• Sunrise Elementary School Gifted Services

    Syllabus for 1st - 6th Grade Students

    Academic Year 2024-2025

    Program Overview:

    Sunrise Elementary School Gifted Services is dedicated to nurturing the intellectual, creative, and emotional needs of our gifted students. Throughout the academic year, students will engage in challenging and enriching activities that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Activities are designed to cater to the diverse needs of gifted learners across all grade levels, from 1st through 6th grade. 

    Deer Valley Unified School District uses the Depth and Complexity framework to empower learners to be independent thinkers and creative problem-solvers.  The primary objective of the framework is to provide students with challenging learning opportunities.

    Grade Levels Covered:

    • 1st - 2nd Grade: Focus on foundational skills in critical thinking, creativity, and early research.
    • 3rd - 4th Grade: Introduction to more complex problem-solving, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary studies.
    • 5th - 6th Grade: Advanced exploration of subjects, independent research, and leadership skills development.

    Structure:

    The program is divided into four quarters, each focusing on different themes and skills. Each grade level will have differentiated activities tailored to their developmental stage.  Students in the program receive enrichment services for 30 minutes each day.  Our walk-to-math program enables learners to engage in higher-grade-level coursework.

    Quarter 1: Creative & Critical Thinking (August - October)

    Objectives:

    • Develop creative problem-solving skills.
    • Encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
    • Introduce students to logic puzzles and critical thinking exercises.

    Key Activities:

    • 1st - 2nd Grade: Simple puzzles, brainstorming sessions, and introductory creative writing.
    • 3rd - 4th Grade: Story creation, basic coding, and design challenges.
    • 5th - 6th Grade: Advanced logic puzzles, collaborative problem-solving tasks, and creative projects (e.g., invention prototypes).

    Quarter 2: Interdisciplinary Studies (November - January)

    Objectives:

    • Explore the connections between different academic disciplines.
    • Encourage students to see the world from multiple perspectives.
    • Develop research and presentation skills.

    Key Activities:

    • 1st - 2nd Grade: Thematic units that combine science, art, and literature (e.g., exploring animals through stories and crafts).
    • 3rd - 4th Grade: Research projects on a chosen theme (e.g., "How Things Work"), with a focus on cross-curricular integration.
    • 5th - 6th Grade: Independent research on complex topics (e.g., environmental studies, ancient civilizations), culminating in presentations or multimedia projects.

    Quarter 3: STEAM Exploration (February - March)

    Objectives:

    • Introduce students to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) concepts.
    • Promote hands-on learning through experimentation and design.
    • Foster a growth mindset in tackling challenging tasks.

    Key Activities:

    • 1st - 2nd Grade: Simple engineering challenges (e.g., building bridges with craft materials), basic coding, and art projects related to science.
    • 3rd - 4th Grade: Robotics basics, science experiments, and introduction to engineering concepts.
    • 5th - 6th Grade: Complex engineering challenges, coding projects, and integration of art in science and technology (e.g., designing and programming a simple robot).

    Quarter 4: Leadership & Ethical Thinking (April - June)

    Objectives:

    • Develop leadership skills and ethical decision-making.
    • Encourage collaboration and teamwork.
    • Prepare students for future academic and social challenges.

    Key Activities:

    • 1st - 2nd Grade: Team-building games, discussions on fairness and kindness, and class leadership roles.
    • 3rd - 4th Grade: Group projects with designated roles, debates on ethical dilemmas, and community service initiatives.
    • 5th - 6th Grade: Leadership workshops, peer mentoring, and developing personal codes of ethics or leadership projects (e.g., leading a school-wide initiative).

    Classroom Expectations:

    • Respect for all students' ideas and contributions.
    • Active participation in all activities.
    • Commitment to ethical behavior and teamwork.
    • Willingness to challenge oneself and try new things.

    Contact Information:

    • Email: Robert.Murray@dvusd.org