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Kicking it up a Notch!

Participants: T. Bruno, K. Donelli, R. Durham, D. Favro, N. Garrand, C. Miller, J. Nisoff, N. Strack, M. Walpole

Overview:
“Excellence is in the Details” Gregory L. Sullivan

Kicking it up a Notch is an expanded study program for all sixth-grade students. It is intended to build inquiry and critical thinking skills, provide students with opportunities for in-depth study of subject areas, and improve writing skills.

Through the use of literature, documents, periodicals and texts, students will learn to locate, organize, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of print and electronic sources. They will work both independently and in groups to study within a content area, to develop and revisit ideas, to engage in stimulating discussion and to report their learning in meaningful, creative ways.

Our goal is for our students to develop skills that will build curiosity, encourage them to seek answers to their questions, and help them to enjoy the power and pride that comes with knowledge.

Content Areas: Strategies developed will enhance all areas of the curriculum.

Length of Instructional Time for Unit: One class period each day (or on alternating days as our scheduling allows), in five-week increments, for the duration of the school year.

Grade Level of Audience: Appropriate for upper elementary, middle school, high school—strategies developed will be broad-based to allow for implementation for a wide range of learning levels.

NYS Learning Standards Addressed:

ELA Standards:

• Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding
• Standard 2: Language for Literary Response and Expression
• Standard 3: Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation
• Standard 4: Language for Social Interaction

MST Standards:

• Standard 2:Information System
• Standard 3: Mathematics
• Standard 4: Science
• Standard 6: Interconnectedness: Common Theme
• Standard 7: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving

Social Studies Standards

• Standard 2: World History
• Standard 3: Geography
• Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government