Middle School Talent Development Program

Sedgefield Middle School DEP Meeting October 13, 2014

Who is Gifted? Gifted and talented children are those identified by professional qualified persons who, by outstanding abilities, are capable of high performance. Theses are children who require differentiated educational programs and/or beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their contribution to self and society.

Characteristics of Gifted A Gifted Child: Questions Critically Memorizes easily Transfers learning to new situations Learns rapidly and easily Does some academic work two years in advance Solves problems and processes ideas Uses large words easily and accurately Visualize mentally Often asked by peers for ideas Understands reasons for change Is a good listener May have long attention span

DEPs – Differentiated Education Plan The Differentiated Education Plan (DEP) is the document which outlines the program service options (s) appropriate for a student at specific grade configurations, and lists the learning environment, content modifications and special programs available to the student during those grade configurations. A DEP should be completed for each student during each of the four educational phases (K-3,3- 5,6-8, 9-12).

Mission To provide appropriate intellectual opportunities that help gifted students realize their potential and connect them with their complex world.

Goal To support the development of a content-rich educational process throughout CMS which provides opportunities and resources for learners to……

Attain levels of academic achievement consistent with their abilities Engage in abstract, creative, and affective reasoning Apply insightful questioning Develop a capacity to see interconnections among disciplines Practice self-directed learning and independent problem solving Strive for self actualization

The Academic Facilitator’s Role To design differentiated curriculum and supportive learning activities for use by classroom teachers To model/demonstrate best practices in gifted education To lead on-site professional development activities in gifted education and other instructional areas To assist teachers in planning instruction that will meet the needs of the gifted learner

Honor Courses For students who need to be advanced in their learning, which will require curriculum beyond grade level Honor courses are offered in Language Arts and Mathematics Science and Social Studies are differentiated within the classroom

What is differentiation? “A differentiated learning experience occurs when educators modify the regular curriculum setting and select instructional practices that reflect students’ readiness for learning. This ‘readiness’ includes ability levels, achievement levels, interests, and learning preferences.” ~ Mary Landrum~ Educational Consultant

Without differentiation everyone… Moves at the same pace Completes the same assignments Is evaluated the same way

Collaborators Classroom Teacher Academic Facilitator Content Specialists Administrators Other members of the school’s teaching staff who contribute to the academic progress of gifted learners

What is the Curriculum? The North Carolina Standard Course of Study and more….

Desired Outcomes Curriculum studied in greater depth through more challenging lessons and differentiated activities Curriculum accelerated to include above- grade level material when appropriate Advanced pace of learning

What do gifted services look like? Math Language Arts Science Social Studies

Mathematics The following standards are repeated each year in grades 6-8. However, the level of difficulty and application increase each year. This is based on the Common Core. Number and Operation Measurement Geometry Data Analysis an Probability Algebra

Placement Students are placed in the course for which they are prepared based on: Their EOG Math Scores Grades Academic Performance

Overall Goal To prepare students for higher level math courses at the high school level such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.

Social Studies Rationale for Differentiation at the Middle Grades: There are 7 AP social studies courses in high school. Each requires students to read, write, analyze information, and access prior knowledge. There is increasing enrollment in AP courses. AP U.S. History is often the first AP course a student tries. Success in this course can spark future success.

Objectives of the Differentiated Social Studies Design Pre-AP Skill Building Improve reading and writing skills Enhance higher order thinking skills Promote analytical thinking skills Expose students to rich, rigorous, and relevant primary source documents and other resources Build confidence within the student

What might you see in a Social Studies classroom?  Brain-based learning activities designed for the 90 minute block –including movement  Cooperative learning – various styles  Shared inquiry/Socratic seminars  Graphic organizers  Role-play and panel discussions  Debating the issues  Video clips with viewing guides and discussions

Available Resources  History Alive! kits for all schools for grade 8  Ancillary textbooks  Model lessons for N.C. topics  Visual discovery  Interactive notebooks  Skill builders  Small group discussions  Experiential exercises

Science Focus On: Differentiation and Inquiry Critical Thinking for the Gifted

Overall Goal To design your own inquiry lab based on a scientific question

What’s to come? CMS is building programs in : Science Olympiad (grades 6-8) Future City (grades 7-8)

Language Arts Concept Driven

What might you see in a Language Arts classroom? Higher Level Thinking Skills Problem Based Learning Open Ended Questioning Novel Studies

Language Arts Classes… Mini-Projects Authentic Tasks Application of knowledge in new settings

You might also see… Cooperative Learning Investigations Inquiry Seminar discussion Visual representations of ideas Interdisciplinary work Evaluation

Overall Goal To build higher level literacy strategies that will build success in all subject areas.

Ultimate Goal Increased participation in high school Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate course work.

Everyone works collaboratively to meet the needs of gifted learners. Classroom Teachers Content Specialists Academic Facilitator Middle School Program

Testing End of Grade Testing in Reading and Math for grades 3- 8! EOC testing in Science (8 th ) and Algebra (8 th ). MAP (reading/Math test) three times a year. This test measures grade level ability. Sedgefield’s common interim assessments (CIAs) in reading, math, social studies, science 3 times a year to measure growth in objectives. Sedgefield’s Mini Assessments given on a bi-weekly basis to measure classroom knowledge.

Hints/Ideas for Parents Teach self- discipline and independence by assigning responsibilities and insisting they are completed. Have a great deal of material available to your child, by not necessarily “store bought” material. Let your child enjoy and experience art and music. Share an interest in reading to help him/her appreciate and enjoy a variety of books. Try to improve your child’s sense of taste in mass media, TV, Radio, comics, etc. Take time to be with your child, to listen to what he/she has to say, to discuss ideas with them. Support the school efforts in curriculum. Encourage children to record their ideas in binders, notebooks, or journals. Avoid pushing your child too hard by being too demanding about after school lessons or activities. Encourage setting long term goals!

Gifted Books/Materials/Resources Suggested Reading: “My Child is Gifted! Now What?” By Rick Olenchak “Growing Up Gifted” by Barbara Clark “Somewhere to Turn: Strategies for Parents of the Gifted and Talented” by Eleanor Hall and Nancy Skinner. Programs: Duke Gifted Letter- A publication of Duke’s Talent and Identification Program. National Association for Gifted Children- Includes a choice of The gifted Child Quarterly or Parenting for High Potential. North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented.

Contact Information Ms. Catherine Eldridge- Academic Facilitator Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm Days- Monday- Friday