Key School Gifted Services 2014 - 2015 Micaela Mejia Pond Coach
Pond Resource Teacher for the Gifted [email protected] School
Phone: 703/228-4210
Slide 2
Warm Up Activity Who is in the room? What brought you out on
this rainy night? What do you hope to learn about? What do you
remember about the gifted program? PLEASE TURN TO YOUR TABLE MATES
AND DISCUSS.
Slide 3
Information Cards: On each table, you will find cards for you
to complete providing me with your contact information. If I am not
able to answer your question tonight, write it on the back of the
card, and I will contact you via email or phone. Questions: There
will be time for GENERAL questions throughout the presentation. If
you have a specific question you wish to ask about your child,
please see me following the meeting or contact me via email or
phone.
Slide 4
Coach Pond Key School Teacher of the Year Celebrating my 20 th
year of teaching! Student of Christa McAuliffe University of
Wisconsin- Madison Go Badgers! George Mason University Arlington
Parent
Slide 5
Slide 6
The Role of the Resource Teacher for the Gifted Promote
differentiation strategies in the classroom Collaborate and
co-teach lessons in classrooms with clusters of identified gifted
students Teach critical-thinking and creative-thinking lessons in
classrooms K-5 Provide enrichment and supplemental resources to
teachers Provide professional development about gifted education to
teachers Facilitate the gifted identification process
Slide 7
Gifted Services at KEY I work in partnership with the classroom
teachers and the math coaches on collaborative instruction. Our
method of services at Key vary with the needs of the child. We have
moved towards a push-in model and only pull out when absolutely
necessary. Creative/Critical Thinking Skills K-5 Monthly Lessons
Daily Differentiation to meet the needs of our students.
Slide 8
Cluster Grouping Students in grades K-5 have been clustered
into classrooms with intellectual peers. Clusters are usually made
of 4-8 students. The Resource Teacher for the Gifted (RTG) supports
the classroom teachers in planning extension lessons and activities
for students who have already mastered grade-level skills and
content. Support from the RTG may look different at different grade
levels, depending on the needs of the students.
Slide 9
Gifted Services target specific areas of strength Specific
Academic Aptitude, K-12 English Mathematics Science Social Studies
Visual or Performing Arts, Grades 3-12 Visual Art Vocal Music
(Chorus) Instrumental Music Band/Orchestra
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What has changed? Increased emphasis on collaboration and co-
teaching between the classroom teacher and the RTG Increased use of
push-in services for RTG to co- teach in the regular classroom
Increased focus on providing more consistent differentiation and
challenge for advanced students in the regular classroom
Slide 11
New Student Ability Tests NNAT2 or Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability
Test Given to all Key second graders in the fall. 30 minute timed
test Computer based Parent report of scores provided by APS. CogAt
or Cognitive Abilities Test Given to all Key fourth graders in the
fall computer based To assess students abilities in reasoning and
problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal (spatial)
symbols Parent report of scores provided by APS.
Slide 12
English/Language Arts Reading Matched to student skill level,
including robust vocabulary study, and critical-creative thinking
responses. Matched to student skill level, including robust
vocabulary study, and critical-creative thinking responses.
Writing/Grammar Developing deeper levels of elaboration and depth
in student writing either by student interests or response to
reading choices. Developing deeper levels of elaboration and depth
in student writing either by student interests or response to
reading choices. Word Study Spelling and vocabulary leveled to
student skill and designed to further extend their working
vocabulary. Spelling and vocabulary leveled to student skill and
designed to further extend their working vocabulary.
Slide 13
Mathematics Curriculum and Beyond Beyond the Textbook: -
Hands-on-Equations - Computer based sites - W&M units - Project
M or M - The Problem Solver - Math Dice Number Sense Computation
and Estimation Measurement Geometry Patterns, Functions, Algebra
Probability and Statistics
Slide 14
Scientific Extensions APS: Outdoor Lab (day or overnight)
Planetarium visits Science in the School Yard Elementary
Engineering Student driven research-centered projects
Slide 15
Social Studies Extensions Exploring historical events and the
world around us: Student-centered research projects on topic of
choice as it relates to units Considering National Geographic
Geography Bee (Grades 4 & 5) History Alive!
Slide 16
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,
Jacobs Ladder, Literature Web, Pauls 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) deBonos Hats, Debates, RAFT,
Socratic Seminar, Junior Great Books, Structured Academic
Controversy Questioning Blooms Taxonomy, Levels of Questioning
Slide 17
How are students identified as gifted? 4-step identification
process: 1. Screening 2. Referral and Data Collection 3.
Identification Committee Decision 4. Appeal
Slide 18
Step 1: Screening All students at Key are screened each year to
decide whether they have learning needs beyond the regular
instructional program. We consider: Testing data Teacher
observations Parent information Classroom performance Honors or
awards
Slide 19
Step 2: Referral Referrals can be made by: Teachers School
staff Parents/guardians Community members Most referrals are
submitted January through March. Deadline for referrals is April 1
st Parent referral forms can be found on the Gifted Services
Website or requested from the RTG
Slide 20
Gathering Eligibility Data The RTG collects data to help
determine a students eligibility for Gifted Services, including:
School-based assessment data Nationally-normed testing data Parent
information Student work samples Teacher checklist of observed
behaviors
Slide 21
Step 3: Identification Committee Decision Committee includes
classroom teacher(s), the RTG, and an administrator. All
eligibility data is reviewed. A decision is made about the
appropriateness of Gifted Services for the student. Decisions are
usually made in May, for services to begin the following school
year. Parents are notified by mail of the decision.
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Step 4: Appeal Parents may appeal the decision. Level One
Appeal: At the school-level with the principal Requests must be
submitted in writing within 10 days of notification of the decision
Level Two Appeal: At the county level with the Gifted Services
Administrative Appeals Committee Requests must be submitted in
writing within 30 days of Level One decision
Slide 23
Role of Parent Supporting Differentiation for Student Resources
for Parents: National Association for Gifted - www.nagc.org
Virginia Association for Gifted - www.vagifted.org Supporting
Emotional Needs of Gifted - www.sengifted.org Support your childs
interest to pursue social and cultural opportunities within and
beyond his/her strength area(s) Maintain communication with your
childs classroom teachers, Coach Pond, as well as Laurie Dodson and
Sandra Small to monitor social and academic progress
Slide 24
Gifted Services Advisory Committee (GSAC) Arlington Public
Schools Parent Advocacy Group Part of Advisory Council of
Instruction Monthly meetings If interested in serving on this
committee, please contact Beth.Dowd (co-chair of GSAC) at
[email protected] or Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services)
at [email protected][email protected]
Slide 25
Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services Visit the Arlington
Public Schools Gifted Services link on the APS Web Site
www.apsva.us/giftedservices Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor, Gifted
Services 703-228-6160 or [email protected]
Slide 26
GRACIAS! EXIT CARDS Please tell me your name, your childs name
and the best way to reach you. Do you have any remaining concerns
or questions? Was the presentation useful? If so how? If not, why?
Would you be willing to volunteer for any special projects?