Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services 2014-2015

1. Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services2014-2015 • Campbell Elementary School • Pamela Clark ½ time Resource Teacher for the Gifted ½ time Expeditionary Learning Coordinator • Pamela.Clark@apsva.us

2. What We Do for All K-5 Students… Promote student involvement and engagement through expeditionary learning protocols and expeditions. Offer in-class lessons using critical and creative thinking strategies Attend grade level planning meetings to assist in differentiation for high-end learners Support teachers by offering ideas and materials for differentiation in the classroom Support teachers by offering training so teachers can better recognize and serve students who need greater levels of challenge. Conduct formal and informal screenings to help teachers make appropriate gifted referrals in February.

3. Afterschool Opportunities: Odyssey of the Mind -Creative Problem Solving and Teamwork, Focus Book Clubs, Project Discovery.

4. Growth Mindsetbased on the work of Carol Dweck Helping kids understand that their intelligence is not fixed Encouraging hard work and risk-taking, so we can all improve our abilities Teaching kids to frame their thinking in new ways to foster personal growth

5. Growth Mindset Instead of saying… You’re so smart! You’re a great artist! You’re just not that good at math. Try saying… You worked really hard, and it shows! You’ve been practicing your art and are showing great improvement. You’re having trouble with math right now, but keep working on it and you will do better.

6. Sound Familiar? Is your child… * always asking penetrating questions? * highly curious and imaginative? * able to grasp new ideas quickly? * often thinking of new ways to do things? * able to communicate ideas easily? * highly alert and observant? * able to concentrate and retain information? * motivated to attend to interesting tasks? * adaptable and committed to finding answers? * interested in trying complex activities? If so, they may require gifted services.

7. Arlington Public Schools Curriculum • Core Curriculum • English • Math • Science • Social Studies • Arts Curriculum • Visual Arts • Music In APS, students may be identified in one or more areas. Additional areas may be added throughout their academic K-12 career.

8. How We Differentiate in English/Language Arts… • Reading • Schoolwide Enrichment Model-Reading (SEM-R) book hooks with higher levels of questioning, promoting books with greater levels of challenge, conferencing with students to individually assess and guide students toward greater levels of comprehension, independent projects requiring creative and critical thinking that allow students to follow their passion • Occasional short-term novel studies or research pullout groups. • Writing/Grammar • Instruction matched to student interests and skills • Written responses to SEM-Reading. • Word Study • Spelling and vocabulary leveled to student skill

9. How We Differentiate in Mathematics… • Push in lessons to model use of alternative math resources in the classroom (ie. UConn M³ Units, Number Sense, Real World Problem Solving) • Push in lessons to model strategies to differentiate the APS math textbook, Math Expressions. • Continental Math League Meets and practice problems (2nd-5th grades) • Math Dice practice challenges, lunch play, and tryouts for the team 2nd semester (5th grade) • Anchoring Folders with appropriately challenging work to be done in place of regular classroom activities when appropriate. • Short-term pullout lessons with small groups.

10. How We Differentiate in Science and Social Studies… • Creating interdisciplinary connections • Infusing real world connections • Promoting hands on/experiential learning that encourages creative and critical thinking

11. How We Differentiate in Music and Visual Arts… • Art and Music Teachers differentiate for advanced learners during their weekly classes. • Occasional opportunities allow students to extend the use of their talents during special programs (ie. expeditions, art shows, concerts, theatrical productions, and honors chorus/band/orchestra tryouts

12. More Information about any Core Curriculum Area • English: Sheila Gale & Maria Fiordellisi • Math: Nivvi Tareen • Science: Alice Gantenbein • Social Studies: Ethan Schoenherr • Instruction Lead: Caroline McAleer

13. COLLABORATION FOR EFFECTIVE DIFFERENTIATION Classroom Teacher Student Resource Teacher for Gifted

14. How the Collaboration Model Works… We teach lessons in the classroom and pullouts as well as teaching teachers about ways to better serve their gifted students. We help suggest ways teachers can change their classroom structure and strategies to support gifted students. We help plan and prep activities for teachers to use in their classrooms. We spearhead the identification process as well as suggest and support teachers in their student referrals.

