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McNair has the only full-time Gifted Student
program for middle school in Brevard County. An Accelerated
program also provides the intellectual stimulation for advanced
students. With both programs, textbooks are optional as students
learn core subjects through hands-on projects and interactive
learning devices. Gifted and accelerated students learn at
a faster pace in a challenging and motivating curriculum
taught by certified gifted instructors. Language Arts, Social
Studies, Mathematics, Science,
Family and Consumer Science including Science Research form
the Gifted/Accelerated curriculum. Advanced students also
can earn high school credit in Math and Foreign Language. |
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Check out the new FLDOE web site for Gifted!
FLDOE Bureau of Instruction and Innovation
Want a complimentary copy of Gifted Education Press Quarterly? Send an e-mail to GEPQ to receive the Fall 2007 issue. |
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Program Benefits
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Intellectual, Emotional, Social
Gifted children NEED the intellectual stimulation of a full-time
gifted program with an enriched curriculum and learning environment
such as ours. They benefit immensely from close association
with a gifted and talented peer group. This allows for collaboration
as well as friendly competition -- and they form lasting
friendships with other kids who are like them. Among a “regular
education” peer group, gifted students feel like oddities,
but not here!
Students may participate in individual and small group sessions
to meet the unique social and emotional needs of gifted learners
such as perfectionism, underachievement, stress reduction,
coping skills, self-evaluation, goal setting and time management.
Although they are advanced intellectually, gifted children
are still children emotionally and socially, and -- especially
when they are just leaving the warm cocoon of elementary
school -- they still need a loving, nurturing, “family” atmosphere.
With our small campus, small class sizes, and caring teachers,
we provide that at McNair. Gifted students learn to effectively
communicate on an advanced level using complex information
and diverse concepts through group or individual presentations,
audio and visual aids, dramatizations, role playing, debates,
portfolios, multimedia presentations and graphic displays.
Gifted students learn to function in various leadership roles,
and contribute effectively to the efforts of the group, and
the larger team. Instruction is tied to a theme, and is coordinated
across the four core disciplines of language arts, social
studies, math and science. Field trips are incorporated throughout
the year.
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Program Extras
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Socialization and Support
At McNair, we empower our students to learn about
themselves and each other; their role in the world as
gifted individuals; and give them tools, strategies and
support for developing their strengths, pursuing their
special talents and interests, and minimizing
individual weaknesses by tapping into the strengths
of others to get a job done.
Before School Academic Support is available to any student desiring help with any subject
or project. The before school program meets Mondays, Tuesdays,
and Thursdays from 8:00AM - 9:00AM.
Before School Special Interest Clubs are offered each year
depending on the interests of the students and availability
of sponsors.
Lunch Seminars are available daily in selected
GSP classrooms:
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Students eat and
socialize with their peers.
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Students are involved in focused
discussions on timely topics
of interest such as current events, ethical dilemmas, teen, school, or social
problems.
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Students interact informally
with GSP teachers who provide
mentoring, tutoring, and coaching.
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Service Learning Opportunities are available which benefit individuals or groups:
Holiday canned food drive, office paper and phone book recycling, and Trash Bash.
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Language Arts
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McNair’s gifted language arts class
stresses enjoyment of reading, vocabulary expansion, understanding
of literary devices, appreciation of literature, including
novels, drama, poetry, non-fiction, and short stories.
The writing process is used to explore descriptive, expository, narrative, and
persuasive writing. Various writing activities are designed to improve paragraph construction, sentence structure, and grammatical skills thus enhancing the ability to effectively communicate through writing.
The gifted language arts curriculum helps students grow as communicators: writers,
readers, speakers, listeners, and most importantly, as thinkers.
Students have numerous opportunities to participate in several regional, state
and national competitions:
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Daughters of the American
Revolution Patriotic Essay Contest
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Brevard County Writing Contest
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Florida Future Problem Solving Scenario
Writing
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Brevard County Spelling Bee
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Sunshine State Battle of the Books
Competition
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Accelerated Reader Competition |
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Mathematics
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The gifted math program at McNair consists
of three advanced courses:
Advanced Pre-Algebra, Algebra
1 Honors and Geometry Honors. All entering 7th graders have
the choice of two different tracks to follow. The only difference
is the total number of high school credits earned while at
McNair.
The Advanced Pre-Algebra course is an introduction
to Algebra and Geometry. It is the beginning of actual Algebra
concepts and many lessons pertaining to the only Geometry
applications the student will experience before the high
school Geometry course. This course develops the basic
skills students need before beginning Algebra 1 Honors.
This is an accelerated course; therefore, students will
complete daily homework as well as other investigative
projects.
