CHALLENGE PROGRAM
The Rockingham County elementary Challenge program is designed to provide enrichment activities for students who demonstrate intellectual talents and abilities that are different enough from those of their peers to such a degree that they require special educational services beyond the general curriculum to meet their educational needs. Without a program of services that differs from what is available in the regular educational program, the talents and abilities of many intellectually advanced students will remain undeveloped or underdeveloped.Criteria for entrance into the program involves the collection of a variety of data including intellectual testing, collection of educational portfolio materials, interviews, characteristic checklists, etc. This information is reviewed by the County Challenge Screening Committee who decides whether place is appropriate for the student. This committee is made up of trained individuals from all the county elementary schools. Notification of the findings of this committee is done by letter, and questions about the committee's findings can be directed to Mr. Fred Babbitt, Supervisor in the Rockingham County Central Office Building.
The Rockingham County Challenge elementary school program had major changes in the 1999/2000 school year. Services were divided into a day program and an after school program.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | |||
| Day Program | 9:30 - 3:00 | 9:30 - 3:00 | 930: - 3:00 | ||
| After School Program | 3:00 - 4:30 | 3:00 - 4:30 | 3:00 - 4:30 | ||
| 1st, 3rd | 2nd, 4th | 5th |
|---|
Challenge services will be provided on an alternating six-weeks basis.Students in grades 1-5 will participate in a Challenge "pull-out program" with other identified students and the Challenge teacher one times per week. For specific dates at your child's school, please refer to the enclosed information sheet. In addition to providing direct instruction to Challenge students, the Challenge teacher will be working in collaboration with the regular education teachers in your child's school to develop and implement additional advanced learning opportunities for students.
Changes in the program's focus:
1) The Challenge "pull-out program" will follow a standard curriculum sequence.The curriculum for the day program was adopted and set for all elementary Challenge programs in the county.
Rockingham County Public Schools
Challenge Program
Elementary Curriculum Framework
| Grade | 1st/2nd Grading Period |
3rd/4th Grading Period |
5th/6th Grading Period |
| K | Differentiated activities as appropriate | Mathematics Study: basic geometry sequence; patterns |
Technology: technology design plan, invent, produce and evaluate |
| 1 | Mathematics Study: spatial concepts, area symmetry, similarity, congruence | Science Study: insects and spiders, worms, and isopods |
Technology: engineering explorations gizmos and gadgets |
| 2 | Mathematics Study: tesselations, tanagrams, pentaminos | Science Study: animals and their habitats |
Technology: design technology aerodynamics |
| 3 | Mathematics Study: probability and statistics, algebraic patterns and functions | Science Study: simple machines compound |
Technology: design connections playground and geometrics |
| 4 | Mathematics Study: geometry and architecture | Science Study: applying electrical concepts | Technology: pneumatics, hydraulics and robotics |
| 5 | Mathematics Study: number systems and algebraic solutions | Science Study: archaeology |
Technology: motorized cars and bridges |
* Problem-based curricula developed by the University of William and Mary
2) An after-school Challenge Enrichment Program will be offered at each elementary school.During the periods that the Challenge teacher is working at your child's school, your child will have the opportunity to participate in an after school enrichment program. The goal of the after school program is to provide Challenge students with additional time to explore topics that extend beyond the regular curriculum. The program will operate from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Topics for the enrichment strand will vary. A description of the topics and instructions for registration will be sent home in advance of each offering.
The curriculum for the after school program are not set for all schools, and allow each school to have some choice into the menu of activities. This year the curriculum included:
| K - 1 program | Animals, Dinosaurs and Technology using toys |
| 2nd - 3rd program | Mystery Festival (science emphasis), Chemistry and Technology |
| 4th - 5th program | Geography - volcanoes, faults, games; Mystery Festival (science emphasis); and Technology - pneumatics, hydraulics, robotics |