Welcome!
Welcome to the Academic Enrichment Program of Rochelle Elementary District #231. My name is Katie Queller-Zilis, also known as Mrs. Q-Z, and I have been teaching the Academic Enrichment for 12 years.
The mission of the Academic Enrichment Program is to challenge our students to reach their full potential to become life long learners and productive citizens. We will provide them with opportunities to interact with their ability peers through instruction that enhances higher level thinking skills and encourages the pursuit of excellence.
Currently the program focuses on providing extra challenges to students in the 4th and 5th grades who have high ability in the area of math. I meet with small groups of students at each elementary building for about 30 minutes each day. These sessions are in addition to the math lesson taught by the homeroom teachers. Classroom teachers and principals work closely with me throughout the year to select students who we feel would benefit from participation in the program.
At the beginning of the year both 4th and 5th grade classes will spend time learning to play chess. Playing chess has been shown to raise students' scores on tests of academic achievement. Playing chess has a positive impact, even if the player does not become an expert. We will revisit chess and other challenging games occasionally throughout the year while we focus on a variety of problem solving skills.
The Academic Enrichment Fair is a research/presentation component offered during part of the spring semester that will be available to those who show high abilities in areas. These students may or may not be drawn from the group participating in the math program. Again, classroom teachers and principals will be instrumental in selecting the students who would benefit from participation.
Please check this site throughout the year for updates on activities and assignments. I will add photos periodically.
For more information on any aspect of the program, please click the menu at the top of this page. Or, feel free to contact me. My email address is
[email protected]
The mission of the Academic Enrichment Program is to challenge our students to reach their full potential to become life long learners and productive citizens. We will provide them with opportunities to interact with their ability peers through instruction that enhances higher level thinking skills and encourages the pursuit of excellence.
Currently the program focuses on providing extra challenges to students in the 4th and 5th grades who have high ability in the area of math. I meet with small groups of students at each elementary building for about 30 minutes each day. These sessions are in addition to the math lesson taught by the homeroom teachers. Classroom teachers and principals work closely with me throughout the year to select students who we feel would benefit from participation in the program.
At the beginning of the year both 4th and 5th grade classes will spend time learning to play chess. Playing chess has been shown to raise students' scores on tests of academic achievement. Playing chess has a positive impact, even if the player does not become an expert. We will revisit chess and other challenging games occasionally throughout the year while we focus on a variety of problem solving skills.
The Academic Enrichment Fair is a research/presentation component offered during part of the spring semester that will be available to those who show high abilities in areas. These students may or may not be drawn from the group participating in the math program. Again, classroom teachers and principals will be instrumental in selecting the students who would benefit from participation.
Please check this site throughout the year for updates on activities and assignments. I will add photos periodically.
For more information on any aspect of the program, please click the menu at the top of this page. Or, feel free to contact me. My email address is
[email protected]
