Welcome to Major Work An Overview of Giftedness and the Longest Running Gifted Program in the United States Characteristics of a Gifted Scholar

What is Giftedness? “Gifted” refers to students who perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels when compared to others their age.

Common Characteristics of Gifted Learners Exceptional alertness Asks probing questions Quick learners Keen sense of humor Comprehends nuances Vivid imaginations Extensive vocabulary Concerned about social injustice Highly sensitive

Common Myths about Gifted Learners Gifted kids don’t need extra help, they will do just fine on their own “That student can’t be gifted, his grades are so poor” Gifted kids always complete their assignments Gifted kids don’t get into trouble…

… The reality is that gifted students may become disruptive, often finding ways of amusing themselves when not sufficiently challenged.

. . . Often gifted students are assumed to be more emotionally and behaviorally mature as a result of their intellectual ability.

CMSD's Major Work Program CMSD’s Major Work program is the longest running gifted program in the United States Started in 1921 at Denison Elementary School Today, Major Work services about 1,000 gifted students in grades 2-6 at 20 Cleveland schools

Two Major Work Programs Self-contained Gifted Classroom Gifted Pull-out Resource Room

Self-contained Gifted Classroom The self-contained gifted classroom is composed entirely of identified gifted students of the same age who remain together for all academic subjects. Five CMSD schools have self-contained classrooms.

Gifted Pull-out Resource Room The gifted pull-out resource room brings together gifted students of similar ages for about four periods each week. About 18 CMSD schools have gifted pull-out resource rooms.

Gifted Identification The Ohio Department of Education sets all criteria for gifted identification CMSD identifies gifted students in the following areas: Superior Cognitive Ability Reading Math Creative Thinking

Gifted Identification (continued) CMSD uses test scores from NWEA and CogAT Generally, a test score at or above the 95th percentile is required for gifted identification Ohio end-of-year tests are NOT used for gifted identification

Identification vs. Service Criteria for gifted identification is set by the ODE Criteria for gifted service is set by each individual school district Ohio law states that gifted students must be identified, but does NOT require gifted students to be serviced A student may be identified as gifted and NOT qualify or receive gifted service

CMSD’s Gifted Service Policy To qualify for CMSD gifted service a student must post two consecutive test scores on the NWEA, at or above the 95th percentile in reading, math, or on a nationally normed intelligence test.

CMSD’s Gifted Assignment Waiver Gifted students may be excused from assignments that were missed while attending gifted classes.

The Focus of the Gifted Classroom The gifted curriculum is both enriched and/or accelerated; it extends the Ohio Learning Standards with: Higher-level Thinking Abstract Thought Logical Reasoning Critical Thinking Problem Solving Creative Thinking

GREATER emphasis on LESSER emphasis on Higher-level thinking: analyze, evaluate and create Lower-level thinking: remember, understand, and apply Thematic and cross-curricular units Skill-based direct instruction  Enrichment projects  Worksheet homework Depth and complexity Basic skills

GREATER emphasis on LESSER emphasis on Teacher created units and lessons Publisher's materials and textbooks Enrichment Test preparation Logical reasoning and problem solving Computation, skill-based lessons Self-assessments and peer-assessments Teacher assessments Embracing ambiguity Seeking “correct answers”

GREATER emphasis on LESSER emphasis on Student offered choices One size fits all Reflection  Must keep moving forward Curricular acceleration through vertical tiering Curriculum tethered to grade level standards Big ideas, generalizations, theorizing “Smaller work": spelling, grammar, definitions ...

Major Work Program Features Shared Inquiry with Junior Great Books Independent Research Socratic Seminars Zaccaro’s Tiered Math Units Problem Solving Puzzles like In the Balance: Algebraic/Logical Reasoning Puzzles

First and foremost, always remember that…