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F O C U S. F ostering O riginality C reativity U nderstanding S elf Awareness. Mrs. Marie O’Neill Born & raised in the small farming community of Elida, Ohio Moved to Georgia after marrying my husband, John, in 1985 John teaches 5 th grade at Duncan Creek Elem.
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Mrs. Marie O’Neill Born & raised in the small farming community of Elida, Ohio Moved to Georgia after marrying my husband, John, in 1985 John teaches 5th grade at Duncan Creek Elem. My daughter, Kathleen, is 22 and a senior at Georgia Southern University. My son, Ray, is 16 and in 10th grade at Dacula High School. Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University. Earned Gifted-Education endorsement from the University of Georgia. Earned Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia. Certified grades K-8 for both regular and gifted education 29th year teaching, 16th as a gifted-program teacher
Identification • Students are evaluated in 4 areas • Must have qualifying scores in 3 out of 4 areas • Mental Ability (CogAT, O/LSAT, NNAT) • Achievement (ITBS) • Motivation (GRS) • Creativity (PCA)
A Gifted Individual: • Is curious • Is persistent in pursuit of interests and questions. • In perceptive of the environment • Is critical of self and others. • Has a highly developed sense of humor, often a verbal orientation. • Is sensitive to injustices on personal and worldwide levels. • Is a leader in various areas.
experience school work that is relevant, stimulating, & challenging. have expectations placed upon them that are in line with their aptitude. learn that self-discipline, long range planning, and hard work are necessary to produce quality work. realize that excellence of work and quality of ideas are more important than grades. experience humility as questions are raised by teachers and classmates-question for which they do not have an answer. Gifted students need to:
has an advanced vocabulary is an avid reader grasps mathematical concepts readily talks too much; uses words to intimidate other people; seems pompous buries himself/herself in books and avoids social interaction has little patience for regular math lessons & homework The child who……
is creative & imaginative sets high standards for self; is self-critical shows originality is a flexible thinker wanders off the subject perfectionistic; lacks tolerance for mistakes of others loner, doesn’t go along w/ the group has trouble making decisions The child who……
is responsive to new ideas gets excitement from intellectual challenge keen sense of humor becomes impatient demands intellectual challenge uses humor to get attention or attack others The child who……
FOCUS Curriculum 1. Interdisciplinary Units 2. FOCUS Math/Thinking Skills
Interdisciplinary Units • Integrate a Variety of Subjects • High Interest & Hands-on • Cooperative and Individual Learning
FOCUS Math • Problem Solving • Math Analogies
Thinking Skills • Creative Thinking Fluency Elaboration Originality • Logic • Visual/Spatial Connections • Analogies • PETS (Primary Education Thinking Skills)
Scheduling • Pull-out model • 80 minutes each week • Mondays 10:00 – 11:20
Grading We use the E, S, N, U grading scale: • E: goes above and beyond the requirements • S: meets expectations • N: had some difficulty with the skill • U: had great difficulty with the skill, was unsuccessful
Grading Continued • Grades are entered into the computer as E, S, S-, N, U. • The GCPS grading programs converts them to a number in order to average them. • The numerical and letter grades appear on the portal. • Please only pay attention to the letter grade. FOCUS does not use percentages to grade.
Continuation in FOCUS Program • Children continue in program (through high school) unless not performing adequately in gifted classes.
GAGE - Gwinnett Alliance for Gifted Education • Part of the Georgia Association for Gifted Children • Voice for gifted education at state level • Georgia is one of only 6 states that fully funds gifted education • State department is currently reviewing gifted education models and funding • Spring Consortium on March 8 – see flyer • Membership forms are available