Arlington Public Schools
Gifted Services
Evelyn Paulson
Resource Teacher for the Gifted
Williamsburg Middle School
2014 - 2015
“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!: Yellow Back Book
GT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT OVERVIEW
By the end of tonight, you will…
1.Know how teachers and the RTG collaborate to deliver differentiated services
2. Understand how the roles of the RTG, Classroom Teacher, and Administrator work together to support differentiation for gifted students.
3. Understand the GT identification process
RTG Roles Helps your child feel comfortable and accepted Acts as an advocate Helps fosters positive peer relations Serves as a contact between home and school – with the
office, counselor, and other teachers Participates in Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences as
needed and requested Collaborates with teachers to develop differentiated
lessons Researches resources for advanced academic lessons Co-teaches with teachers at their request Runs after school classes for teachers on differentiation Identifies students for GT services Attends and supports grade level teams and professional
learning community teams
DEFINITION
RTG and Classroom Teacherwork together
to design and implement appropriate instruction
for identified gifted students.
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
INSTRUCTIONCompacting, Independent study, Special interest projects,
Flexible grouping
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMEN
TTiered lessons,
anchor activities, classroom
configuration
PLANNING AND PREPARATIONPLCs, Team Meetings
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIESProfessional development
opportunities
Math CountsNational Geo. Bee
Science FairHigher Level
Thinking
Virginia JuniorAcademy of Science
Student Growth
A Behind the Scenes Peek into My RTG Day Engages in “getting to know each other” activities for the grade six Bobcat team Responds to several parental email requests for information Responds to several teacher emails requesting support/information on differentiation for advanced students in
Science Sends out invitation to students for Monday’s grade 7 GT lunch bunch
Teaching Co-teaches Multiple Intelligences lessons in grade six reading class
Build cohesiveness & comfort levels to help with adjustment to middle school
Leads first of Grade 7 GT Lunch for students in library Responds to several grade six student questions regarding GT this year
Teacher Planning Meets with grade six teacher to plan lunch time writing club for grade six Meets with Math Coach to discuss grade 7 math support Works with gr. 8 English teacher Meets with gr. 6 Science teacher to brainstorm teaching strategies
Daily Theme: Monday: Get organized for the day—lockers, binders, TA folder Tuesday: D.E.A.R. Day Wednesday: CNN Student News Thursday: Team Building Activities and Discussion Friday: Game Day
Watch morning announcements, say Pledge of Allegiance, observe minute of silence
Participate in community service projects & character education activities
Students can meet with their counselor
Sneak Peak into GT Students’ Day Offered higher level reading text in Grade 7 History Participated in optional lunch time Socratic Seminar in grade 8 World Geography Grade 6 student enrolled in grade 7 math class Signed up for Science Fair in grade 7 & 8 Invited to be lead attorney in Animal Farm court case for grade 8 English class Gifted music student is invited to join WMS Chamber Winds Tested out of grade six Energy Unit, offered extension project on Greenhouse
Gases Offered higher level work in grade 6 History: optional table where activities
require creative solutions Grade 7 Science, encouraged to research DNA project US History: More primary resources used in addition to text for advance
learners Grade 7 English Challenge Activities (e.g. writing from different points of view) Invited to participate in Grade 8 English Folger Shakespeare Festival Grade 7 Math: students encouraged to work ahead as meets their interest/skills
Middle School Gifted Services Activities Creative/Critical Thinking Skills
Mindmapping DeBono’s Thinking Hats Dr. Howard Gardner’s
Multiple Intelligences Carol Dwerk’s Mindset and
Motivation (Persistence Despite Failure)
Robert Sternberg’s Learning Preferences (Analyze/Create/Apply)
Dr. Kagan’s Cooperative Learning
Socratic Seminars
Additional Support Activities Science Fair(Ms. Lawrence) Model UN Debate Team (Ms. Carlson) Grade 6 Creative Writing Club (Ms. Myers) Shakespeare(Gr.7 & 8 English Teachers) GT Lunch Bunches(Evelyn Paulson) (#1 Intro, # 2MI, #3 Mind Set, #4TED Talks)
APS is in compliance with Virginia Regulations:
Identify students who require gifted services
Establish continuous educational services to match the needs of gifted learners
Train teachers in ways to provide services
Support differentiated instruction to meet the needs of gifted students
Gifted Services Eligibility and Identification Process
Virginia regulations require that school divisions develop a process for determining whether students are eligible for gifted services
An identification process determines a student’s eligibility
Areas of Gifted Services Identification
Specific Academic Aptitude, K-12
English Mathematics Science Social Studies
Visual or Performing Arts, Grades 3-12
Visual Art Vocal Music Instrumental Music
(instruments taught in APS)
Screening for Gifted Services Each year, the total
population is screened by school staff to create a pool of eligible candidates based on students’ participation and performance in various academic and arts activities.
Screening is formal – review of test scores following standardized testing.
Screening is informal – competitions, awards, honors, student participation in school events.
Referrals for Gifted Services
Students may be referred for services by their classroom teacher, school personnel, parents/guardians, community leaders, and self or other students until April 1st for the current school year.
An Appeals Process is available to families following the eligibility process. Appeals begin at the school level with the principal. Second level of appeals is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee.
Eligibility Criteria - Gifted Services in Specific Academic Areas
Standardized Testing Information
Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors
Grades/Academic Performance
Student Products
Parent Information
Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment
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Eligibility Criteria - Visual Art or Vocal/Instrumental Music Areas, Grades 3 - 12
Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors
Student Products
Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment
Grades/Artistic Performance
Parent Information
Gifted Services Identification leads to:
Teacher awareness Cluster grouping Opportunities
Arts Programs Summer Programs Academic Programs
Classroom Teacher’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted Collaborate with
the RTG
Plan differentiated units and lessons
Coordinate instructional needs of all learners in the classroom
RTG’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted
Support the Classroom Teacher: collaboratively plans provides student enrichment models and trains teachers in
instructional strategies informs teachers about gifted
education training opportunities
coordinates the identification process
Principal’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted
Supports collaboration of classroom teachers and RTG
Provides opportunities for staff development and training in differentiation for advanced learners
Evaluates staff on evidence of effective differentiation
Role of Parent Educate yourself about your child’s needs:
Parent Resource Center Materials - 703-228-7239 www.nagc.org or www.vagifted.org or
www.sengifted.org
Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teacher, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress
Further InformationAPS Gifted Services
Visit the Arlington Public Schools Web Site www.apsva.us Click on Curriculum and Instruction Click on Programs Click on Gifted Services
www.apsva.us/giftedservices
Questions and Exit Cards General questions that relate to
Gifted Services.
Exit Cards: On each table, you will find index cards that can be used if you have a specific question about your child.
Please write the question, your name/your student’s name, your phone number, and the best time for me to contact you.
I will call you in order to address your specific questions.