Arlington Public Schools

Gifted Services

Evelyn Paulson

Resource Teacher for the Gifted

Williamsburg Middle School

2014 - 2015

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!: Yellow Back Book

GT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT OVERVIEW

By the end of tonight, you will…

1.Know how teachers and the RTG collaborate to deliver differentiated services

2. Understand how the roles of the RTG, Classroom Teacher, and Administrator work together to support differentiation for gifted students.

3. Understand the GT identification process

COLLABORATION

FOR

EFFECTIVE DIFFERENTIATION

Classroom Teacher

Resource Teacher for Gifted

Student

RTG Roles Helps your child feel comfortable and accepted Acts as an advocate Helps fosters positive peer relations Serves as a contact between home and school – with the

office, counselor, and other teachers Participates in Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences as

needed and requested Collaborates with teachers to develop differentiated

lessons Researches resources for advanced academic lessons Co-teaches with teachers at their request Runs after school classes for teachers on differentiation Identifies students for GT services Attends and supports grade level teams and professional

learning community teams

DEFINITION

RTG and Classroom Teacherwork together

to design and implement appropriate instruction

for identified gifted students.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

INSTRUCTION

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMEN

T

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

INSTRUCTIONCompacting, Independent study, Special interest projects,

Flexible grouping

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMEN

TTiered lessons,

anchor activities, classroom

configuration

PLANNING AND PREPARATIONPLCs, Team Meetings

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIESProfessional development

opportunities

Math CountsNational Geo. Bee

Science FairHigher Level

Thinking

Virginia JuniorAcademy of Science

Student Growth

A Behind the Scenes Peek into My RTG Day Engages in “getting to know each other” activities for the grade six Bobcat team Responds to several parental email requests for information Responds to several teacher emails requesting support/information on differentiation for advanced students in

Science Sends out invitation to students for Monday’s grade 7 GT lunch bunch

Teaching Co-teaches Multiple Intelligences lessons in grade six reading class

Build cohesiveness & comfort levels to help with adjustment to middle school

Leads first of Grade 7 GT Lunch for students in library Responds to several grade six student questions regarding GT this year

Teacher Planning Meets with grade six teacher to plan lunch time writing club for grade six Meets with Math Coach to discuss grade 7 math support Works with gr. 8 English teacher Meets with gr. 6 Science teacher to brainstorm teaching strategies

Daily Theme: Monday: Get organized for the day—lockers, binders, TA folder Tuesday: D.E.A.R. Day Wednesday: CNN Student News Thursday: Team Building Activities and Discussion Friday: Game Day

Watch morning announcements, say Pledge of Allegiance, observe minute of silence

Participate in community service projects & character education activities

Students can meet with their counselor

Sneak Peak into GT Students’ Day Offered higher level reading text in Grade 7 History Participated in optional lunch time Socratic Seminar in grade 8 World Geography Grade 6 student enrolled in grade 7 math class Signed up for Science Fair in grade 7 & 8 Invited to be lead attorney in Animal Farm court case for grade 8 English class Gifted music student is invited to join WMS Chamber Winds Tested out of grade six Energy Unit, offered extension project on Greenhouse

Gases Offered higher level work in grade 6 History: optional table where activities

require creative solutions Grade 7 Science, encouraged to research DNA project US History: More primary resources used in addition to text for advance

learners Grade 7 English Challenge Activities (e.g. writing from different points of view) Invited to participate in Grade 8 English Folger Shakespeare Festival Grade 7 Math: students encouraged to work ahead as meets their interest/skills

Middle School Gifted Services Activities Creative/Critical Thinking Skills

Mindmapping DeBono’s Thinking Hats Dr. Howard Gardner’s

Multiple Intelligences Carol Dwerk’s Mindset and

Motivation (Persistence Despite Failure)

Robert Sternberg’s Learning Preferences (Analyze/Create/Apply)

Dr. Kagan’s Cooperative Learning

Socratic Seminars

Additional Support Activities Science Fair(Ms. Lawrence) Model UN Debate Team (Ms. Carlson) Grade 6 Creative Writing Club (Ms. Myers) Shakespeare(Gr.7 & 8 English Teachers) GT Lunch Bunches(Evelyn Paulson) (#1 Intro, # 2MI, #3 Mind Set, #4TED Talks)

2014-2015

APS is in compliance with Virginia Regulations:

Identify students who require gifted services

Establish continuous educational services to match the needs of gifted learners

Train teachers in ways to provide services

Support differentiated instruction to meet the needs of gifted students

Gifted Services Eligibility and Identification Process

Virginia regulations require that school divisions develop a process for determining whether students are eligible for gifted services

An identification process determines a student’s eligibility

Areas of Gifted Services Identification

Specific Academic Aptitude, K-12

English Mathematics Science Social Studies

Visual or Performing Arts, Grades 3-12

Visual Art Vocal Music Instrumental Music

(instruments taught in APS)

Screening for Gifted Services Each year, the total

population is screened by school staff to create a pool of eligible candidates based on students’ participation and performance in various academic and arts activities.

Screening is formal – review of test scores following standardized testing.

Screening is informal – competitions, awards, honors, student participation in school events.

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 1st for the current school year.

An Appeals Process is available to families following the eligibility process. Appeals begin at the school level with the principal. Second level of appeals is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee.

Eligibility Criteria - Gifted Services in Specific Academic Areas

Standardized Testing Information

Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors

Grades/Academic Performance

Student Products

Parent Information

Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment

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Eligibility Criteria - Visual Art or Vocal/Instrumental Music Areas, Grades 3 - 12

Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors

Student Products

Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment

Grades/Artistic Performance

Parent Information

Gifted Services Identification leads to:

Teacher awareness Cluster grouping Opportunities

Arts Programs Summer Programs Academic Programs

Classroom Teacher’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted Collaborate with

the RTG

Plan differentiated units and lessons

Coordinate instructional needs of all learners in the classroom

RTG’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted

Support the Classroom Teacher: collaboratively plans provides student enrichment models and trains teachers in

instructional strategies informs teachers about gifted

education training opportunities

coordinates the identification process

Principal’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted

Supports collaboration of classroom teachers and RTG

Provides opportunities for staff development and training in differentiation for advanced learners

Evaluates staff on evidence of effective differentiation

Role of Parent Educate yourself about your child’s needs:

Parent Resource Center Materials - 703-228-7239 www.nagc.org or www.vagifted.org or

www.sengifted.org

Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teacher, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress

Further InformationAPS Gifted Services

Visit the Arlington Public Schools Web Site www.apsva.us Click on Curriculum and Instruction Click on Programs Click on Gifted Services

www.apsva.us/giftedservices

Contact Information: Phone

703-228-5477

Email:Evelyn.Paulson@aps

va.us

Questions and Exit Cards General questions that relate to

Gifted Services.

Exit Cards: On each table, you will find index cards that can be used if you have a specific question about your child.

Please write the question, your name/your student’s name, your phone number, and the best time for me to contact you.

I will call you in order to address your specific questions.