Tag Parent Information

TAG PARENT INFORMATION

TAG MISSION STATEMENT To push students beyond their intellectual comfort zone To encourage critical and creative thinking To provide opportunities to become collaborative team members To assist students in becoming real-world problem solvers and decision makers To facilitate a sense of confidence through leadership opportunities and public speaking activities

To promote experiences that foster independent thinking and learning

ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ????? Class size is limited to 22 Services are received one day a week using a “pull out” model

 While in TAG general class assignments are not required to be made up however, homework assignments, projects and tests will still be required

Three interdisciplinary units are taught a year connecting to Science and Social Studies. Units last 6 to 8 weeks

Once a student qualifies for TAG they will be offered TAG services each year unless he/she fails to meet the continuation criteria

 A progress report will be issued at the end of each unit. Grades are reported as S, N. NE and U

Students can go “inactive” voluntarily but must remain inactive for 18 weeks before returning

TAG does not assign homework; some students may choose to work at home

 Middle school schedules/ parent meeting

TYPICAL DAY IN TAG Class Meeting/Logic Puzzles Critical/Creative Problem Solving Unit Work Reflect and Respond Specials – with homeroom class Snacks and Water Recess Lunch

UNITS BY GRADE LEVEL

The timeline is subject to change to fit school/county activities, weather make-up days, additional testing, etc… TAG Lunch Time – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday- 11:40, Wednesday- 12:18

Birmingham Falls: TAG Units – 2018-2019

1st/2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Ocean Discovery

Ancient Civilization

American Revolution

Stock Market

Where in the World

Energy Crisis

Space Exploration

Epidemic

Unit 1:

Unit 2:

Unit 3: Survival All-Stars

Consumer Science

Camp Interdependence

Timeline/Dates Aug.-Nov. (9 weeks) 3-5 Classes Change TAG Testing: Sept. 17Oct. 4 IOWA: Oct. 22-30 Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 19-23 Nov.-Feb. (9 weeks) 3-5 Classes Change Winter Holidays: Dec. 20-Jan.4 TAG Testing: February 25-March 7

February–May Research Contract (9 weeks) Spring Break: April 1-5 GA Milestones: April

MIDDLE SCHOOL PLACEMENT The Initial Placement Criteria for a TAG Social Studies or Science class are as follows:

The Alternative Placement Criteria for a TAG class are as follows: (only one placement may be made via Alternative Placement Criteria) Eligible for TAG services Recommendation of 5th grade teacher of the content area Two of the following, with at least one addressing the specific content area Cumulative class average of 90% or better in 4th grade or first semester of 5th grade Iowa Achievement score > 90% in Total Reading Final Class average of 80% or greater in an advanced or accelerated math or language arts class Multiple work samples or products (for example: Science or Social Studies Fair placement)

Eligible for TAG services Recommendation of 5th grade teacher of the content area Class average of 90% or better in the content area in first semester of 5th grade 5th grade Iowa Achievement score of 90th percentile or better in the content area

Social Studies

%ile IOWA

Avg. Grade

Teacher Recommendation

Science

%ile IOWA

Avg. Grade

Teacher Recommendation

Total Reading IOWA

80%+ Avg in ADV Math or ELA

COMMUNICATION  TAG teachers will be sending home a folder or binder ½ way through each unit so you can see examples of the work your student has completed. You may keep ALL work, but please return binder or folder back to school.  Email is an effective way to communicate with us. We try to check our email during the school day however, school policy is that we have 24 hours to respond.  Please contact the front office if there is an emergency  Email: [email protected] [email protected]