15. Twice Exceptional Who Are They? A student in grades K through 12 who demonstrate high performance ability or academic potential and who have a cognitive, physical, behavioral, or emotional disability that requires accommodations in order for their potential to be realized.

16. The greatest challenge in serving students who are twice exceptional are the perceptions of most educators that giftedness and special needs are distinct, separate conditions. - Marty Hougen, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin

17. Advocating for Your Gifted Child with EBD – Emotional & Behavior Disorders • Examining the Issues of 2e Students with EBD • U.S. Income Tax Considerations for Parents of 2e Children • Conference Coverage. Center for Talent Development, SENG • Bob Seney on Books. Seney reviews Wonder • Dr. Sylvia Rimm: "Second Sibling Discouraged by Older Brother." • News. recent news from the 2e community http://www.2enewsletter.com/index.html

18. The Gifted Identification Process in Arlington

19. VA Gifted Regulations • Virginia Department of Education regulations state that each school district must develop a plan to identify and provide services to those students who have learning needs beyond the regular instructional program. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/index.shtml

20. 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

21. 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)

22. Screening for Gifted Services • Each year, the total population is screened by school staff to create a pool of candidates based on students’ need for gifted services • Screening is formal – review of testing information • Screening is informal –teacher feedback, parent information, honors, awards, student participation in school events, competitions, etc.

23. 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. Referral forms can be found here: http://www.apsva.us/page/1846 • 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. Referral forms can be found here: http://www.apsva.us/page/1846

24. Teacher Referrals • Typically, teachers submit referrals in February seeking official identification for the following school year; however, as teachers see the need for more consistent differentiation, students can be served as needed regardless of whether or not they have officially been identified.

25. Eligibility Criteria - Gifted Services in Specific Academic Areas • Nationally Normed Testing Information • Ability testing (NNAT2, KBIT (K-1), CogAT) • Achievement testing • Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors • School-based Data (SOL, DRA, IA tests) • Parent Information • Work samples

26. Eligibility Criteria - Visual Art or Vocal/Instructional Music Areas – Grades 3-12 • Grades • Parent Information • Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors • Student Products

27. Appeals Process • An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process: • Appeals begin at the school level with the principal • A second level of appeal is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the school level committee decision)

28. Gifted Services Identification • Teacher awareness of student’s abilities and understanding of student’s instructional needs • Opportunities to work with other students who have the ability to reason and problem solve at a high level • RTG availability to support student’s performance and educational program

29. Role of Parent – SupportingDifferentiation for Student • Resources for Parents: • Parent Resource Center Materials - 703-228-7239 • National Association for Gifted - www.nagc.org • Virginia Association for Gifted - www.vagifted.org • Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted - www.sengifted.org • 2e Newsletter – http://www.2enewsletter.com • Support your child’s interest to pursue social and cultural opportunities within and beyond his/her strength area(s) • Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teachers, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress

30. 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 or email, and the best time for me to contact you.

31. Gifted Services Advisory Committee (GSAC) • Arlington Public School’s Parent Advocacy Group • Part of Advisory Council of Instruction • Monthly meetings • If interested in serving on this committee, please contact Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services) at cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

32. RTG Contact Information: The best way to contact me is by emailing me questions and including a phone number and a good time to reach you. Pamela.Clark@apsva.us

33. Find out more about 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 cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

34. Parent Resources Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG) http://www.vagifted.org National Association for the Gifted (NAGC) http://nagc.org NAGC National Conference – Baltimore, MD NAGC Parent Day – Saturday, November 15 Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) http://sengifted.org

35. Getting Connected: APS Gifted Services Sign up for @APSGifted Twitter APS Gifted Services Website www.apsva.us/giftedservices Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor, Gifted Services at 703-228-6160 or cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us