Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents. If your question is not answered here, please
contact me.
- How are students selected for the IDEAS class?
- Does every student with straight A's get into the advanced class?
- My student got a couple of B's, and is in the advanced class anyway. Why?
- Does my student have to stay in the advanced class?
- Is it true that some fourth graders have an adjustment period?
- Is it true that sometimes the IDEAS class doesn't even use a textbook?
- Are projects more difficult than worksheets?
- If we have a problem or question, how do we contact you?
- How can I keep track of my student's progress?
- What about corrections?
- What is an independent study?
- How important are AR points each quarter?
How are students selected for the IDEAS class?
Mrs. Rothenberger, the gifted/talented coordinator carefully
studies information about all recommended third grade students.
She looks at IQ scores, teacher recommendation checklists, STAR
Math and STAR Reading end of year scores,grades etc. She even
looks at ISAT scores to see if there is a pattern of strong
ability. Mrs. Rothenberger plots out all of that information,
then identifies which students qualify for the advanced class.
It takes a lot of time and number crunching on her part, but she
eventually gets it narrowed down to 10-12 new fourth grade
students each year.
Does every student with straight A's get into the advanced class?
No. Grades are just one portion of the identification process.
While most of the identified students do earn honor roll type
grades, not everyone who gets top grades is qualified. We have
to look at a lot of other areas too. Sometimes it is possible
for a student to get good grades without having the test scores
to back him/her up. Sadly, that student has much less chance of
being identified for the advanced class.
My student got a couple of B's, and is in the advanced class anyway. Why?
B's are still above grade level work AND the student had enough
high scores in other identification areas to get placed in the
advanced class anyway. That is why we use such a variety of
identification methods -- if a kid is a little low in one area,
there is still a chance the "big picture" will get them placed
in the advanced class anyway.
Does my student have to stay in the advanced class?
No. If you feel that your student simply will not work out well
in the advanced program, then we need to talk. We are not in the
business of stressing people out! We would like to answer all of
your questions so you can make an informed decision. If you
still want your kid out, then that is what we do. You are the
parent and the final decision is yours. If you want your student
placed in a regular class, please contact the school BEFORE
school begins in August!
Is it true that some fourth graders have an adjustment period?
Yup. Most definitely. Some, not all, new advanced students have
very weak study skills. They have been able to skate along
without having to really apply themselves and STILL get great
grades. All of a sudden, they hit this wall of frustration
because they are being asked to work harder for their grades.
Panic ensues for some. Pure joy for others! To top it off, the
g/t teacher keeps assigning all of these open-ended assignments
where the kids have to make a bunch of the decisions for
themselves. Double panic for some! Double joy for others!
Is it true that sometimes the IDEAS class doesn't even use a textbook?
Yes. I try to leave the textbook when I can. I prefer to have
my students learn by doing things or creating things. Yes, there
is a time for worksheets, but if I can design a project, we will
do that first!
Are projects more difficult than worksheets?
In some ways. Students will be making lots of their own
decisions. My rule is: If I want it a certain way, I will
announce it; if I do not say anything about it, then the decision
is up to your kid. (Within reason of course -- accidentally
exploding the school during the science lab is not acceptable.)
Basically, thinking, designing, and creating are more difficult
skills than regurgitating facts. And, I will want it to look
presentable -- it needs to look like a talented fourth or fifth
grader did their best work! For perfectionist kids, this planning
it out and doing "your own thing" can be very daunting!
If we have a problem or question, how do we contact you?
Every student in my room, or math class, has my home phone
number, cell phone number, and e-mail address. I encourage
students to call me as needed. Most times I can straighten out
any problem right then. If not, we will make a plan to work
together the next day. It is best to use my cell number first!
How can I keep track of my student's progress?
About every other Monday I will be sending home grade slips, or
progress reports. If your student owes me work, whether from
absences, overdue work or corrections to be completed, it will be
noted on the grade slip. I also put grades into my computer
every weekend. I can usually give you an update, or at least an
estimate.
What about corrections?
Corrections are very important for your student to complete. If
your student had difficulty with a skill, then totally bombed
that paper or project, correcting the work will help him/her
understand the skill better. In addition, I average the two
attempts, so a student can recoup half of their points missed.
There will be a note advising your student to correct the work,
then turn it in the very next school day. It is your student's
responsibility to get that taken care of! If a student has just
forgotten, or blown off a paper, then the normal homework
consequences will occur. Depending on the severity of the
problem, some "no work" papers may not be redone for an improved
grade.
What is an independent study?
Each quarter I ask the students in the IDEAS class to research
and prepare a topic of their choice. This gives a student the
chance of studying in depth something we may not cover in class.
It can also be a way to dig in deeper to a class project we have
lightly covered. The independent study is due at the end of the
quarter. Each student will need to research, then write a short
paper (at least half a page for 1st quarter), present it to the
class, and have some sort of visual aid. A Power Point slide
show, art work, posters, science labs, a demonstration --
anything we can SEE counts as a visual aid. A pet may be brought
from home IF you have made an appointment, it is safe to have
around lots of kids, and it is under adult supervision at all
times. The pet may not remain at school for the day.
How important are AR points each quarter?
20 AR points are averaged as a test into the overall reading
grade. For a student who is "on the line" between two grades, AR
points can boost the average to the better of the two grades.
Failure to reach the 20 point goal will most likely drop a
student's quarterly grade by at least one letter grade. If a
student was "on the line," that grade reduction can be even
bigger! OUCH!
