Advanced Work Class Description and Departmentalized Fifth Grade Plan

Tatum Ridge’s Advanced Work Class (AWC) is based on the best practices in gifted education. AWC classes consist of identified gifted and high achieving students within each grade level. Students not yet identified as gifted must requalify each year. Teachers use a project based learning style of teaching to enrich the grade level curriculum. The goal of each AWC class is to challenge each student to achieve his or her fullest potential in the learning process.

5^th grade Modified Departmentalization Plan for 2008- 2009

 There will be  6 homeroom sections of 5^th graders, plus one 5th grade Advanced Work Class, which will operate independently.  Three teachers will be assigned to teach Language Arts (Reading, Writing, and Spelling)/Social Studies for 2 hour time blocks, while three teachers will be assigned to teach Math and Science for 1 hour periods.  One day a week, each teacher will stay with his/her homeroom to work on projects, go on field trips, invite in guest speakers, etc.  That day will also be coordinated with Chorus, Student Council, Media Center time, and other special activities.

 This will give students the best of both worlds- a self-contained classroom, one day a week, and a taste of rotating to other teachers, like in middle school.  The teacher teams will work closely together, organizing students and helping them with study skills. Because the teachers are specializing in their areas of expertise, students will benefit from the knowledge base and enthusiasm of each teacher. This system will train students to become independent and responsible, yet give students a feeling of having a home base.