Gifted and Talented Educational Services

1. Gifted and Talented Educational Services Marcie Conrad Gifted and Talented Specialist mconrad@nisdtx.org 817.698.3833 Revised August 2013

2. State Definition of Gifted “Gifted and talented student” means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who: (1) exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; (2) possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or (3) excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code 29.121) Revised August 2013

3. NISD Core Beliefs We believe that… • kids come first. • continuous improvement is critical for success of the Northwest Independent School District. • the success of each student is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools and communities. • environment influences learning. Revised August 2013

4. District Advanced Academics Mission Statement • The Advanced Academics Department, in partnership with parents and community, will engage students in a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens. • In the Northwest Independent School District, the Advanced Academics Department provides direction and leadership to K-12 advanced academics programs. The Advanced Academic services provide support for the multi-faceted gifted education programs which include: Gifted and Talented Program Education Services (GATES), Advanced Placement (AP), and Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) classes, UIL activities, Academic Decathlon, and Destination Imagination. Advanced Academics Website: http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/519 Revised August 2014

5. GATES Vision The best and most sought-after advanced academics program in Texas where every student is future ready: • Ready for College • Ready for the Global Workplace • Ready for Personal Success Revised August 2013

6. NISD Qualifications • Minimum of 3 Criteria for Quantitative Data • CogAT and/or Naglieri, and ITBS • Minimum of 2 Criteria for Qualitative Data • Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI), Gifted and Talented Education Scale, Slocumb/Payne, NISD Parent Checklist, student work samples Revised August 2013

7. State Goal for Services for Gifted/Talented Students: Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment… Revised August 2014

8. GOAL STATEMENTS • To provide differentiated educational services promoting critical and creative thinking skills. • To engage students in an academically challenging and motivating program. Revised August 2013

9. GOAL STATEMENTS • To identify and implement best practices in teaching gifted students. • To support the needs of highly able students by providing training for teachers. Revised August 2013

10. District Curriculum Philosophy Statement At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified gifted students is based on the following six areas of emphasis: • Problem Solving • Critical Thinking • Creative Thinking • Research Skills • Independent Learning • Communication Skills Revised August 2013

11. Problem Solving The student uses a variety of approaches to solve problems; develops thoughtful questions; plans, organizes, implements, evaluates, and presents solutions. Revised August 2013

12. Critical Thinking The student demonstrates skills of complex thinking; sees relationships; examines facts and variables; makes deductions based on logical reasoning. Revised August 2013

13. Creative Thinking The student uses divergent thinking; sees things in new and different ways. The student shows fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration in generating and presenting ideas. Revised August 2013

14. Research Skills The student asks open-ended research questions and develops a plan for answering them; gathers information from relevant sources; clarifies research questions and evaluates/synthesizes collected information; purposefully organizes and presents ideas/conclusions. Revised August 2013

15. Independent Learning The student organizes time and work; uses a variety of resources; sets high standards of quality; completes self-directed learning; develops innovative products and performances. Revised August 2013

16. Communication Skills The student communicates effectively; listens actively; participates effectively in a group. Revised August 2013

17. NISD GATES Progress Report Revised August 2013

18. Ongoing Lessons Throughout the Year • Vocabulary Integration-(PSAT and SAT Prep! It is never too early!) • 16 Habits of Mind/Scholarly Behaviors-The skills, behaviors and attitudes that effective learners use with dealing with new learning problems. • 11 Depth and Complexity Icons -Going deeper into our thinking and questioning! • Research and Writing Skills • Technology Integration-iPads and Netbooks!  • Six Thinking Hats -Encourages thinking in colorful ways! • Creative/Future Problem Solving Skills-We want our students to be future ready! • Problem Based Learning and the Engineering Design Process-Real World Applications • Creative Thinking Skills-(FFOE-Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration) Revised August 2013

19. Kindergarten • Fall (Sept.–Dec.) -Ongoing whole classroom weekly critical and creative thinking lessons, including lessons to screen for potential GT students • Jan.-Feb. -GT testing for nominated students • Spring (March-May) -Critical and Creative thinking skills lessons for identified GT students Revised August 2013

20. 1st Grade Stewardship in the Global World: First grade students will focus on how living things depend on other living things and their non-living surroundings in order to survive. Emphasis will be placed on we adapt, make an impact and take care of the world around us. Revised August 2014

21. 2nd Grade Going Extreme with S.T.E.A.M. The 2nd grade curriculum engages students in working as engineers to collaboratively solve problems (missions) while incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) into each learning experience. Revised August 2014

22. 3rd Grade Structures and the Art of Architecture Third graders will explore ways in which engineers and architects use their knowledge to design, build, and test structures using their problem solving skills to find the best solutions for our future. Revised August 2014

23. 4th Grade Let’s Get Civilized! Students will develop an understanding of our past and the contributions made by ancient civilizations. They will explore how these contributions have shaped our world today and apply their knowledge to work as teams of engineers to design and create a “civilized” theme park. . Revised August 2014

24. 5th Grade Global Innovations for Our Future Students will be engaged in learning experiences to develop new and innovative solutions for our future. They will use the Engineering Design Process and Problem Based Learning to create a philanthropic entity showcasing the student’s passion for helping/changing the world. Revised August 2014

25. Websites for Gifted Resources www.sengifted.org www.nagc.org www.txgifted.org www.bertiekingore.com Visit my webpage for more… http://www.nisdtx.org/Domain/1222 Revised August 2013

26. Bottom line… • We will make sure that gifted children’s needs are being addressed EVERY DAY. • We will make sure that appropriate lessons (differentiated, respectful tasks, tiered, compacted, engaging) are provided. • We will challenge our gifted students with dignity and respect. • We will honor and cherish their differences, from their classmates & from each other. • We will NOT have a “One Size Fits All” program. Revised August 2013

27. Other Opportunities • Duke TIP-4th and 5th only • Rising Stars Destination Imagination-K-2nd • Destination Imagination-3rd-5th • UIL-2nd-5th • Campus Clubs (ie., Math Olympiad, Word Masters Challenge, Green Team, Leadership Team, Student Council, Battle of the Books) • Artistic Contests-PTA Reflections, NISD Holiday Greeting Card, Art Show • District Events-Night of No Limits, TechnoExpo • Community/Summer Opportunities-Community link on NISD website Revised August 2013

28. Questions, answers, concerns… Revised August 2013

29. Exit Ticket-What topic (ie.-perfectionism, underachieving, anxieties, needs of gifted learners, etc.) would you like to know more about related to your gifted learner?Thank you so much for your valuable time! Revised August 2013