Open Door Program at Housel Middle School

The Prosser School District initiated the Open Door Program in order to better serve students’ individual needs. It was designed to serve those who show unusual academic, intellectual, and creative abilities. Currently the Open Door teacher at Housel Middle School is Dean Smith.

Open Door Goals

What are the goals and objectives of the Highly Capable Program?

	Learn to use the process of creative and productive thinking
	Develop skills in critical thinking
	Learn to use the process of higher level thinking
	Develop skills that will expand self-direction in independent study and research
	Develop and/or maintain a positive self-concept through awareness of individual self-worth and the value of others
	Develop interaction skills of listening and communicating
	Develop potential for responsible leadership

The Open Door Program offers students skills in the areas of higher level thinking based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, logic, creativity, and self-direction. Students are challenged in all areas of the curriculum individually and cooperatively. They are given the opportunity to enhance their organizational, leadership, and communication skills and encouraged to develop and use creativity and imagination.

Curriculum Guidelines

Curriculum for the Open Door program will be based on the following guidelines:

It will seek to help the student develop a positive self esteem through unique intellectual challenges that extend beyond the traditional classroom.

Student activities will use project based learning which fosters individual creativity ,risk taking, problem solving, and critical higher level thinking skills.

Students will work on advancing communication skills including listening, speaking, writing, and presenting.

Curriculum will involve information literacy, including modern technology, for use in problem solving activities.

Students will seek to develop social skills, leadership, and quality self assessment, both individually and as part of a group.

Middle School Emphasis

Grade 6

Curriculum units will include a study of ancient cultures and archaeology, mythology, civics, and modern technology and media.

Grade 7/8

Curriculum for the Seventh grade will be based on the Generation Why program. To learn more about this program, go to http://genwhy.wednet.edu Students will partner with teachers to develop unique technology integrated thematic units. Eighth grade students will use modern media to run a school wide cable news program. Students in both grades will also study computer hardware, networking, and various software solutions.

Curricular Goal

Each year, students in the program will have exposure to challenging technology, literature, and science/math units.

Philosophy and Rationale

Both the state of Washington and the Prosser School District believe that the purpose of education is to encourage every child to develop his/her greatest potential. Because each child is unique and has different educational needs and potentials, the school must provide opportunities for assuring learning experiences to help all children develop skills and attitudes fundamental to achieving individual satisfaction as responsible contributing citizens.

We believe that students identified as highly capable need qualitatively different educational programs based on their learning styles, advanced accomplishments, and interests. As all other students they must have educational experiences at an appropriate level for them. An adequate program must be diverse, advanced, and complex to reflect the abilities of the students in the program.

The above information on the Open Door program in Prosser School District is from the Open Door Program brochure: (permission to reproduce granted by Deannie Dunbar, PSD Curriculum Director, April 2000)