Middle School GRCWorking to challenge

and create

What does GIFTED look like in middle school?

Challenging textsMetacognition (thinking about their

thinking)Focus on social/emotional needsGreater depth and complexityFlexibilityAdvanced reading strategiesLess drillMore critical and creative thinking skillsCertified Gifted Specialist with training to

meet the needs of Gifted Students

What goes on in class?Guided readingCreative writing and problem solvingArgumentative and analytical writingResearch-based interdisciplinary

projectsRich discussionsInteractive lessonsHands-on learning

Higher Order Thinking SkillsGifted Literature Classes ask students to go beyond the “regurgitation” of facts. Students learn to explain their thinking to analyze and evaluate.

Higher Order ThinkingWe go far beyond mere reading

comprehension.Students analyze, synthesize, and evaluate. Students will do at least one research

project.The research project will give students the

opportunity to investigate a topic of their choice.

Many units are interdisciplinary and allow students to dig deeper and make new connections.

Benefits:Ability to attend classes with

their intellectual peersAbility to develop an awareness

and appreciation for their giftsTeachers who enrich or extend

learningTeachers who recognize and

address their unique abilities and social-emotional needs

College and Career Readiness Standards

Like all seventh graders, gifted students are taught according to the state-adopted curriculum, which sets the goals and objectives for students to master.

A good teacher is like a coach…Always asking the student to• Stretch,• Try something new and different,• Try to do it better,• Faster, • More accurately,• In greater detail,• More creatively,• And to add polish.

Working outside their comfort zones…May be harder for the gifted than for

othersIs often a little uncomfortableIs sometimes a little frustratingIs sometimes very uncertain

That’s the purpose of having GRC classes.

Coming attractions for the year…• Internet-based research projects• Student multimedia presentations• Literature Circles• Socratic Circles• Literary analysis with an emphasis on citing textual evidence• Challenging reading material (both fiction & nonfiction)• Creative, hands-on learning• Collaboration with groups• Creative problem-solving• Dramatization of scenes from plays or from reading• Move through grammar skills at a faster pace• Focus on applying grammar through reading & writing• SAT college entrance exam vocabulary study

What you can do to help…Let us know about concerns that you

would like us to address, especially social/emotional needs. Share your expertise regarding your child.

Consider keeping track of homework assignments via your student’s agenda and the class blog. Encourage your child to visit our classrooms for individual help in the mornings before school or during the 8th period advisory period.

Reading is a MUST!“No matter how busy you may think you are,

you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”

– Confucius

“We read to know we are not alone.”– C.S. Lewis

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read.”

– Mark Twain

Gifted Education PlanConcepts – big ideas, topics

Essential Understandings – important things to know

Guiding Questions – what we ask to get us to what we know

Concept Based LearningContent fits within the context of a

bigger idea or concept. Students will learn to generalize what they learn to other settings or content areas. Learning occurs as students construct knowledge using guiding questions and as they apply knowledge to other areas of study through essential understandings.

CONCEPT for 7th Grade GRC

DECISIONS AND CONSEQUENCES

Shape Identityand

Create Perseverance

Essential Questions…How do life’s consequences influence the development of a person’s identity?

How is a person’s identity shaped by culture and circumstances?

How does identity determine the quality of a person’s character?

Who should be our role models?

Essential Understandings…Knowing and accepting our identity helps us have self-respect.

Our decisions reflect our identity and our character.

Identity can change over time.

Showing respect can have a ripple effect.

2nd semester Essential QuestionsHow do habits of perseverance affect our decisions?

How does perseverance demonstrate commitment and a positive attitude?

What struggles do we face when we attempt to persevere?

What are the rewards of perseverance?

2nd Semester Essential Understandings…Essential Understandings: Personal rewards come by persevering through adversity and hardship.

Making decisions requires living with the consequences.

Perseverance means making sacrifices.

FAQ•How is my child assessed? Formal assessment consists primarily of class work grades, homework grades, quizzes, projects, unit tests, and benchmark exams. Students may use their notes for our Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) quizzes and Power Word quizzes.

•How can I contact you? Email us at mlaseter@shelbyed.k12.al.us or at dcline@shelbyed.k12.al.us.

•What if English is not my child’s greatest “gift”? This class is not simply an advanced or honors English class, and while the class might be somewhat challenging, we want to use English Language Arts as a point of departure for the higher order thinking skills that are useful in all subject areas. It is also a setting for nurturing the gifted students social/emotional needs.

Thank you for coming!

Please sign the GEP in the lower left corner and date your signature.

Put your child’s FULL LEGAL NAME

Keep one copy of the GEP for your records.