Author: ZPS

Zeeland Public Schools
Program
For Academically
Gifted and Talented
4th and 5th Grade Students
Mission Statement
The Zeeland Public Schools Gifted and Talented program provides fourth and fifth grade students of high intellectual ability an environment which maximizes their learning potential.

Characteristics of
Gifted Learners
Curious about many ideas, issues and events
A “self starter” with ideas and projects
Demonstrates mature communication skills, including advanced vocabulary
Independent worker
Enjoys learning new and different concepts extending beyond the norm
Individual and group problem solver; unique and creative
Frequently asks probing questions
Enjoys creating many, varied and/or unusual products
Is committed to task completion and quality work.
We believe that it is not only essential to build good students, but to also build good people. We strive to provide an atmosphere which will foster the development of the following character traits
Responsibility Compassion
Respect Empathy
Loyalty Integrity
Politeness Kindness
Accountability Dedication
Tolerance Commitment
Honor Courage
Justice

Mastery of fourth/fifth grade core curriculum
Development of critical thinking and reasoning skills applied across content areas
Development of oral and written skills, including debate, oral reports, dramatic interpretation, and thoughtful discussion as well as creative, expository and scientific writings.
Development of research skills and methods, including use of the scientific method, and the ability to apply them across all domains
Mastery of the basic skills of reading and literary analysis at an advanced pace and enhanced depth appropriate to the capacities of able learners
Enrichment of mathematical skills
Development of understanding self, to include one’s own strengths and weaknesses
Development of sense of personal responsibility for achievement, for lifelong inquiry, for ethical conduct and for civic contribution.

The vision of the curriculum has been specifically designed for gifted and talented children and is based on the most recent research on the needs of able learners. These classrooms strive to provide students with opportunities for:

Learning Opportunities offered in
Fourth and/or Fifth Grade Classrooms
Professional Staff
Shannon Kalmink—Fourth Grade
Kelly Scaturro—Fifth Grade
Woodbridge Elementary School
Michael Dalman—Principal
9110 Woodbridge St.
Zeeland, MI 49464
Contact Information:
616.748.3400—Main Office
616.748-1436—fax
K. Scaturro—616.748.4777 x. 2339
kscaturr@zps.org
S. Kalmink
skalmink@zps.org

Curriculum Compacting
Hands-on Learning
Project Choices
Service Learning
Independent Learning Project
Science Olympics
Book Clubs—Novel Studies
Technology-Based Projects and Research
Character Building Assignments
Flexible Grouping
Accelerated Pacing
Oral Presentations
In-Depth Units of Study
Lateral Thinking