1. Essentials for Quality Gifted Education Making Middle Grades Work

2. Foundations of MMGW Core academics aligned to essential state and national standards that prepare middle graders for challenging high school course work Core academics aligned to essential state and national standards that prepare middle graders for challenging high school course work Student assignments, student work, and classroom assessments to proficiency level standards as defined by NAEP Student assignments, student work, and classroom assessments to proficiency level standards as defined by NAEP

3. 8 th Grade Proficiency – English/Language Arts Write a major research paper (with footnotes and bibliography) on a subject they choose once a semester or once a year Write a major research paper (with footnotes and bibliography) on a subject they choose once a semester or once a year Complete a short writing assignments of one to three pages for a grade monthly or weekly Complete a short writing assignments of one to three pages for a grade monthly or weekly

4. 8 th Grade Proficiency – English/Language Arts Make an oral presentation each month or each semester Make an oral presentation each month or each semester Read 11 or more books this year both in and out of school Read 11 or more books this year both in and out of school

5. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Mathematics Develop and analyze tables, charts, and graphs in schoolwork often Develop and analyze tables, charts, and graphs in schoolwork often Use a scientific calculator to solve problems weekly Use a scientific calculator to solve problems weekly Work with one or more students in class on a challenging mathematics assignment monthly or weekly Work with one or more students in class on a challenging mathematics assignment monthly or weekly

6. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Mathematics Explain to the class – both orally and in writing – the process used to solve a mathematics problem monthly or weekly Explain to the class – both orally and in writing – the process used to solve a mathematics problem monthly or weekly Explain different ways to solve mathematics problems monthly or weekly Explain different ways to solve mathematics problems monthly or weekly Use math skills to solve problems in other classes monthly or weekly Use math skills to solve problems in other classes monthly or weekly

7. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Science Complete science projects that take a week or more Complete science projects that take a week or more Complete written lab reports once a semester or monthly Complete written lab reports once a semester or monthly Use equipment to do activities in science labs with tables and sinks once a semester or monthly Use equipment to do activities in science labs with tables and sinks once a semester or monthly

8. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Science Use word-processing software to complete an assignment or project often Use word-processing software to complete an assignment or project often Complete short writing assignments of one to three pages for a grade once a semester Complete short writing assignments of one to three pages for a grade once a semester

9. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Science Use a laptop computer, a lab books or notebooks to keep records, logs and comments Use a laptop computer, a lab books or notebooks to keep records, logs and comments Write long answers to questions on tests in science monthly Write long answers to questions on tests in science monthly

10. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Social Studies Understand the essential concepts of geography, economics, history and government Understand the essential concepts of geography, economics, history and government Analyze conflicts and debate and defend a position Analyze conflicts and debate and defend a position Participate in hands-on activities such as problem-solving and decision-making in the real world, simulations and service learning Participate in hands-on activities such as problem-solving and decision-making in the real world, simulations and service learning

11. 8 th Grade Proficiency – Exploratory Electives Experience a curriculum that is aligned to core academic standards Experience a curriculum that is aligned to core academic standards Read and write to learn Read and write to learn Work on projects that integrate academic standards Work on projects that integrate academic standards Practice use of technology; and explore different career pathways Practice use of technology; and explore different career pathways

12. Connections……………… In your content groups, discuss how these proficiency standards relate to the gifted services that you provide. In your content groups, discuss how these proficiency standards relate to the gifted services that you provide. Be able to share one way in which we can improve gifted services for middle school students. Be able to share one way in which we can improve gifted services for middle school students.