Welcome Elementary GT Programming Highly Gifted Centers Instructional Approach

1. Center Program for the Highly GiftedOverview • Welcome • Elementary GT Programming • Highly Gifted Centers • Instructional Approach • Academic Environment • Timeline • Frequently Asked Questions

2. GT Programming in MCPS Elementary Schools • Curriculum Needs for Gifted Children • Creative Thinking • Critical Thinking • Academic Success • Skills • Interdisciplinary • Connections • Instructional • challenge

3. GT Programming in MCPS Elementary Schools • Curriculum 2.0 Reading/Language Arts • Junior Great Books (Questioning, Inquiry, Discourse) • William and Mary Units (Advanced Novels, Writing, Research, Theme-Based Integration) • Advanced Core Books/Novels • Curriculum 2.0 Mathematics • Designed to teach foundational concepts, reasoning, application, and thinking that prepares students for upper level math in ms & hs • Lessons & Resources for Acceleration & Enrichment • Curriculum 2.0 Science & Social Studies • Enrichment Lessons/Tasks, Investigations, Cross-Curricular Connections

4. Center Program for the Highly GiftedRationale • Designed for students with needs that cannot be easily met through local school GT programming • Program content is based on accelerated, compacted and enriched MCPS curriculum • Instructional atmosphere promotes thinking skills and instructional strategies that encourage intellectual growth, risk taking and creative expression

5. Center Program for the Highly Gifted Who is the Center program designed for? Students who have been successful in the Centers come from diverse backgrounds and share the following traits: • Academic performance well above grade level in one or more areas • Exceptional content reasoning skills, advanced vocabulary, advanced written expression • Continual curiosity and motivation to learn • Strong critical and creative thinking • High level of commitment, persistence, independence

6. Center Program for the Highly GiftedSchool Setting • All students and their parents/guardians are participating members in the center school and are part of the school community. • Instructional groups are flexible and fluid. Students may switch between center classrooms for various subjects. • Mathematics instruction follows MCPS curriculum and classes may include accelerated students from the local school program. • Students continue to participate in the school’s weekly specials (art, music, instrumental music, P.E.)

7. Center Programfor the Highly GiftedInstructional Approach • Curriculum is presented through interdisciplinary units that connect ideas and concepts across content areas. • Research skills are integrated in each of the content areas including information literacy. • Students have the opportunity to apply and extend what they learn to solve problems, address issues and create products that are authentic and purposeful. • Appropriate challenge and advanced instruction are provided in response to varying learner needs to encourage student engagement, motivation, and growth.

8. Sample Interdisciplinary ConnectionsAdaptations Science Social Studies Reading/Writing “Oil Spill Experimental Research Investigations” Lead sessions 1-3 with students. Have students make connections to “Is Humanity a Special Threat?” essay. Enrichment Opportunity- Investigate & compare the Exxon Valdez oil spill to British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “Picturing Native Americans” Analyze historical depictions of Native Americans in MD and… record observations of ways the cultural group adapted to or modified the natural environment. “Information in Images” Gather information on a variety of Native American groups to determine how they adapted to and modified the environment and how the environment influenced the development of cultures. “Is Humanity a Special Threat?” Shared Inquiry & Personal Response: Should there be human laws that punish those who break nature’s laws or should we let nature take care of itself? “Nacho Loco” Personal Response: Do you agree that we must save the planet in small ways? Do you believe that many small actions have the same impact as one big action?

9. Center Programfor the Highly GiftedSelection Process and Timeline • October - Applications mailed to all Grade 3 students enrolled in MCPS • October - Attend one of two evening meetings • November 2 - Application deadline • January - Testing at home elementary schools • January 15-Non-MCPS students’ testing date • March - Selection process • April 1- Notification of selection • April – Open Houses / Response to notification

10. Barnsley ES Walter Johnson Richard Montgomery Rockville Wheaton Chevy Chase ES Bethesda Chevy Chase Whitman Clearspring ES Clarksburg (except Fox Chapel ES and Daly ES) Damascus Gaithersburg Magruder Watkins Mill Cold Spring ES Churchill Wootton Center Program for the Highly GiftedCenters and High School Clusters

11. Drew ES Blake Paint Branch Springbrook Sherwood Fox Chapel ES Clarksburg (only Fox Chapel ES and Daly ES) Northwest Poolesville Quince Orchard Seneca Valley Pine Crest ES/Oak View ES Blair Einstein Kennedy Northwood Wheaton Center Program for the Highly GiftedCenters and High School Clusters

12. Center Program for the Highly GiftedFrequently Asked Questions Where can I get an application? • Direct mail to all Grade 3 students enrolled in MCPS • Web site:www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms • Available in the office of the home elementary school • Applications available in various languages

13. Center Program for the Highly GiftedFrequently Asked Questions How are the students selected for the Center Program? • The central office selection committee uses a variety of data points to determine those students whose needs would best be met in the center program based on – - Information provided by the school on the academic performance and motivation of each applicant • Parent and teacher information • Student performance on the advanced level assessment • The process is competitive and there are a limited number of seats for each center

14. Center Program for the Highly GiftedFrequently Asked Questions What transportation services are provided? MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve. • Transportation is provided for the Highly Gifted Centers to and from central stops (usually at MCPS schools) determined by the Department of Transportation. • Stops may be several miles from the student’s home. • Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the central stops. • Bus trips are usually significantly longer and vary by program and location. Please carefully consider transportation options and responsibilities.

15. Center Program for the Highly GiftedFrequently Asked Questions What middle school options are available after HGC? • Participate in honors or advanced coursework at the home middle school • Apply to countywide middle school magnet programs: Upcounty Center Programs at Roberto Clemente Middle School Humanities and Communications Program at Eastern Middle School Science, Mathematic, Computer Science Program at Takoma Park Middle School • Apply to one of the Middle School Magnet Consortium Schools (MSMC) Argyle Magnet School for Digital Design and Development Loiederman Magnet School for the Creative and Performing Arts Parkland Magnet School for Aerospace Technology

16. Center Program for the Highly GiftedCONTACTS • Monique Felder, Director, AEI • Jeannie Franklin, Director, DCCAPS • Elise Antoine, Instructional Specialist, AEI • Betty Shevitz, Instructional Specialist, DCCAPS Call the Division of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction with questions about programming at 301-279-3163 Call the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services with questions about the application process at 301-592-2040. Visit the Web site: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/specialprograms