• Gifted and Talented Enrichment at St. Anthony Park Elementary School

    All of us here at St. Anthony Park (SAP) believe that every student deserves to be challenged at his/her ability level. To accomplish this goal, SAP classroom and specialist teachers offer challenging learning opportunities to all students. SAP offers these enrichment opportunities in a variety of ways.

    Enrichment in core academic subjects (reading, writing and math) happens frequently and is a part of the everyday school routine. For example, third graders who are reading at a 5th grade level are provided with books to read and discuss at their level in a small guided reading group with other advanced readers.

    Enrichment in other subjects includes more options for kids to develop their artistic, scientific, athletic, and leadership talents. Some enrichment classes/activities are open only to qualified students (such as a challenge math group for gifted math students), while others involve all students (such as the Artist–in-Residence program). After-school enrichment activities (such as Chess and Destination Imagination) are voluntary for students who demonstrate an interest.

    Important Note:

    The department for Talent Development and Acceleration Services (TDAS) within the Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) coordinates the testing of all kindergarten and 2nd grade students in the district using the CogAT7 (Cognitive Achievement Test, Version 7). This test determines whether students are identified for gifted and talented services within SPPS. If your child has been identified for gifted and talented services, his/her homeroom teacher can answer specific questions you may have about how he/she is being challenged at school. If your child is not in kindergarten or 2nd grade and you would like him/her to take the CogAT7, talk to your child’s teacher in early fall to learn about the nomination process.

    Enrichment in Core Academic Subjects

    To provide challenge in core academic subjects, St. Anthony Park teachers use:

    • Pre-assessment and interest inventories to create flexible groups.
    • Small groups with focused instruction, activities and assignments to reach different levels of need (special emphasis on use of higher order thinking skills).
    • Challenge packets, learning centers and independent projects (including use of technology) to challenge advanced, motivated learners

    Enrichment in Other Subjects

    • Weekly art classes in the art lab with artist Courtney Oleen
    • Artist-in-Residence program (visiting artists work with students at each grade level)
    • Celebration of Talent (annual celebration of visual arts)
    • Talent Show (annual celebration of performing arts)
    • Art Adventure Program (volunteers are trained at Minneapolis Institute of Arts; volunteers then teach students about selected pieces; finally, students go see actual pieces at MIA)
    • “St. Anthony Park Reads” (school-wide literature appreciation program; sometimes involves a visit by an author)
    • Concerts by our school bands, orchestra, grade-level choirs, and by visiting musicians
    • BOKS (once a week, before school workout program)
    • Running Club (springtime, after-school running program)
    • Track and Field Day (annual friendly competition)
    • Cross grade-level mentoring (students from different grades teach and learn from each other)
    • Community service projects (student-led, food collection for a local food shelf, raking for local seniors, Jump Rope for Heart, …)
    • On-site Community Education Classes
    • Extended Day Learning Enrichment
    • Parent-led after-school opportunities
    • Destination Imagination

     

    Additional Enrichment by Grade Level

    Kindergarten

    Active Inquiry Specialist Class

    Fire Department Visit

    Officer Friendly visit

    Catalyst Tools for Thinking

    Make a Memory Day

    100th Day Celebration

    Children’s Museum field trip

    Como Park Planetarium field trip

     

    1st Grade

    Family Science Night

    Active Inquiry Specialist Class

    Officer Friendly Visit

    St. Paul Fire Fighter Visit

    Children’s Museum field trip

    Como Park Planetarium field trip

    Saint Paul Public Library field trips

     

    2nd Grade

    Family Science Night

    Family-School Reading Celebrations

    Officer Friendly

    Volunteer facilitated book groups

    St. Paul Saints field trip

    Saint Paul Public Library field trips

    Minneapolis Institute of Arts field trip

    Ordway Theater field trips

    Bell Museum field trip

     

    3rd Grade

    Family Science Night

    Science Project and Fair, optional

    Energy and U Program

    Seasonal Celebrations

    Destination Imagination

    Children’s Theatre field trip

    Minnesota Zoo field trip

    Mill City Museum field trip

    Belwin Nature Center field trip

    Science Project and Fair

     

    4th Grade

    Science Project and Fair

    Orchestra and Band

    Destination Imagination

    Lego League

    Grade-Level Musical

    Fort Snelling tour

    State Capitol and History Center tours

    Journey to the Falls Adventure

    Belwin Nature Center field trip

     

    5th Grade

    Science Project and Fair

    Major research projects

    Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, 5 days

    Orchestra and Band

    President’s Physical Fitness Challenge

    Destination Imagination

    Como Park Planetarium field trips

    Belwin Nature Center field trip

    Young Authors’ Conference