I. HCS Gifted and Talented Goals: Goal I: To support the mastery of core areas of learning at a pace, complexity, abstractness, and depth appropriate for gifted learners.
Goal II: To develop an understanding of concepts, themes, and issues which are fundamental to the disciplines as well as society and to develop an appreciation for interrelationships among the disciplines.
Goal III: To develop inquiry skills at a level of complexity, abstractness, and depth appropriate for gifted learners.
Goal IV: To develop the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making at a level of complexity, abstractness, and depth appropriate for gifted learners.
Goal V: To develop proficiency in communicating abstract and complex ideas, relationships, and issues.
II. Materials/Textbooks: South Carolina Mathematics Curriculum Standards Mentoring Mathematical Minds
Mentoring Mathematical Minds Scope & Sequence Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Unraveling the Mystery of the MoLi Stone: Place Value and Numeration (numbers and operations) In this unit students explore our numeration system in depth. Awesome Algebra: Looking for Patterns and Generalizations (algebra) In this unit students are encouraged to study patterns and determine how they change, how they can be extended or repeated, and/or how they grow. They then move beyond this to organize the information systematically and analyze it to develop generalizations about mathematical relationships in the patterns. Digging for Data: The Search Factors, Multiples, and Leftovers: Linking Multiplication and Division (numbers and operations) With an emphasis a deeper understanding of multiplication and division, students encounter a range of different problem situations and representations, learn about the relationship between multiplication and division and the properties associated with these operations. At the Mall with Algebra: Working with Variables and Equations (algebra) Students represent and analyze mathematical situations using algebraic symbols and in doing so they come to understand the basic notion of equality and equivalent expressions. They learn Treasures from the Attic: Exploring Fractions (numbers and operations) The focus of the entire unit is on making sense of fractions rather than on learning algorithms to perform computations. Record Makers and Breakers: Using Algebra to Analyze Change (algebra) Students learn about algebra as a set of concepts tied to the representation of relationships either by words, tables or graphs. They also learn about algebra as a style of mathematical thinking for formalizing patterns of change. They extend their notion of variable from a letter in an equation that represents a number to a more broad definition, that of a quantity 2011-2012
Within Research (data analysis and probability) In this unit on data analysis, students explore the world of the research scientist and learn how gathering, representing, and analyzing data are the essence of good research. Whats the ME in Measurement All About? (geometry and measurement) In this unit on measurement, students are actively engaged in the measurement process and connect it to their own personal worlds.
how variables are used to represent change in quantities and also to represent a specific unknown in an equation. Analyze This! Representing and Interpreting Data (data analysis and probability) Students learn what categorical data are and how to represent and analyze categorical data using new, more sophisticated ways. Getting Into Shapes (geometry and measurement) Students explore 2- and 3-dimensional shapes with a focus on their properties, relationships among them and spatial visualization.
that varies or changes. What are Your Chances? (data analysis and probability) Students begin their exploration of probability as a measurement of the likelihood of events. Funkytown Fun House: Focusing on Proportional Reasoning and Similarity (geometry and measurement) Students explore ratio as a comparison of two quantities. Students also explore the relationship between congruence and similarity
III. Assessments and Grading Scale: Assessments Grading Scale Daily Assignments Unit Projects Homework Check-Ups/Quizzes Class participation Think Deeply questions Comprehensive unit tests
Roger Dale Stafford, Sr. v. Ron Ward, Warden, Oklahoma State Penitentiary at McAlester Oklahoma Drew Edmondson, Attorney General of Oklahoma, 59 F.3d 1025, 10th Cir. (1995)