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….

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/

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?

MathLanguage ArtsScience 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 OperationMeasurementGeometryData Analysis an ProbabilityAlgebra

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 SkillsProblem Based LearningOpen Ended QuestioningNovel Studies

Language Arts Classes…

Mini-ProjectsAuthentic TasksApplication 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 (8th) and Algebra (8th).

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. www.dukeupress.edu

National Association for Gifted Children- Includes a choice of The gifted Child Quarterly or Parenting for High Potential. www.nagc.org

North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented. http://ncapt.org

Contact Information

Ms. Catherine Eldridge- Academic Facilitator 980-343-5840 Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm Days- Monday- Friday