lives. Students will design an invention to a real world environmental issue.

Fabulous Physics:  Students will explore the laws of physics through fun activities and experiments.

Field Trips

• 3 Field Trips each grade level• Field trip permission forms will be sent home in

September• Car checks

• 24 hours in advance-at YOUR school site (not Selby Lane)• Bring drivers license and insurance card during car check• Booster chair (if under 80 lbs or 8 years)

Parent Help

Administrative tasks collecting materials list items Arrange carpooling with your school

Field Trips Organizing drivers and forms Drivers Chaperones

Coordinators: One per grade level would be helpful!

Questions ???

Contact Info:Natalie SanchezSelby Lane Elementary School170 Selby LaneAtherton, CA 94027Room 404

Selby Lane phone: (650) 368 – 3996

GATE classroom direct line: (650) 482- 5972There is no voicemail, so email is a better way to contact me

Before you leave tonight…

Confirm your child’s enrollment Fill out a parent/student information form Complete the Field trip forms-if interested in

participating Field Trip Guidelines for Chaperone Driver Forms

Please turn them in to the basketIf you are undecided, you can enroll online at

www.rwcgate.com

Thank you for attending the New Parent Meeting!