ECOLOGICAL STUDY

Using field studies students explore a wide variety of eco systems. Children at YSAFE observe study, draw and write about experiences.

WEATHER NET CLASSROOM

Young Scholars is proud to become a part of an award winning educational program called Weather Net which brings the power of real-time weather into the classroom. Weather Net links area schools together with the KPRC-TV Weather Center. This program was designed by the educators, engineers and meteorologists. A cool aspect of this program is that every school that has an Air Watch System is linked together as part of the AWS Worldwide School Weather Network, which today has over 4,000 members!

ACCELERATED READER

This technology-based curriculum works to accelerate reading growth for all students, from emergent readers to college prep. Students get excited about books. Accelerated Reader helps teachers focus attention on careful reading of books, which improves students’ critical-thinking skills and builds the intrinsic love of reading. Accelerated Reader provides you with reliable, objective information. Three different types of assessment give staff valuable data on students’ reading practice, literacy skills development, and performance on classroom assignments. The program helps keep each student challenged. Using AR, you can continually match students to appropriate books within their zone of proximal development (ZPD). This means we can ensure every student is challenged without being frustrated.

STAR READING

This technology-based assessment tool helps students achieve state standards! Standards Master is the new instant assessment and web-based reporting software that helps teachers:

• Measure student progress on your state standards throughout the year.

• Assess with test items that match your state standards down to the specific item level.

• Store student assessment data in one centralized, secure location.

• Generate detailed, customizable reports for all levels - district, school, class and student

• Disaggregate assessment data easily by any student characteristic.

ACCELERATED MATH

This technology-based program generates unlimited practice assignments—tailored to each student. Gives immediate, individualized feedback—shows what mistakes each student makes and so to let teacher help student correct them. Lets the teacher know that all objectives are being mastered—covering each student’s needs, abilities, and learning style – helps each student practice the precise skills necessary to move ahead at their own pace.

STAR MATH

This technology-based assessment tool is the assessment tool which helps students achieves state standards! Standards Master is the new instant assessment and web-based reporting software that helps teachers:

• Measure student progress on your state standards throughout the year.

• Assess with test items that match your state standards down to the specific item level

• Store student assessment data in one centralized, secure location.

• Generate detailed, customizable reports for all levels - district, school, class and student.

• Disaggregate assessment data easily by any student characteristic.

STAR EARLY LITERACY

STAR Early Literacy is the breakthrough, computer-adaptive diagnostic assessment and database that provide teachers with fast, accurate, and reliable feedback on pre-K through third-grade students. This program allows us to intervene faster and provide students with effective instruction during the most critical years of their literacy development!

STAR EARLY LITERACY HELPS

• Measure literacy skills accurately and reliably - Helps diagnose each student's commands of phonemic awareness, phonics and other readiness and literacy skills.

• Target instruction - Diagnostic, Growth and other information-packed reports help intervene faster and provide targeted instruction within existing curriculum.

• Eliminate student frustration - Adaptive Branching technology adjusts the difficulty level of each question based on a student's previous response.

SPELLING BEE

Student from third to fifth grade can participate in the Spelling Bee. Two students from each class complete at school level. Three winners go forward to represent YSAFE at the Alternative District Spelling Bee.

THEATRE ARTS

Students at YSAFE can participate in the theatre arts program. The actors and actresses perform throughout the year.

DEVELOPING CHARACTER

Developing positive character traits among children is vital in today's society. Curriculum is integrated to focus on developing the following: Responsibility, Perseverance, Caring, Self-discipline, Citizenship, Honest, Courage, Fairness and Respect.

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Gifted and Talented students are required to complete at least one independent research project each year. Students select from an established list of activities to fulfill this requirement. They can also do their research within the classroom at the teacher's discretion. These projects provide opportunities for students to pursue areas of interest in selected disciplines through guided and independent research. The following information is provided as a guide only; for specific and most up to date information, please contact the relevant teacher.

