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Open Door Program at Housel Middle School
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The
Prosser School District initiated the Open Door Program in order to better
serve students’ individual needs. It
was designed to serve those who show unusual academic, intellectual, and
creative abilities. Currently
the Open Door teacher at Housel Middle School is Dean
Smith.
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Open Door Goals
What
are the goals and objectives of the Highly Capable Program?
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Learn
to use the process of creative and productive thinking
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Develop
skills in critical thinking
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Learn
to use the process of higher level thinking
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Develop
skills that will expand self-direction in independent
study and research
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Develop
and/or maintain a positive self-concept through awareness of individual
self-worth and the value of others
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Develop
interaction skills of listening and communicating
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Develop
potential for responsible leadership
The
Open Door Program offers students skills in the areas of higher level thinking
based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, logic, creativity, and self-direction.
Students are challenged in all areas of the curriculum individually and
cooperatively. They are given the
opportunity to enhance their organizational, leadership, and communication
skills and encouraged to develop and use creativity and imagination.
Curriculum Guidelines
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Curriculum
for the Open Door program will be based on the following guidelines.
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It
will seek to help the student develop a positive self esteem through unique
intellectual challenges that extend beyond the traditional classroom.
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Student
activities will use project based learning which fosters individual
creativity ,risk taking, problem solving, and critical higher level thinking
skills.
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Students
will work on advancing communication skills including listening, speaking,
writing, and presenting.
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Curriculum
will involve information literacy, including modern technology, for use in
problem solving activities.
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Students
will seek to develop social skills, leadership, and quality self assessment,
both individually and as part of a group.
Middle School Emphasis
Curricular Goal
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Each year, students in the program will have exposure to challenging
technology, literature, science, history, and math units.
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Specific descriptions for
8th, 7th, and
6th grade activities are detailed here.
Philosophy and
Rationale
Both the state of Washington and the Prosser School District believe that
the purpose of education is to encourage every child to develop his/her greatest
potential. Because each child is unique and has different educational
needs and potentials, the school must provide opportunities for assuring
learning experiences to help all children develop skills and attitudes
fundamental to achieving individual satisfaction as responsible contributing
citizens.
We believe that students identified as highly capable need qualitatively
different educational programs based on their learning styles, advanced
accomplishments, and interests. As
all other students they must have educational experiences at an appropriate
level for them. An adequate program
must be diverse, advanced, and complex to reflect the abilities of the students
in the program.
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