Jacqueline Firster Resource Teacher for the Gifted Abingdon Elementary School

1. Jacqueline Firster • Resource Teacher for the Gifted • Abingdon Elementary School

2. Question Cards • Do you have a specific question? • Please write your question(s) • Your name • Your child’s name • Your contact information • The best time for me to contact you

3. Why Gifted Services Identification? • Teacher awareness of student’s abilities and understanding of student’s instructional needs • Opportunities to work with other students who have the ability to reason and problem solve at a high level • RTG availability to support student’s performance and educational program

4. Classroom Support • Plan with and support the classroom teachers with extension activities and projects • identified students • students who show evidence of mastering grade level content • Push-in/Pull-out Literature/Reading/Writing support for differentiated, small group instruction • Push-in/Pull-out Mathematics support for differentiated, small group instruction • Co-Teaching with classroom teachers and specialists

5. Classroom Support • Provide Flipped Instruction lessons as needed • Model critical and creative thinking strategies in classes on a rotating basis • Provide resources and differentiation support to non-classroom teachers/specialists • May look different in the various grade levels depending on teacher and student needs

6. Curriculum Examples • Gifted Services Literature Units • William and Mary Literature Units and Materials • Univ. of Connecticut Project M2 and Project M3 • Best of the Continental Math League/Math Exemplars • Hands-On Equations • Project Clarion Science Units • Teaching With Primary Sources (Library of Congress)

7. Critical Thinking Skills

8. Differentiated Student Progress Form • Reporting at the second and fourth quarters to parents for identified students in grades K-5 • Documents differentiated instructional strategies and extensions • Completed by classroom teacher in collaboration with the RTG • Replaces the Differentiation Instruction Planning Form

9. APS Identification Process • Specific Academic Attitude, K-12 • Language Arts • Math • Social Studies • Science • Visual and Performing Arts, 3-12 • Fine Arts • Vocal/Instrumental Music (instruments taught in APS)

10. Screening for Identification • Each year, the total population is screened by school staff to create a pool of candidates based on students’ need for gifted services • Screening is formal – review of testing information • Screening is informal –teacher feedback, parent information, honors, awards, student participation in school events, competitions, etc.

11. 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. • Referral forms can be found here: http://www.apsva.us/page/1846

12. Eligibility Criteria for Specific Academic Area • Nationally Normed Testing Information • Ability and Achievement Testing • Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors • School-based Data • Parent Information • Work Samples

13. Eligibility Criteria for Visual or Vocal/Instrumental Music Area • Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors • Grades • Parent Information • Student Products

14. Appeals Process • An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process: • Appeals begin at the school level with the principal • A second level of appeal is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the school level committee decision)

15. Role of Parent Supporting Differentiation for Student • Support your child’s interest to pursue social and cultural opportunities within and beyond his/her strength area(s) • Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teachers, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress • APS’s Gifted Services Parent Advocacy Committee If interested in serving on this monthly committee, please contact Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services) at cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

16. Parent Resources • Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG) • http://www.vagifted.org • NAGC National Conference – Baltimore, MD • NAGC Parent Day – Saturday, November 15 • National Association for the Gifted (NAGC) • http://www.nagc.org • Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) • http://www.sengifted.org

17. Sign up for @APSGifted Twitter and @AbingdonGifted APS Gifted Services Website www.apsva.us/giftedservices Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor, Gifted Services Abingdon Gifted Services Website: http://www.apsva.us/domain/3930 Get Connected with APS Gifted Services..

18. Questions? • Do you have a specific question? • Please write your question(s) • Your name • Your child’s name • Your contact information • The best time for me to contact you

19. Contact Information • Jacqueline Firster, Resource Teacher for the Gifted • Email: jacqueline.firster@aspva.us • Phone: 703.228.6650 • Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor of Gifted Services • Email: Cheryl.McCullough@apsva.us • Phone: 703.228.6160