Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services

1. Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services Evelyn Paulson Resource Teacher for the Gifted Williamsburg Middle School 2014 - 2015

2. “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

3. GT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT OVERVIEW By the end of tonight, you will… • 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

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

5. 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

6. DEFINITION RTG and Classroom Teacher work together to design and implement appropriate instruction for identified gifted students.

7. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES INSTRUCTION PLANNING AND PREPARATION CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

8. INSTRUCTION Compacting, Independent study, Special interest projects, Flexible grouping PLANNING AND PREPARATION CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT Tiered lessons, anchor activities, classroom configuration PLANNING AND PREPARATION PLCs, Team Meetings PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Professional development opportunities

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 2014-2015

14. 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 APS is in compliance with Virginia Regulations:

15. 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

16. 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) Areas of Gifted Services Identification

17. 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. Screening for Gifted Services

18. 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.

19. Standardized Testing Information Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors Grades/Academic Performance Student Products Parent Information Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment Eligibility Criteria - Gifted Services in Specific Academic Areas Xckfhf ahj xxxx

20. Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors Student Products Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment Grades/Artistic Performance Parent Information Eligibility Criteria - Visual Art or Vocal/Instrumental Music Areas, Grades 3 - 12

21. Gifted Services Identification leads to: • Teacher awareness • Cluster grouping • Opportunities • Arts Programs • Summer Programs • Academic Programs

22. Collaborate with the RTG Plan differentiated units and lessons Coordinate instructional needs of all learners in the classroom Classroom Teacher’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Contact Information: • Phone • 703-228-5477 • Email: Evelyn.Paulson@apsva.us

28. 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.