Gifted and Talented Educational Services Mrs TaylorDunn Gifted

Gifted and Talented Educational Services Mrs. Taylor-Dunn Gifted and Talented Specialist Ltaylor-Dunn@nisdtx. org 817 -698 -1859 Revised August 2016

State Definition of Gifted “Gifted and talented student” means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who: (1) exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; (2) possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or (3) excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code 29. 121) Revised August 2013

NISD Core Beliefs We believe that… ■ kids come first. ■ continuous improvement is critical for success of the Northwest Independent School District. ■ the success of each student is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools and communities. ■ environment influences learning. Revised August 2013

District Advanced Academics Mission Statement ● ● The Advanced Academics Department, in partnership with parents and community, will engage students in a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens. In the Northwest Independent School District, the Advanced Academics Department provides direction and leadership to K-12 advanced academics programs. The Advanced Academic services provide support for the multi-faceted gifted education programs which include: Gifted and Talented Program Education Services (GATES), Advanced Placement (AP), and Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) classes, UIL activities, Academic Decathlon, and Destination Imagination. Revised August 2014

GATES Vision The best and most sought-after advanced academics program in Texas where every student is future ready: ■ Ready for College ■ Ready for the Global Workplace ■ Ready for Personal Success Revised August 2013

NISD Qualifications ● Minimum of 3 Criteria for Quantitative Data ■ ● Cog. AT and/or Naglieri, and ITBS Minimum of 2 Criteria for Qualitative Data ■ Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI), Gifted and Talented Education Scale, Slocumb/Payne, NISD Parent Checklist, student work samples Revised August 2013

State Goal for Services for Gifted/Talented Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment… Revised August 2014

GOAL STATEMENTS ■ ■ To provide differentiated educational services promoting critical and creative thinking skills. To engage students in an academically challenging and motivating program. Revised August 2013

GOAL STATEMENTS ■ ■ To identify and implement best practices in teaching gifted students. To support the needs of highly able students by providing training for teachers. Revised August 2013

District Curriculum Philosophy Statement At Northwest ISD, the education of identified gifted students is based on the following areas of emphasis: ● Problem Solving/Critical Thinking ● Creative Thinking ● Research Skills ● Communication Skills These areas of emphasis will help students develop into independent learners. Revised August 2016

Problem Solving/ Critical Thinking The student uses a variety of approaches to solve problems; develops thoughtful questions; plans, organizes, implements, evaluates, and presents solutions. Students demonstrate skills of complex thinking; see relationships; examine facts and variables; make deductions based on logical reasoning. Revised August 2013

Creative Thinking The student uses divergent thinking; sees things in new and different ways. The student shows fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration in generating and presenting ideas. Revised August 2016

Research Skills The student asks open-ended research questions and develops a plan for answering them; gathers information from relevant sources; clarifies research questions and evaluates/synthesizes collected information; purposefully organizes and presents ideas/conclusions Revised August 2016

Communication Skills The student communicates effectively; listens actively; participates effectively in a group. Revised August 2013

What does an Independent Learner do? ■ Through the curriculum and various learning opportunities, students will develop into independent learners. The student will learn to organize his/her time and work and use a variety of resources. Students who receive gifted services will learn to set high standards of quality and complete selfdirected learning. Students will also develop innovative products and performances.

New Minutes Grade Minimum # of minutes for pull-out/week Kindergarten 90 minutes 1 st Grade 90 minutes 2 nd Grade 90 minutes 3 rd Grade 150 minutes 4 th Grade 180 minutes 5 th Grade 180 minutes Revised August 2016

GATES Progress Report ■ This is currently being revised. ■ 1 st and 2 nd grades will receive a progress report every 12 weeks. ■ 3 rd-5 th grades at the end of each semester. Revised August 2016

Ongoing Lessons Throughout the Year ● Vocabulary Integration- (PSAT and SAT Prep! It is never too early!) ● 16 Habits of Mind/Scholarly Behaviors- The skills, behaviors and attitudes that effective learners use with dealing with new learning problems. ● 11 Depth and Complexity Icons - Going deeper into our thinking and questioning! ● Research and Writing Skills ● Technology Integration- i. Pads and Netbooks! ☺ ● Six Thinking Hats -Encourages thinking in colorful ways! ● Creative/Future Problem Solving Skills- We want our students to be future ready! ● Problem Based Learning and the Engineering Design Process- Real World Applications ● Creative Thinking Skills- (FFOE-Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration) Revised August 2013

Kindergarten ■ Fall (Sept. –Dec. ) ●Ongoing, whole classroom, weekly critical and creative thinking lessons, including lessons to screen for potential GT students ■ Jan. -Feb. ●GT testing for referred students ■ Spring (March-May) ●Critical and Creative thinking skills lessons for identified GT students Revised August 2013

First and Second Grade Over the course of 2 years, students will “travel” through the continents using the lens of various kinds of engineers to solve problems within those continents. Main Topics • World Geography including Continents and Oceans • Engineering Design Process

3 rd Grade Over the course of the year, students will identify and analyze structures all over the world. Students will learn about architecture and design both man made and natural. Students will engage in hands-on, open-ended engineering design challenges to deepen their understanding of strong and stable structures. Main Topics • Architectural Vocabulary • Elements of Design • Problem-Solving • Research • Team Work/Collaboration

4 th Grade Archaeology- Digging into the past and understanding the value of studying history is our goal for the year. Students will complete a research project about an ancient civilization of their choice. Students will then be exposed to successful vs failed theme parks and understand what makes them succeed or fail. Finally students will design a theme park reflecting the ancient civilization that they studied.

5 th Grade Over the course of the year students will assess global problems, predict their future impact on civilization and design a solution or marketing strategy to help solve the problem of their choice. Students will study successful philanthropists and entrepreneurs to help guide them through this project.

Other Opportunities ■ ■ ■ ■ Duke TIP-4 th and 5 th grade qualifying students only Rising Stars Destination Imagination-K-2 nd Destination Imagination-3 rd-5 th UIL-2 nd-5 th Campus Clubs (Art Club, Marathon Club, Battle of the Books) Artistic Contests-PTA Reflections, NISD Holiday Greeting Card, Art Show District Events-Night of No Limits, Techno. Expo Community/Summer Opportunities-Community link on NISD website Revised August 2013

Bottom line… ■ We will make sure that gifted children’s needs are being addressed EVERY DAY. ■ We will make sure that appropriate lessons (differentiated, respectful tasks, tiered, compacted, engaging) are provided. ■ We will challenge our gifted students with dignity and respect. ■ We will honor and cherish their differences, from their classmates & from each other. ■ We will NOT have a “One Size Fits All” program. Revised August 2013

Websites for Gifted Resources www. sengifted. org www. nagc. org www. txgifted. org www. bertiekingore. com http: //www. nisdtx. org/departments/advanced_academics/ Visit the NISD Advanced Academics webpage for more resources: http: //www. nisdtx. org/cms/One. aspx? portal. Id=232201&page. I d=430405 You can also follow Audra Rowell, Advanced Academics Coordinator, on Twitter: @audrarowell 94 Revised August 2013