SIGNET

Schools Involved in Gifted Needs of Education Today

Goals of SIGNET:

Allow students to explore different approaches to solving problems
Encourage students to explore higher levels of thinking skills emphasizing analysis, synthesis, and evaluation
Develop student products with originality, flexibility, fluency, and elaboration
Provide students with interdisciplinary approaches to content areas
Establish a student-centered environment conducive to intellectual risk-taking
Foster student development as a self-disciplined, self-motivated individual
Challenge students to develop curiosity leading to life-long learning
Require students to develop skills of meta cognition

 

General Information

Stonewall Middle School has a site-based gifted program known as SIGNET. Students are identified using a multi-criteria matrix including ability test scores, achievement test scores, state test scores, grades, parent comments, teacher recommendations, and student work. Students found eligible for services participate in a dual services model with daily extended classes as well as enrichment opportunities through the SIGNET center two-periods per week.

Testing will be held at the school three more times during the year. Cases are then presented at the school level and at the county level. Identification is determined by the county level committee in January, March, and May.

Interested parents should contact Mrs. Wiseman, wisematb@pwcs.edu .

 


Student Centers

Students may choose any center to complete by following a contract. Centers may have 3 levels: novice, apprentice, and master. Students must complete the lower level successfully before moving to a higher level. Students may choose a variety of novice centers or may choose 1 subject to explore in depth by working novice to master. All contracts are open to negotiations!

 

  • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN – Students will investigate architectural trends in home design, draw floor plans to scale
    and produce design products that reflect knowledge of the elements, language, sites, and history of architecture. In
    addition, they will design house floor plans, create 3D models, and extend their skills with computer technology by
    using Computer Assisted Design programs. Finally, they will research architecture in historical perspective and
    create personal unique architectural standards of their own.
  • BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR – Students will determine basic elements of a successful business. They will choose
    items to support a school bookstore for “Middle School of America”. At higher levels, they will use software programs
    to manage a music group, manage a hotel, manage an amusement park, or several other options.
  • CASTLE - Students will investigate the historical basis and analyze the components of castles, as well as create an
    architectural design for a castle based on authentic medieval models.
  • CHALLENGE OF THE DECADES – Students will research events of a specific decade (the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s
    or 90’s) utilizing computer technology (with interactive lessons) and historical data.
  • CRIMEBUSTERS – Students will practice techniques of criminal investigation including fingerprinting techniques and
    evidence analysis to solve scenarios presented at varied levels of difficulty.
  • DR. SEUSS ON THE LOOSE – Students will read biographical excerpts about Theodore Geisel’s life as well as several
    his books to analyze the “Seuss-style” and themes; additionally they will choose to write Seuss-type products which
    include narrative verse, want ads, political cartoons, parodies, and an original story with original characters.
  • EGYPT – Students study parts of the ancient civilization including artwork and games.
    INTERNET CRUISES – Students will navigate the Internet to become a travel expert for a cruise company. With the
    help of Internet research tools, students will create a travel itinerary. They will publish “passports”, postcards, a
    scrapbook, and an expert report using multiple software programs and the digital camera. Working alone or with
    partners, they will design and deliver a PowerPoint presentation to advertise their cruise.
  • INTERIOR DESIGN - Students will explore design concepts to determine their personal styles. They will use the
    elements of design as well as Computer Assisted Design software to create an original dream room design plan,
    to role play as a designer and design plans for a client, and, ultimately, to design an entire house.
  • LANDSCAPE DESIGN – Students will become familiar with plants, determine site problems to overcome, analyze and satisfy client needs, and create site plans. After researching a specific site, students will develop blueprints and 3D views using computer software.
  • LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS – Students will create a zoo and develop a plan to provide for the
    needs of the animals they chose to inhabit the zoo or refuge. At higher levels, they use computer software to
    apply their skills in simulations.
  • MATH AND ART – students combine geometry and creativity to create a variety of designs. They create a transformation between two items in at least five frames.
  • Medicine: “ER Doctor” – Students will investigate the educational path to earn a medical degree and anatomical details about the skeletal system. They will also choose an area of medical specialization such as pediatrics, cardiology, or neurology. After researching the causes and symptoms of major diseases and disorders, the specialists will attempt to diagnose symptoms.
  • MYTHOLOGY - Students will read a variety of myths in order to analyze the characteristics of a myth and compare myths from many cultures around the world.
  • NOTABLE WOMEN – Students will investigate achievements of women around a theme of their choice. They will identify characteristics of admirable women in a collage.
  • ORIGAMI – Students investigate the math involved in basic forms of this ancient art.
  • POETRY– Students will investigate techniques and terminology used by poets in their poetry and
    investigate published poetry to demonstrate a theme.

