The goals of the specifically designed program for GATE students at Monroe are:

• to ensure that each GATE student develops his/her abilities to the fullest.
• to provide alternative learning experiences for GATE identified students within the regular classroom.
• to provide higher level instruction and opportunities for enrichment in addition to the prescribed curriculum.

Mathematics
Strong parental support and student enthusiasm energize our Mastery Math program in grades two through five. The program organizes students across all grade levels into instructional groups that share a common need to learn the same skill or concept. A built-in assessment process evaluates performance and directs the student to appropriate placement and review, allowing students to progress through the different levels of math objectives at their own rate.

Students who complete the objectives in Mastery Math join an advanced class that utilizes a curriculum entitled Connected Mathematics. The focus is to create a supportive environment in which students apply their math skills to solving challenging problems.

Spanish as a Second Language
Spanish language instruction specifically designed for GATE students is provided twice weekly in thirty-minute sessions in grades three through five.

Performance Based Instruction
Performance Based Instruction is Monroe's model of an instructional delivery system designed to meet specific needs of all students in grades three through five. During four forty-five minute periods each week, GATE students are grouped by grade level. Thematic teaching strategies, with subjects based on student interest and teacher expertise, extend the GATE students' learning experience. The following topics comprise this year's program:

Grade 3

Photography
"A picture is worth a thousand words." This class is designed to introduce students to the basics of photography. Students will look at the history and development of photography. They will learn about lighting, composition and processing through text and hands-on experiences. Using their own point and shoot cameras, students will create a photo portfolio with critiques of their own work, as well as others. Irene Pattenaude

Newspaper Investigation and Publishing
Did you know that the first newspapers originated about 2000 years ago? This class is designed to introduce the students to our local and regional newspapers. After an introduction to newspapers in general, we will explore each section of the newspaper to discover the many facets of this important form of communication. The session will culminate with the students publishing their own edition of a newspaper about our Monroe community. Carla Church

Exploring Elements of Fiction: Genre: Fairy Tale
The students will study the elements of a well written fairy tale. The tales read and analyzed are by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. The tales are discussed and examined for the key elements. They read "fractured tales" where the elements have been altered, and they re-write the traditional tales! They also create their own tale that has a concise plot, developed characters, and suspense leading to the solution of the problem! Shelly McNellis

Grade 4

A Chariot Ride Into the Night Sky
The class journey begins with an adventure into the mythical world of the ancient Greeks. As we travel across the sky, we discover the gods and goddesses who ruled this historical and celebrated land. Investigate the far-reaching celestial bodies of our night sky and the secrets of these powerful and imaginative stories! Following the study, each student writes, illustrates and publishes an original myth. Christine Pesapane

Places and the People That Made Them Famous
Eleanor Roosevelt preferred to live in a modest cottage instead of her husband's grand estate. Why? Let's discover answers to fascinating questions as we explore historic places that have stories to tell. Places to be visited will include Edison's Invention Factory, Pearl Harbor and Val-Kil. Projects will include: a historical park report, persuasive writing on controversial issues, an overview of the attack on Pearl Harbor and diary entries from the perspective of people from the past. Let's travel together and develop an empathetic understanding of our great history. Karine Anderson

Hands-on Science and Amateur Radio
New Zealand, Hawaii, Canada, Argentina, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station! We've talked to all of these locations and more using Amateur Radio. We also practice radio direction finding and build working electronic circuits. This course covers the study of basic electronic technology, physics, mathematics, geography, computer science and communications skills using hands-on techniques. Winnie Hennigan

Grade 5

The Struggle for Independence
How did our democracy begin? Which forces, events and people helped to create a new form of government in this country? Explore these exciting times through the eyes of a young apprentice in Boston, Massachusetts in the book Johnny Tremain. Investigate the life of one Revolutionary figure, and present those findings to the class. Debate the issues as a Whig or a Tory, and contribute to the publication of ideas in a pamphlet. Jeannette DeConde

