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Mystery!
BOYCE MIDDLE SCHOOL - SIXTH GRADE GIFTED PROGRAM
The sixth grade gifted program incorporates the theme of mystery as it applies to the various academic disciplines and ways of looking at the world. Using a broad approach designed to enhance the student’s outlook academically, holistically, and intellectually, the student will be exposed to expanded units of literature, writing, logic, etc., including the following areas of study:
***MYSTERY LITERATURE and WRITING: Ellen Raskin’s Newbery medal winning novel, The Westing Game, will be read and discussed with multiple connective activities to reinforce concepts and learning. Students will also write a formal analytical paper about this novel.
***FORENSIC SCIENCE: Students will learn about forensic science and basic methodology. Used to unravel the unknown, gifted learners will recognize facets of forensic science as they study historical mysteries including Utzi and Anastasia Romanov, among others. Various classroom activities will reinforce this learning.
***SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, ART, LOGIC and PHILOSOPHY: Interdisciplinary activities that push into and pull out of the academic classroom will expand learning in various academic disciplines. Calling upon 21stcentury skills, students will creatively pursue various learning paths.
***VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT: The gifted student will expand his or her verbal repertoire with SAT vocabulary. Weekly assignments will be expected, and classroom activities will solidify verbal mastery.
In addition to the classroom component, the gifted learner will have the opportunity to delve into various pursuits and competitions of interest including, among others:
**FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM– Students learn a six-step problem-solving process and work with a small group as they develop creative and analytical thinking skills, expand communication and research skills and generate interest in a potential futuristic problem.
**K’NEX STEM DESIGN CHALLENGE– Teams of students work on an engineering challenge to design and build a K’Nex structure, complete with blueprint and narrative.
**SHAKESPEARE MONOLOGUE & SCENE COMPETITION– Students work individually or in small groups to memorize and perform an authentic monologue or scene from William Shakespeare’s writings, culminating with a competition at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
**STEAM– Students work individually or with a partner on a Science,Technology, Engineering,Arts, and/or Mathematics project of their choosing that will ultimately be presented to their peers.
One day academic events will be offered. Numbers are limited, and students will be required to submit a written paragraph; a registration fee is usually needed. These events include:
*AMERICA BOWL *CREATIVE CONVENTION
*HISTORY BOWL *WILD INVESTIGATIONS
*SCIENCE BOWL