Sunday, August 23, 2015

5th Grade ASPIRE 2.0

On the eve of the 2015-2016 school year, I am caught in the middle of reflecting on last year, and anticipating what lies ahead.  Many exciting changes are in store for the second group of ASPIRE 5th graders.  For starters, we have expanded to the point that we have gained a second teacher.  Besides creating a lower student-teacher ratio, this will allow us to use a team teaching model to meet the unique needs of our class.  Scholars will have even more opportunities for choice, specialization, and individual learning.  Mrs. Fullhart and I plan to open our classroom walls on a regular basis, creating an atmosphere of one ASPIRE class with two teachers.  It will take practice and patience, but we are committed to this new teaching stye because of what can offer our scholars.

Next, we are very pleased to offer 6th grade Accelerated Math on the Glenhope campus this year.  While my colleagues at Cross Timbers have done an amazing job in the past, the transition time we can save without a bus ride will be very beneficial to the overall ASPIRE 5 schedule.  It will also allow us to integrate math even more into the Parallel Curriculum Model we are gradually implementing as an academy.

One small change you may notice in my objectives, blogs, and other documents is the use of the word scholars in place of students.  I believe it is a subtle but important change that reflects the mission and objectives of the ASPIRE Academy.  (Thanks Cannon Elementary!)

Another goal for this year is to emphasize Grit and a Growth Mindset.  As our scholars continue to set academic and personal goals, we will design lessons that intentionally incorporate these two concepts that have the power to transform the way they look at education and their future.

Finally, we are committed to providing more real-world learning experiences.  Through expert visits or Skypes, PBL opportunities, community problem-solving, or meaningful field trips, we are planning more ways to take learning outside of our classroom walls to help make our scholars global citizens.

It is an exciting time to be part of the ASPIRE family.  Our goal is to keep improving through research, practice, and collaboration in order to provide an exceptional education for our scholars and their families.  We are here to serve, so please feel free to offer suggestions, resources, or testimony.  Together we will transform gifted education in GCISD, as we strive to be the best in all we do.




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