NAME THAT BOOK

This is a team competition sponsored by HISD. The participants are given a reading list at the beginning of the year and are expected to read as many of the books as possible. Students will keep a journal of their reading and will work as a group to create an anthology of book reviews in order to fulfill the research requirement. Each student on the team will be responsible for book reviews. At the competition, the host reads a statement describing an incident, character or setting from one of the books and team members have to figure out the name of the book.

For the official list of books for the 2003-2004 Name That Book competition. You will be able to link to other information about this year's competition from Library Programs & Contests as information is available.

HISTORY FAIR

HISD will provide the theme and instructions for this year's competition. After research, students will present their findings through a written report and a display. Project will be judged according to criteria provided by HISD. Entries will be recommended by Dean of Instruction.

DIGITAL PUBLISHING FAIR

Students will create a hard bound non-fiction book as an independent project utilizing the steps of the writing process they have been taught and their technology skills. Books will be created in a word processing program, like Microsoft, and may contain original digitally created images, or other clipart and graphics. Research of the topic and other requirements will be judged according to criteria provided by HISD. Some of these entries may be showcased in HISD's annual Young Authors' Digital Book Fair.

CLASSROOM PROJECT

This is an opportunity for students, grade levels, or classes to research and write about topics of special interest. In addition to writing a research paper, students may prepare a display to help in sharing their findings with classmates. Guidelines and expectations are developed by each classroom teacher or participating grade level. Students and teachers will work together to determine the project style and topic. This research is primarily done in class since it will be a part of the curriculum. For more information, contact class teacher.

SCIENCE FAIR - GRADES

The science fair is an inquiry-based project in which the student must conceive and plan a project, perform an investigation, and analyze data to arrive at some conclusions or some new understanding. Models (volcanoes, solar systems, etc.), collections (leaves, butterflies, rocks, etc.) and lab demonstrations do not fit these criteria. Approval of topics is required. The project must include the following: Purpose, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedures, Results, and Conclusion. The student must keep a log or journal in which day by day notes are recorded, showing what was done each time the student worked on the project. A final research report includes the research and summary of all work done. Students will display their project for judging.

FAMOUS ARTIST EXPOSITION

Students will choose an artist including, musicians, performers, dancers or any fine arts person and research that artist's family history plus his/her early middle and late works of art. In addition to gaining factual knowledge about an artist, students explore and sharpen skills in the fine arts and try to demonstrate original thought and creative thinking. Students will create an original piece of art that he/she believes the artist will/would have created next. A display will be created for judging.

INVENTOR'S CAUCUS

Students will invent a product to make a job or chore easier. An inventor's log is kept in which students record ideas, experiments and results or conclusions each time they work on their invention. This project includes research on an inventory or a product similar to student's invention. The final product would be included in a free-standing exhibit which can include photos, drawings and even an advertisement for the product.

YSAFE JOURNALISM PROJECT

Students will survey newspapers, magazines, radio, movies, television, advertising and emerging technologies. Students will examine economic and news functions of each. Students will explore the First Amendment and the consequence of media.

JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP

Utilizing the writing process student will publish, "The Quarterly Scholar". Internship will involve: reporting, writing, editing, publishing and distributing school and community news. Students will be encouraged to proofread all work before printing and will practice recycling of copies to be discarded.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPOSITION

Students will choose a business and research the history of that business plus its early challenges and present financial status. In addition to gaining factual knowledge about the business, students explore, develop and present a business plan that he/she believes would be a successful business today. Projects will be displayed for judging.

ENTREPRENEUR INTERNSHIP

Internships are designed to build knowledge, skills and attitudes. Strategies assist students in becoming reflective learners who can think about what they are learning, how their learning can be connected to what they already know and how their new learning can be applied. Students will have the opportunity to work in cooperative small groups to develop an effective team, interpersonal and intra-personal skills while learning to manage conflicts that arise. Students will assist parent association with fundraising, etc. Students will be encouraged to proofread all work before printing and will practice paper recycling of copies to be discarded. The environmental concerns relating to the impact of business on the local and global economies will also be addressed.