At Hillside, we implement a school-based, collaborative model for delivering gifted services for 4th and 5th grade gifted learners known as FUSION (formerly known as FUTURA). This model was established to provide gifted services for students at their home schools. A gifted resource teacher collaborates with classroom teachers to challenge gifted learners in their regular classrooms by enriching and extending the general curriculum and by integrating curricula developed for gifted learners (e.g., William & Mary Literature Units, Jacob's Ladder, and Mentoring Mathematical Minds). In addition, gifted learners meet during the week with other gifted learners to collaborate on a variety of challenging, interdisciplinary projects.The FUSION program seeks to enhance and to develop the intellect of 4th and 5th grade students who have been formally identified in need of gifted services. FUSION students are immersed in project-based learning designed to integrate the five C's of 21st century learning: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Contribution to Real-World Problem-Solving.
FUSION offers a stimulating environment focused on higher-level thinking skills and hands-on activities that foster:
- Problem Solving Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Creative Thinking
- Evaluative Thinking
- Design Thinking
- Concept-Based Learning