A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of William Shakespeare's most popular plays, provides a wonderful introduction to a study of Shakespeare and his importance in history, plus the many intricacies involved in presenting a play. The GATE students watch and discuss various interpretations of A Midsummer Night's Dream, learn about stage productions by auditioning, then representing their chosen character(s) and creating their own costumes and scenery. The students must understand the play, memorize their parts, know their cues, and work as a team in order to present a well-rehearsed version of this timeless play as the culminating effort. A Midsummer Night's Dream is then performed before a live audience at school for 4th, 5th and 6th graders and an evening performance is given for parents and other interested adults. Annemari Goldsmith

The War Between the States
At what time during American history was the country most divided? Some would argue that time was during the Civil War, when our nation had its most costly inward struggle that divided families, friends, neighbors, and our government. During this Civil War GATE unit the students will learn about the causes, problems and lifestyles immediately preceding and throughout the war. Across Five Aprils is the book selection the students will be reading which provides a rich context in which to discuss such important issues as freedom, slavery and the division of The United States. Some of the activities will include debate, personal journal writing, formal presentations and poetry, all of which will help to further the understanding of this important time in our history. Katie Osborn

Grade 6

Speechmaking
What could be more useful to our GATE students than learning how to present some of what they know and learn in an organized and interesting way? Students will learn how to prepare for different types of speeches and give their speeches to an audience. The class focuses on informational, persuasive, and impromptu speaking. Great emphasis is placed on being able to give a speech without reading it - to feel that they are in a kind of conversation with their audience. Tips on how to deal with nerves are introduced and practiced. A final project involves presenting a speech to an audience of students and parents. Peggy Ciolino

Comic Books as Literature
Mr. Wright's GATE class studies the genre of comic books. Comic books have a rich and interesting history that some feel dates back to early cave paintings. Comic books first emerged in their current configuration in the 1930s. And who would have guessed that the creators of Superman were shy and unpopular high school students. In his book Comic Book Nation, Bradford W. Wright wrote, "Some highly accomplished literary and artistic work has been done in comic books." In this class, the students will be exploring all of the elements of the genre of comic books by reading from The Amazing Spider-man Essential Volume 1. The long-term project of the class will be for each child to develop a superhero comic book of twelve pages. Jim Wright

Aviation: Up, Up, and Away
This class is designed to introduce students to the principals of aviation. From the Wright Brothers to modern day marvels, students will soar through instruction across the curriculum. Students will design and create their own modern marvel of aviation. The class will culminate with a use of new skills in a contest to see who will be Santa Barbara's latest, greatest aviators. Michele Britton

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• Science Lab: Monroe has a fully functional science lab dedicated to hands-on science learning. The three State Standard topics of Earth, Life and Physical sciences are covered in-depth with a variety of interesting and stimulating science experiments. Students from grades 2 through 6th are provided on average 2 labs per month and are engaged in learning the methods of scientific observation and data collection. Everyone loves the lab... parents, teachers and kids.
  
  Library and Computer Access: An ever-expanding library collection is open to all students during regularly scheduled classroom sessions, at recess and before and after school. The Internet is available in upper grade classrooms and in the library. Computer classes are scheduled during the regular day in the computer lab.
  
  Qualifying for the GATE Program at Monroe
  Students will be identified by the district process for GATE identification. Other high-performing students may be referred by teachers. The Monroe Site GATE committee will consider CAT-6 test scores, student performance assessments, and portfolios in determining student eligibility for the site program that includes the PBI instruction component and Spanish instruction. High performance in GATE classes is required for continued inclusion.
  
  Parent Participation, Teacher Preparation and Program Evaluation
  The home and school are partners in the education of students at Monroe. Parents' opinions and comments are always valued and considered in the evolution of GATE instruction. Many parents share their knowledge of a subject during the school day or in an after school class.
  
  Membership in the California Association for the Gifted keeps teachers apprised of new developments in the field of GATE instruction. Attendance at the annual CAG conference is rotated among the teachers. Information gained at these sessions is shared among teachers at the school so that all benefit. Teachers also enroll in classes through UCSB which will lead to GATE certification.
  
  Parents and teachers meet annually to formally and informally evaluate the GATE program. From time to time, speakers are invited to address topics of interest. A District GATE library is available for parents and teachers.