The Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) provides the framework for building a school for talent development. It encompasses three basic tenets, which can be designed to meet the needs of each individual campus:

  1. Completion of a Total Talent Portfolio for Each Child - A Total Talent Portfolio is an extensive inventory that highlights areas of academic strengths, talents and interests for each student.
  2. Curriculum Enhancement/Modification to Facilitate Enrichment - This process evaluates the curriculum to ensure it is taught efficiently and without redundancy while continuing to incorporate the elements required by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
  3. Participation in Enrichment Clusters - Enrichment Clusters provides opportunities for students to use their personal interests to explore real world applications of the knowledge they are learning in school.

Over the past several years, seventeen Laurel Mountain Elementary (LME) teachers and staff received training in the SEM. Since then, LME has been adapting the model to meet the needs of our diverse and multi-talented students. Through these efforts, students participate in enrichment activities such as Lightbulb projects, Robo Lab, curriculum compacting, and reading/math enrichment. However, these programs only touch small groups of students; the goal of SEM is to bring talent development to each student at LME. Therefore, over the 2006-2007 school year we incorporated Enrichment Clusters into our regular school day.

History of SEM at Laurel Mountain Elementary

Goals for Fall 2008/Spring 2009:

  • In grades 2-5, students will participate in an Enrichment Cluster Fair to highlight products and services created during the 8 weeks of clusters.
  • Continue 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.
  • Utilize the Renzulli Learning System more within the classroom by creating projects and assignments to be completed by students.
  • All teachers will be trained in the Independent Investigative Method (IIM) method of research. IIM will be used with the regular curriculum and with Lightbulb projects taking place in the classroom.
  • Continue to build and utilize each child's Total Talent Portfolio (TTP).
  • Increase our parent and community involvement with enrichment clusters and E-slot.
  • Make 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.

Please join us in this exciting opportunity for your children!