Algebra 1 Honors is an accelerated course that focuses
on the application of the algebraic concepts. This course
utilizes advanced math concepts but it is equally rewarding
as students learn to deduce and analyze ideas necessary
for accelerated math instruction. Students are expected
to complete daily homework assignments as well as investigative
projects throughout the year.
Geometry Honors is designed
to challenge the gifted learner with the shift from algebraic
to spatial thinking and reasoning. The course focuses on
concrete aspects of math and logical reasoning with proofs.
Even though the course is an honors level one, many gifted
students tend to excel due to the real-life application
and usefulness of the material.
McNair Magnet School also challenges gifted math students
by participating in several math competitions: The Duke
Talent Search (7th grade only), American Mathematics Competition,
Continental Math League and county-sponsored tournaments,
such as Math Counts, a fun, energetic, fast-paced and challenging
competition.
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Science
Visit Robofest on the web. Under locations click: Rockledge, Florida.
McNair Magnet School... the ONLY Florida location!
Robofest
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McNair’s gifted science program
provides a comprehensive, hands-on, activity-based approach
to science education and follows the K-12 curriculum spiral
for Brevard County.
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Team approach to
topics across the subject areas
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Utilizes computers, the Internet,
multimedia in lessons
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Addresses multiple learning styles
in varied assignments
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Allows students opportunities
to learn at their level
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Opportunities to work with other
students on team projects
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Instruction on how to access and
use Internet and
media center resources |
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Science Research (elective)
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McNair’s Science Research
Program was established in 1990. We have a proven track record
of award-winning success. McNair research students have continued
to excel in high school science research, earning regional,
state, national and even Presidential recognition! While
not limited to gifted students, applicants must score at
level 5 in reading and exhibit a high level of motivation.
Students
learn:
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Problem Solving
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Literature Research Skills
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Sophisticated Lab Techniques
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Organizational Skills
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Communication Skills
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Presentation Skills |
Other Opportunities
Available to Students:
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National Science Olympiad
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NSF Bayer Community Project
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SECME
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Solar Car Competition - Click here and take a look
at our Award winning Team
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Discovery Science Challenge
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Florida Junior Academy of Sciences |
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Orlando Science Center Science Challenge |
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Space Congress Science Fair |
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Earth Day Poster Contest |
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Regional Science and Engineering Fair |
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Florida State Science and Engineering Fair |
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Science Bowl |
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Social Studies
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McNair’s gifted social studies program
offers a warm, homey, learning environment and provides a
creative approach to a rigorous curriculum.
Social Studies
Curriculum
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7th grade: World
Cultures
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8th grade: American History to
1877
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The inter-disciplinary team coordinates in a variety of educational
field trips, and students have opportunities to participate
in several regional, state, and national competitions:
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National Current Events League |
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Knowledge Master Open |
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Florida Stock Market Game |
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Social Studies Olympiad |
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Geography Bee |
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Geography Olympiad
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The arts are incorporated into the History program in a “hands-on” curriculum
that allows student expression in a variety of products/projects. A sampling
of these include:
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architectural design projects in
gingerbread |
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mini political conventions |
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model United Nations Project - See pictures below. |
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The purpose of the Model United Nations Project is to encourage student awareness of current global events and issues as well as to develop research, writing, speaking, and geographic skills. This “hands on” experience in the area of world affairs allows students to learn respect for opposing viewpoints and to utilize human interaction as a tool for peaceful change. As students’ debate world issues and wrestle with international problems, they will seek creative solutions to complicated situations. |
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medieval fairs |
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Junior Olympics |
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soap sculpture
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sewing molas and quilting |
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mock trials |
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music and dance |
United Nations Day- November 10, 2006
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Law Studies
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Law Studies involves students in mock
trials as a learning tool for teaching criminal and civil
law, the court system, and the US Constitution. Guest speakers
and field trips are also part of the learning environment. |
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Enrollment Criteria
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Call the Magnet Office to request application
materials.
The Gifted Program:
McNair has the ONLY full-time Gifted Student Program in Brevard
County for middle school. All students who are officially
staffed into the Brevard County Gifted Student Program are
eligible. These students have previously met a variety of
eligibility criteria, including intelligence testing, should be enrolled. Bus transportation is arranged by the
school district.
The Accelerated Program:
is open to all students
who want a rigorous, challenging curriculum.
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a love of learning and a high
level of self-motivation
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Shadowing Days:
Any student
who is considering our Gifted or Accelerated Program is most welcome to come
and try us out for a day. Simply call our Magnet Office at 633-3630 ext 1015
to arrange for a Shadowing Day.
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