Erin Puhl Resource Teacher for the Gifted Tuckahoe Elementary School October 29, 2014

1. Erin Puhl Resource Teacher for the Gifted Tuckahoe Elementary School October 29, 2014

2. Agenda • Overview of structure for Gifted Services at Tuckahoe • Agenda for January Parent Night: • Overview of evaluation process

3. Questions and Exit Cards • On each table you will find index cards that can be used if you have any specific questions. • Please write the question, your name, your child’s name and your contact information as well as the best time for me to contact you

4. Professional Responsibilities • Promote differentiation strategies in the classroom • Provide enrichment and supplemental resources for teachers • Model instructional strategies • Inform staff about gifted education training opportunities • Facilitate the identification process

5. Professional Learning Communities Four Key Questions Focus Us on Learning #1 What is it we expect our students to learn? #2 How will we know when they have learned it? #3 How will we provide time and support when they don’t learn it? #4 How will we expand learning when they already know it or learn it quickly?

6. Cluster Grouping • Students in grades 1-5 have been clustered into classrooms with intellectual peers • RTG plans with and supports the classroom teachers by co-teaching lessons, extension activities and projects for those students who have already mastered grade level content • Support may look different in the various grade levels depending on teacher and student needs

7. What does co-teaching look like? • Co-Teaching Forms: • Whole group team teaching with classroom teacher • Small group teaching in classroom, coordinated and co-planned with classroom teacher • Co-planning with classroom teacher for differentiation on days without gifted resource teacher • Flexible grouping is determined by: • Needs of students • Needs of the classroom teacher • Difficulty of unit/topic

8. Classroom Support Kindergarten • Attend weekly math PLC meetings • Integrate grade-level content into critical and creative thinking lessons • Provide resources and differentiation support

9. Classroom Support First Grade • Attend weekly math PLC meetings • Weekly co-teaching in classrooms for math • Integrate grade-level content into critical and creative thinking lessons in all classrooms (to begin in quarter 2) on a rotating basis • Provide resources and differentiation support

10. Classroom Support Second Grade • Communicate closely with weekly math PLC meetings • Collaborate and plan with cluster teachers • Weekly co-teaching in cluster classrooms for language arts and math • Integrate grade-level content into critical and creative thinking lessons in all classrooms on a rotating basis

11. Classroom Support Third Grade • Attend weekly math PLC meetings • Collaborate and plan with cluster teachers • Weekly co-teaching in cluster classrooms for math and language arts • Problem-solving math lessons with non-cluster classrooms • Integrate grade-level content into critical and creative thinking lessons in all classrooms (to begin in quarter 2) on a rotating basis

12. Classroom Support Fourth Grade • Communicate closely with weekly PLC meetings • Collaborate and plan with cluster teachers • Bi-weekly co-teaching in cluster classroom for language arts • Weekly co-teaching in cluster classrooms for math • Integrate grade-level content into critical and creative thinking lessons in all classrooms (to begin in quarter 2) on a rotating basis

13. Classroom Support Fifth Grade • Communicate closely with weekly PLC meetings • Weekly co-teaching in cluster classrooms for math and language arts • Identify and provide differentiation resources as needed

14. Curriculum Examples • Gifted Literature Units • William and Mary Literature Units • Project M2 and Project M3 • Best of the Continental Math League • WordMasters Competition • Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension Program • Hands-On Equations • Exemplars

15. Art and Music Differentiation • Visual Arts: • Differentiation takes place in the art classroom • analyzing their work with more in-depth questions • working with more/different materials • mentoring other students • Optional working recess opportunity to be introduced to new art ideas and to work on individual projects

16. Art and Music Differentiation • Vocal Music: • Differentiation takes place in the music classroom • Frequent formative assessments to monitor student mastery of concepts and to adjust instruction • Open-ended projects that allow for students to demonstrate their creativity and abilities • Example: 4th and 5th grade - Individual composition project connected to time signature review • Example: 3rd grade – composition project inspired by the “sounds of Tuckahoe”

17. Communication Differentiated Student Progress Form • Quarterly report to parents in grades 1-5 for identified students • The form documents differentiated instructional strategies and extensions • Is sent home with report cards

18. Parent Resources • Further information about APS Gifted Services is located on the APS website • www.apsva.us • Click on Curriculum and Instruction • Click on Programs • Click on Gifted Services

19. 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

21. Parent Night – Identification • Parent night presentation explaining the identification process will be held on January 21, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. • Agenda: • Referral process • Evaluation components • Evaluation process timelines

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

23. Contact Information Erin Puhl, Resource Teacher for the Gifted Email: erin.puhl@apsva.us Phone: (703) 228-5288 Cynthia Brown, Principal Email: cynthia.brown@apsva.us Mitch Pascal, Assistant Principal Email: mitch.pascal@apsva.us Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor of Gifted Services Email: cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us Phone: (703) 228-6160