This document provides information about Swope GT Magnet School including its teachers, curriculum, programs, and activities. It introduces the six teachers of core subjects - Social Studies, Math, English/Language Arts, Science - and a 6th grade specialist. It describes the school's bell schedule, uniform policy, elective options, and academic expectations including homework and various programs. It outlines the school's gifted and talented magnet program curriculum across grade levels for core subjects. It also lists the many clubs, academic competitions, field trips, and after school support available to students. Contact information is provided for additional details.

1. Swope GT Magnet School
Committed to Excellence
Mr. Todd Bodensteiner – Social Studies
Ms. Carrie Hair – Mathematics
Mrs. Jenny Hoy – English/Language Arts
Mr. Jason King – 6th Grade Specialist
Mrs. Kim Leslie – English/Social Studies
Ms. Christina Thee - Science

2. Meet the Teachers
 Mr. Todd Bodensteiner – Social Studies
 Ms. Carrie Hair – Mathematics
 Mrs. Jenny Hoy – English/Language Arts
 Mr. Jason King – K-8 Specialist
 Mrs. Kim Leslie – English/Social Studies
 Ms. Christina Thee - Science

3. Site School Specific
 Bell Schedule: 7 periods, rotating 6 classes a day
 50 minute classes
 Uniforms – Swope polo ($10) and Khaki or black bottoms
 Being voted on during the month of May; possible changes
 Electives - Our kids get 3! Strong Music Program, Spanish, Technology, Art,
Drama, Foods, P.E. + other options
 All Swope Magnet students are required to take GT Challenges
(writing and research) as one of their electives
 Gold Star School—as designated by the State of Nevada
 Teams – Our team is part of the school
 Team assemblies
 Team t-shirts

4. Swope
Gifted and Talented Magnet
Academic Expectations
 Fast paced, highly rigorous academic expectations
 Homework—average of 90 minutes per evening
 Edmodo
 Class Websites
 Program Websites
 Weekly Email Updates
 Specific Curriculum—follows overall Magnet Objectives
 Inter-Disciplinary Project Based Learning with
presentations to authentic audiences

5. 2015-2016 School Year
GATE Magnet
Program
Academic
Curriculum!

6. The Gifted Magnet Program offers opportunities
for scholars working above grade level to be
taught at an accelerated pace using gifted
strategies that include compacting and
acceleration using the Nevada Academic Content
Standards as the floor. While meeting these
academic needs, teachers of the GATE Magnet
program are cognizant of the social and
emotional needs of the scholars in adjusting to
new challenges and provide supports for these
scholars.
Mission Statement/Goals

7. In this course scholars are encouraged to think critically like writers and
analysts as they answer the question “Why communicate?”.
English/Language Arts
6th Grade
How do writer’s communicate?
Ralph Fletcher series and introduction to writers notebooks
Scholars explore narrative, descriptive, and exemplification essays
How does society influence communication?
Book Studies – aligned with social studies
7th Grade
How do writer’s communicate?
• Scholars explore Process, Compare/Contrast and Problem-Solution Essays
How do beliefs influence communication?
• Book Studies – aligned with science and social studies
8th Grade
How do writer’s communicate?
• Scholars explore Cause & Effect, Argumentation, and Classification & Division Essays
How does resilience influence communication?
• Book Studies – aligned to social studies & science

8. In this course scholars are encouraged to think like mathematicians and statisticians
as they answer the question “Why is it important to understand the world?”.
Mathematics
GATE Institute 9th
Magnet 8th
Magnet 7th
SWAS/Magnet
6th
GT Math 6
GT Integrated Math
I
GT Algebra 1
GT Formal Geo
GT Integrated Math
III
GT Integrated Math
II
GT Integrated Math
IV
GT Integrated Math
I
GT Integrated Math
II
GT Integrated Math
IV
GT AP Calculus BC

9. In this course scholars are encouraged to think like scientists as they
answer the question “Why investigate?”.
Science
6th Grade – Earth Science
Ex: How does investigating “cycles” effect the natural world?
7th Grade – Physical Science
Ex: How does investigating “cause and effect” effect the natural world?
8th Grade – Life Science or Biology
Ex: How does investigating “form and function” effect the natural world?

10. In this course scholars are encouraged to think like historians and
sociologists as they answer the question “Why interact?”.
Social Studies
6th Grade – Ancient Civilizations
Ex: How does geography impact interactions?
7th Grade – US History – Colonization – New Nation
Ex: How does exploration impact interactions?
8th Grade – Analyzing War – Civil War – World War 2
Ex: How does conflict impact interactions?

11. Clubs!
 Our Teachers all sponsor a variety of clubs and
organizations:
 Yearbook
 School Newspaper
 Toastmasters
 Debate
 Math
 Science
 Community Garden
 Middle School Sports: basketball, volleyball, wrestling,
cross country, and track.
 7th and 8th grade only
 Compete against other middle schools in WCSD

12. Academic Competitions
 Math Counts
 Science Olympiads
 First Lego League
 National History Day
 Spelling Bee
 American Math Contest

13. Fieldtrips and More!
We believe in Hands on – Real World experience!
Past Field Trips:
 Lawrence Hall of Science/UC Berkeley
 Nevada Museum of Art
 Discovery Museum
 Wolf Pack Meats
 NV Energy
 Planetarium/KECK Museum
 Sierra Nevada Journeys
 Grossology
 Bodega Bay
 EF Tours World Travel (optional)
Costs:
 Most cost about $5
 Longer trips can be up to $60
 Sierra Nevada Journey retreat is approximately $200
 All 7th Grade students are expected to attend
 August 17-August 19

14. Extra Trips!
 Our teachers plan educational trips
abroad for students (and parents!) to go
on during our extended breaks
 Past trips include France and Costa Rica
 Plans for next year include
 Ecuador (Spring Break)
 Ireland (Summer 2016)
 Costs range from $2500-$4500+ depending on the
trip

16. After School Academic Support
 Math Center
 Tuesday and Friday after school tutoring
including transportation
 Academic Support on an as-needed basis

17. Everything You Wanted to Know About
Swope and the GT Magnet Middle
School
Please visit these websites 
GT Magnet Website: www.swopegtmagnet.weebly.com
Swope MS Website: www.washoeschools.net/swope
Teacher Websites:
Mr. Bodensteiner www.swopegtsocialstudies.weebly.com
Ms. Hair http://swopegtmath.weebly.com
Mrs. Hoy http://hoyenglish.weebly.com
Mr. King http://kingsgtscholars.weebly.com
Mrs. Leslie https://lesliegtmagnet.weebly.com
Ms. Thee http://theescience.weebly.com

18. Any Questions
Thank you! - Swope GT Crew