Intermediate SAGE - grades 3 - 5
This information is from the SAGE page on the North Kansas City School District website.
On a typical day at an Intermediate (3-5) SAGE Center choices abound for each SAGE student as they proceed through their day: individualized work stations in exploratory centers, independent study time, mathematics problems solving, and critical thinking lessons. In addition to these activities, students meet together with their gifted peers for teacher directed instruction and discussion. These choices are written down on a daily log sheet specifying their activities for that day.The log sheet is then sent home for parents to view. There will be slight variances between the centers to account for the unique needs of the students.
Students investigate various components of art, science, social studies, math, communication arts, music, physical education and health with regard to their choice of exploratory centers. At an exploratory center students have an opportunity to choose and individually investigate such topics as: Ancient China, Ancient Egypt, Pyramids, Seven Wonders, Stonehenge, Titanic, Vikings, Bridges, Codes & Ciphers, Sign Language, Art Fraud Detective, Aestheometry, M.C. Escher, Mozart, Amelia Earhart, Cleopatra, Owls, Sharks, Scorpions, Robotics, Renewable Energy, Shakespeare, Asteroids, Microscopes, Mt. Everest, Tsunamis, and many others.
Each student chooses at least three centers a year, all keyed to Bloom’s taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation) and higher-level thinking activities. Throughout this discovery process, students utilize computers to research and develop mini-projects using programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point, and Inspiration. While at the exploratory center, students investigate the topic by reading informational materials, viewing educational videos, and exploring topics on selected sites on the computer. Once they have gained some knowledge about the topic, they are asked to demonstrate what they have learned by completing projects which show Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation of the data. Examples of projects might include posters that teach others, three-dimensional models and descriptions, original narrative stories or expository books, real world problem solving, comparison graphs and charts.
Math time in SAGE is also individualized. A variety of topics can be chosen. In addition to the basic four number operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, some students choose early algebra, topology, graphing, permutations, probability, fractions, ratios, exponents, square roots, tessellations, and geometry. Some opportunities may exist for students to participate in the Math Olympiad competition, which is a nationally recognized program that exposes the students to higher-level mathematical challenges. This opportunity is not individualized.
Intermediate students receive Spanish language instruction during the SAGE day with a different theme each week. The Spanish instructor uses review and practice as well as games, songs, and activities to reinforce student mastery of beginning vocabulary. Spanish is one of the highlights of the day.
Critical thinking challenges occur through a variety of activities. Clever challenges provide the necessary “out of the box” experiences that excite gifted students.
Students spend some time each class day on computers learning basic applications of Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point. Students may also learn Inspiration which teaches students to create and use graphic organizers to show and explore ideas and relationships. Additionally, students also learn how to do advanced Internet searches and to use the district’s on-line resources.
On a typical day at an Intermediate (3-5) SAGE Center choices abound for each SAGE student as they proceed through their day: individualized work stations in exploratory centers, independent study time, mathematics problems solving, and critical thinking lessons. In addition to these activities, students meet together with their gifted peers for teacher directed instruction and discussion. These choices are written down on a daily log sheet specifying their activities for that day.The log sheet is then sent home for parents to view. There will be slight variances between the centers to account for the unique needs of the students.
Students investigate various components of art, science, social studies, math, communication arts, music, physical education and health with regard to their choice of exploratory centers. At an exploratory center students have an opportunity to choose and individually investigate such topics as: Ancient China, Ancient Egypt, Pyramids, Seven Wonders, Stonehenge, Titanic, Vikings, Bridges, Codes & Ciphers, Sign Language, Art Fraud Detective, Aestheometry, M.C. Escher, Mozart, Amelia Earhart, Cleopatra, Owls, Sharks, Scorpions, Robotics, Renewable Energy, Shakespeare, Asteroids, Microscopes, Mt. Everest, Tsunamis, and many others.
Each student chooses at least three centers a year, all keyed to Bloom’s taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation) and higher-level thinking activities. Throughout this discovery process, students utilize computers to research and develop mini-projects using programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point, and Inspiration. While at the exploratory center, students investigate the topic by reading informational materials, viewing educational videos, and exploring topics on selected sites on the computer. Once they have gained some knowledge about the topic, they are asked to demonstrate what they have learned by completing projects which show Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation of the data. Examples of projects might include posters that teach others, three-dimensional models and descriptions, original narrative stories or expository books, real world problem solving, comparison graphs and charts.
Math time in SAGE is also individualized. A variety of topics can be chosen. In addition to the basic four number operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, some students choose early algebra, topology, graphing, permutations, probability, fractions, ratios, exponents, square roots, tessellations, and geometry. Some opportunities may exist for students to participate in the Math Olympiad competition, which is a nationally recognized program that exposes the students to higher-level mathematical challenges. This opportunity is not individualized.
Intermediate students receive Spanish language instruction during the SAGE day with a different theme each week. The Spanish instructor uses review and practice as well as games, songs, and activities to reinforce student mastery of beginning vocabulary. Spanish is one of the highlights of the day.
Critical thinking challenges occur through a variety of activities. Clever challenges provide the necessary “out of the box” experiences that excite gifted students.
Students spend some time each class day on computers learning basic applications of Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point. Students may also learn Inspiration which teaches students to create and use graphic organizers to show and explore ideas and relationships. Additionally, students also learn how to do advanced Internet searches and to use the district’s on-line resources.