    POLYOMINOES – Students will use spatial relations skills and strategic problem-solving skills to fill spaces with
    pentominoes and relate them to math vocabulary.
  • PRODUCT DESIGN – Students create responses to a series of prompts requiring creative problem solving. They make their own invention and analyze its impact on society.
  • SHAKESPEARE – Students will demonstrate an understanding of Shakespeare’s language, characters, and plots. They will also examine the characteristics of the Elizabethan Age and Shakespeare’s theater.

    SIGN LANGUAGE- Students will use American Sign Language software to demonstrate proficiency in using ASL,
    to utilize finger spelling at multiple levels of difficulty, and to choose an area of interest to study in depth.
  • SIMPLE MACHINES – Students follow simple diagrams to create examples of the scientific machines. At the highest level, they use a software program, “Incredible Machines”.
  • STRATEGY GAMES – Students work in partners to play multi-cultural games. They must describe their thought processes and their successes. They rank games by difficulty of the strategy required to be successful.
  • 3-D – Students will construct, manipulate, and transform three-dimensional objects physically, mentally, and document their constructions applying mathematical terms.
  • TANGRAMS – Students will develop geometry and spatial skills as they solve problems using tangram puzzles.
  • VACATIONS UNLIMITED –Students plan a vacation in state, in the USA, and then in the world.
  • VETERINARY SCIENCE – Students will analyze the qualities and skills that a successful veterinarian should
    possess and summarize the training needed to earn a degree as a doctor of veterinary medicine. They will analyze
    abnormal symptoms of common household pets in an attempt to “diagnose” disorders of domestic animals.
  • WHAT’S UP IN SPACE? – Students will extend their knowledge of our solar system and explore various
    components of the American space program using NASA materials and the internet.
  • WRITING FOR FUN AND FAME – Students will create a collection of writings in a particular genre. They will use the editing/revising process including peer review

 

Classes 2006-7, Stonewall Middle School SIGNET

6th grade – “Building With a Bang” –
6th graders begin with this class. It is based on toothpick bridges. Each team has a budget. They have various roles in the business plus they must create an environment and a story to explain the environment. It is helpful at the beginning of the year to find out how they work together. They quickly show who is strong verbally and quantitatively. The groups worked 5 sessions and are judged by 8th graders with rubrics. The 8th graders have come to see being judges as a privilege. I play “IB Hassle” who levies fines for noise, trash, not following directions, etc. which helps establish the routines I want quickly and in an enjoyable way.

6th grade – “Silver City”
Students work cooperatively to solve a mystery in a mountain mining area. They do science experiments and research to solve the problem.

7th grade – “Lewis and Clark” – Interact Unit
The students use primary sources and review geography terms and skills. The directions are to rotate job positions. The students develop creative responses as they race across the country.

7th graders – Rainbow Bay – Interact Unit
Rainbow Bay combines civics, life science, math, language, and technology skills and culminates in a big town council meeting. Each crew has to make a presentation about their route for roads and an animal preserve. The presentations are made in the auditorium. 8th graders act as the council.

8th graders – Roller Coaster and Chaos Tower
The 8th graders complete a cooperative activity of constructing a large roller coaster from K-Nex or a Chaos Tower.

8th graders – National History Day or Robotics
As a personal project or independent study, the students follow the rubrics for either competition. They can work alone or in groups on History Day; they must be in groups for robotics. They have to work to a theme which I think is a great way to learn to “spin” ideas.