SEM History at Laurel Mountain

The Schoolwide Enrichment model was developed by Dr. Joseph S. Renzulli at the University of Connecticut. School districts in 21 states and Canada have implemented SEM, and Laurel Mountain began its implementation several years ago. The overriding goal of SEM is to provide an enriching education to all students.

Fall 2009/Spring 2010:

• In grades K-5, students participated in an Enrichment Clusters for 6-8 weeks. There were a total of 44 different enrichment cluster offered in a variety of topics this school year.
• Teachers and student utilized the Renzulli Learning System (RLS) within the classroom by creating projects and assignments completed by students. This school year, there were over 230 different assignments created by teachers for students on RLS. Teachers shared over 740 favorite sites with students using RLS. Students have created almost 90 self-created projects and have visited over 50,500 different sites and logged on a total of 17,916 days this school year!
• Independent Investigative Method (IIM) of research continued to be used in all grade levels K-5. There were IIM project that related to the regular classroom curriculum. For example, in kindergarten classes the students did an IIM project on butterflies. In first grade, the students focused on winter animals. In second grade, the students did IIM projects on famous people in history. There were also numerous IIM projects that were students chose their own topics of research. These happened in several grade levels, including third, fourth and fifth grades.
• Built and utilized each child's Total Talent Portfolio (TTP) and communicate contents with parents. The TTP were shared with parents during conferences.
• This year we had over 90 parent and/or community members assist with enrichment, enrichment clusters or Enrichment slots (E-slots) taking place in the classroom.
• We offered eight enrichment cluster tours to about 50 parents this year. These tours allow our parents to witness enrichment clusters in action.
• We continued to make Service Learning a focus within our enrichment clusters and E-slot activities.
• Mrs. Levitan, our Enrichment Coordinator, continued to collaborate with teachers in a variety of areas, such as using the Renzulli Learning System, IIM, service learning, enrichment clusters, enrichment slot activities, Philanthropy Mentoring Program, compacting math enrichment, PETS lessons and many others. This allows LME to reach all of our diverse learners.

Fall 2008/Spring 2009:

• In grades 2-5, students will participated in an Enrichment Cluster Fair to highlight products and services created during the 8 weeks of clusters.
• Continued with the Enrichment Showcase at the end of the school year to allow students to share work and accomplishments from E-slot activities and Lightbulb projects.
• Utilized the Renzulli Learning System more within the classroom by creating projects and assignments to be completed by students.
• All teachers were trained in the Independent Investigative Method (IIM) method of research. IIM was used with the regular curriculum and with Lightbulb projects taking place in the classroom.
• Continued to build and utilize each child's Total Talent Portfolio (TTP).
• Increased our parent and community involvement with enrichment clusters and E-slot.
• Made Service Learning a focus within our clusters, E-slot activities and in the classroom.
• Enrichment Coordinator will collaborate with teachers in content areas to reach all of our diverse learners.
• We will expand on all of the successes of last year.

Fall 2007/Spring 2008:

• Executed 49 different Enrichment Clusters and 24 enrichment coordinator-planned E-slot electives.
• Clusters lasted eight weeks for grades 2-5. Kindergarten and first grade clusters lasted for six weeks, but involved Type 1(exploratory/introductory) activities.
• E-slot time every Friday afternoon from 1:30-2:30 p.m. All students participated in various enrichment activities at this time.
• Every student grades K-5 completed the Learning Profile on Renzulli Learning Systems, which is included in each child's Total Talent Portfolio (TTP).
• Teachers and students utilized the Renzulli Learning System in the classroom and during the E-slot.
• Every student grades K-5 completed an Interest Survey, which is included in each child's TPP.
• Continued with the Enrichment Learning and Teaching that takes place in our classrooms everyday.
• Continued with Divergent Thinking Skills training in grades kindergarten through second.
• Increased the number of Lightbulb projects (independent research projects).
• Increased Service Learning and Project Based Learning that took place in the classroom and during the E-slot.
• Parents supported SEM by meeting our fund-raising goal with the Excellence Fund Campaign. Beyond these generous donations, 24 different parents gave their time, talent or resources to support enrichment clusters or e-slot activities this school year.
• Provided real-life experiences during enrichment clusters and E-slot by bringing about 35 different community members and/or businesses to talk to groups of students.
• Enrichment Showcase took place in April 2008 that allowed students to share their hard work and accomplishments from enrichment clusters, E-slot activities and Lightbulb projects.

Summer 2007:

• Eight teachers and one administrator received SEM training at the University of Connecticut.
• This team planned and executed teacher staff development in August 2007.
• Nicole Levitan was hired as our full-time Enrichment Coordinator.

Fall 2006/Spring 2007:

• Hired Kathy Aylor as our Enrichment Coordinator (part-time)
• Each student at LME participated in one Enrichment Cluster; this number may increase as the program becomes more established. These clusters ran for 6 weeks in the spring, with the children meeting on average one hour per week during the school day. Forty-six different clusters were conducted between November and March.
• Purchased site-license for Renzulli Learning System, which is an on-line tool to help students learn about their learning styles, interests, and product preferences.
• The number of Light Bulb projects (independent research projects) available to students was increased.

Summer/Fall 2006:

• The Enrichment Team (4 teachers) received SEM training at the University of Connecticut.
• Each student created a Total Talent Portfolio.
• The Parent/Teacher SEM Resource Team doubled the current number of Mentors/Classroom Enrichment Experts at LME in 2006/2007.