 Jacqueline Firster Resource Teacher for the Gifted Abingdon Elementary School

Question Cards  Do you have a specific question?  Please write your question(s)  Your name  Your child’s name  Your contact information  The best time for me to contact you

Why Gifted Services Identification?  Teacher awareness of student’s abilities and understanding of student’s instructional needs  Opportunities to work with other students who have the ability to reason and problem solve at a high level  RTG availability to support student’s performance and educational program

Professional Responsibilities  Promote differentiation strategies in the classroom  Provide extensions and supplemental resources for teachers  Model instructional strategies  Inform staff about gifted education training opportunities  Facilitate the identification process

Professional Learning Communities Four Key Questions Focus Us on Learning #1 What is it we expect our students to learn? #2 How will we know when they have learned it? #3 How will we provide time and support when they don’t learn it? #4 How will we expand learning when they already know it or learn it quickly?

Classroom Support  Plan with and support the classroom teachers with extension activities and projects  identified students  students who show evidence of mastering grade level content  Push-in/Pull-out Literature/Reading/Writing support for differentiated, small group instruction  Push-in/Pull-out Mathematics support for differentiated, small group instruction  Co-Teaching with classroom teachers and specialists

Classroom Support  Provide Flipped Instruction lessons as needed  Model critical and creative thinking strategies in classes on a rotating basis  Provide resources and differentiation support to non- classroom teachers/specialists  May look different in the various grade levels depending on teacher and student needs

Curriculum Examples  Gifted Services Literature Units  William and Mary Literature Units and Materials  Univ. of Connecticut Project M2 and Project M3  Best of the Continental Math League/Math Exemplars  Hands-On Equations  Project Clarion Science Units  Teaching With Primary Sources (Library of Congress)

Critical Thinking Skills Big Ideas Overarching Concepts: Change, Patterns, Systems, Perspectives, Cause/Effect, Cycles Taba Concept Development Critical Thinking Teaching Models Frayer Model, Future Problem Solving, Hamburger Model of Persuasive Writing, Jacob’s Ladder, Literature Web, Paul’s Elements of Reasoning, Research Model, Vocabulary Web Creative Thinking SCAMPER, FFOE (Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, Elaboration), Creative Problem Solving Decisions and Outcomes PMI, Ethical Thinking (6-12), Habits of Mind, Problem Based Learning, Project Based Learning Making Connections Mind-Mapping, Visualization, Analogies, Synectics Point of View (Different Perspectives) deBono’s Hats, Debates, RAFT, Socratic Seminar, Junior Great Books, Structured Academic Controversy Questioning Bloom’s Taxonomy, Levels of Questioning

Differentiated Student Progress Form  Reporting at the second and fourth quarters to parents for identified students in grades K-5  Documents differentiated instructional strategies and extensions  Completed by classroom teacher in collaboration with the RTG  Replaces the Differentiation Instruction Planning Form

APS Identification Process  Specific Academic Attitude, K-12  Language Arts  Math  Social Studies  Science  Visual and Performing Arts, 3-12  Fine Arts  Vocal/Instrumental Music (instruments taught in APS)

Screening for Identification  Each year, the total population is screened by school staff to create a pool of candidates based on students’ need for gifted services  Screening is formal – review of testing information  Screening is informal –teacher feedback, parent information, honors, awards, student participation in school events, competitions, etc.

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 1 st for the current school year. Referral forms can be found here:

Eligibility Criteria for Specific Academic Area  Nationally Normed Testing Information  Ability and Achievement Testing  Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors  School-based Data  Parent Information  Work Samples

Eligibility Criteria for Visual or Vocal/Instrumental Music Area  Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors  Grades  Parent Information  Student Products

Appeals Process  An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process:  Appeals begin at the school level with the principal  A second level of appeal is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the school level committee decision)

Role of Parent Supporting Differentiation for Student  Support your child’s interest to pursue social and cultural opportunities within and beyond his/her strength area(s)  Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teachers, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress  APS’s Gifted Services Parent Advocacy Committee If interested in serving on this monthly committee, please contact Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services) at

Parent Resources  Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG)  – NAGC National Conference – Baltimore, MD – NAGC Parent Day – Saturday, November 15  National Association for the Gifted (NAGC)   Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) 

Sign up Twitter APS Gifted Services Website Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor, Gifted Services Abingdon Gifted Services Website: Get Connected with APS Gifted Services..

Questions?  Do you have a specific question?  Please write your question(s)  Your name  Your child’s name  Your contact information  The best time for me to contact you

Contact Information Jacqueline Firster, Resource Teacher for the Gifted Phone: Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor of Gifted Services Phone: