Welcome to the Cherokee County Elementary Project GOAL Program.  Students will attend Gifted/Talented class for a 40-minute period each day at their home school.  Each student will receive a Project GOAL grade on his/her regular report card.  The 2008-2009 Project GOAL course study focuses on mathematics and the science process skills.  The level of accomplishment in both subject areas will determine the Project GOAL grade.  This grade will be averaged with the student’s other grades for Honor Roll, Beta Club, and Student Council eligibility. 

        Investigation is our theme. for the Accelerated Science Process Skills curriculum.  During first semester, Elementary Project GOAL students will use these skills to delve into a unit entitled “Catastrophic Events” (the National Science Resource Center). “Crime Lab” (Great Exploration in Math and Science) is the title of the unit chosen for second semester.   A process skills approach to science instruction means that learning is focused on intellectual skills rather than on content.  Science process skills are the “most powerful tools we have for producing and arranging information about our world” (Dr. Karen, University Ostlund of Texas at Austin). They are, of course, essential as students learn to think like scientists.  Our study of the science process skills goes hand-in-hand with the district-wide implementation of Thinking Maps.  To develop a scientific way of thinking, students need various opportunities to work with the process skills in diverse content areas and contexts.  The study of storms via “Catastrophic Events” and the forensic activities in “Crime Lab” will challenge our students to develop and hone these skills.

        Exploration is our theme for the Accelerated Math curriculum, which is taken from Great Source Education Group (Division of Houghton Mifflin). This curriculum is advanced by one grade level and is comprised of enriching activities aligned with the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) standards.  In addition, our math curriculum addresses the South Carolina Gifted and Talented Regulations and South Carolina Mathematics Standards. 

        As students “explore”, they will span major math strands through activities that provide meaningful daily practice.  These activities are designed to improve students' confidence and proficiency with algebra, geometry, mental math, problem solving and to engage students through fun, thought-provoking activities that encourage participation and enjoyment in learning math concepts.