ExCEL Program
Basic Information
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ExCEL Information
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ExCEL Calendar
Course Description - Grades 2-3
Course Description - Grades 4-6

Continental Math League Information
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CML Terms
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Enrichment Opportunity
If you are looking for math enrichment opportunities for your child (grade 3-6) check out this University of Minnesota web site www.itcep.umn.edu/enrich/


TESTING

High Performance Testing (6th)

Testing of students for next year’s 7th grade HP classes (English, science, social studies, math) will take place in January 2008. First trimester grades are critical because they are a significant part of the of the identification process. Acceptance in HP Math 7 also includes NWEA test results. More information will be sent in early November to the parents/guardians of all 6th grade students.

SOI testing: Grades 3-5

Testing for future ExCEL services will take place in January. Talk with your child’s teacher for more information.

SOI testing: Grades 1 & 2

A letter will be mailed in November to the parents of all 1st grade students offering the opportunity have their child screened for the ExCEL program. Parents of 2nd grade students should contact their classroom teacher if they wish to have their child screened. Testing will take place in January.

BASIC INFORMATION:

EXCEL is a pull-out program, funded at the discretion of the school board, for students in need of curriculum differentiation who have been identified for placement in seminars either through formal identification or nomination by classroom teachers. The ExCEL instructor meets with small groups of students (12 or less) weekly, for approximately 1.25 to 1.5 hours to work on critical thinking, problem solving, creative thinking, inventing and logical reasoning skills through a variety of enrichment activities. These are typically enrichment activities, not acceleration. Since the students are working on challenging activities while in the ExCEL room, teachers are asked to eliminate, reduce or modify the classroom assignment. For example; the last half of the math assignment, every other problem on a worksheet, etc.

The ExCEL teacher will also coordinate the following activities:  

·        CML (Continental Math League) - grades 2-6. Selected math students are given instruction in problem solving techniques by the classroom teacher or the ExCEL teacher and then take part in a national competition.

·        Testing Services - The ExCEL instructor coordinates the following testing/observation activities to facilitate the identification of students for service:

     SOI - Structure of the Intellect testing for grades 1-2 in the spring and grades 3-6 in the winter.

     HP - Grade 6 High Performance testing in the winter for possible inclusion in the junior high HP     classes (English, math, science and social studies).

·        Consultation Services - The ExCEL teacher can help provide materials and teaching strategies to parents and classroom teachers thus helping to meet the needs of talented learners.

In addition, individual buildings may offer other enrichment experiences based on building needs and the schedule of the TAG teacher, for example: Enrichment Room, Enrichment Classes, Stock Market Game, MathMasters & WordMasters, Egg Drop, ExCEL Expo, etc.

Due to budget reductions the following adjustments have been made:

·        A 34% reduction in staff across the district

·        Reduction of TAG coordinator from 1.0 to .5

·        Academic challenges (DI, FPS, etc.) will be fee based

·        The following are still on hiatus:

ü     SEM (Schoolwide Enrichment Model) – a systematic program that provides enrichment for all students in the building.

ü     Inventors Workshop/Young Inventors Fair - grades 4-6. Students are invited to create an original invention for the school and district Inventors Fairs.

ü     Young Authors Conference – gr. 5-6

ü     Creativity Festival – gr. 5-6

ü     Physics Force Circus – gr. 4

Important Terms:

·        TAG: Talented and Gifted

·        ExCEL: Extended Curriculum for Elementary Learners

·        SEM: Schoolwide Enrichment Model - A program created by Dr. Joseph Renzulli to provide organized enrichment for all students.

·        Core Group: Students who were identified for service through testing (IQ, SOI or standardized) in the top 3-5% of the general population. They may choose the seminars they wish to take.

·        Talent Pool: Students who were identified through testing or observation in the top 6-10%. They have no guaranteed services but get the first look when there are openings in seminars after core group registration.

QUESTIONS ???

Mike Odell (763/420-8888, odellm@district279.org) or

Beth Carpenter, Supervisor of TAG programs (763/391-7089, carpenterb@district279.org)

 


This page updated on 04/07/2008 by TK.