Gifted and Talented at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet Teia Hoover Baker Gifted and Talented Coordinator

Defining Gifted and Talented Texas defines the gifted and talented student as “a child or youth who performs at or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who: Exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; Possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or Excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code 29.121)

Houston ISD GT Screening Process Kindergarten (universal) Cognitive test of abilities (CogAT) Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) Grade 1 through 4, 7 and 8 Application CogAT ITBS scores from testing within 12 months Fifth Grade (universal) Iowa Test of Basic Skills Kindergarten and fifth grade screening takes place in early December Grades 1 through 4, 7 and 8 screening takes place in September, December and May.

CoGAT The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal.  HISD administers the Nonverbal battery only

Preparing your Scholar for CoGAT Teachers at Garden Oaks are preparing scholars for the CoGAT by using a Critical Thinking Skills workbook. Encourage your scholars to look for patterns, similarities and differences in everyday objects. Play games and do puzzles that require them to think critically Give them opportunities to solve problems and encourage them to “think outside the box” Practice books and online practice tests are available from a variety of sources.

Look at the shapes on top Look at the shapes on top. They are alike in some way and so they belong together. Choose one shape from the bottom row that belongs with the figures on top.

Iowa Test of Basic Skills The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is a nationally normed achievement test. The ITBS measures basic skills that range from facts and conventions through higher-order skills, not just minimum skills. Since The Iowa Tests were conceived nearly sixty years ago, the authors have consistently defined "basic skills" as a wide range of skills including applying information, making inferences, evaluating, explaining, and other higher- order skills.

Iowa Test of Basic Skills The best preparation for taking any achievement test is concentrated effort related to classroom activities, completion of homework, engaging in activities beyond assigned homework, and undertaking a wide variety of projects which will improve the depth and breadth of a student's knowledge. As with the CoGAT, there are test prep books and online tools for preparing scholars for the ITBS.

Qualifying for GT In HISD, GT education is referred to as Vanguard. The components required for qualification for GT include: Score on CoGAT Scores on ITBS Grades Teacher recommendation Some scholars may also earn up to 8 points for obstacles which might put them at a disadvantage for qualifying.

Qualifying for GT Scholars must requalify in fifth grade to continue to participate in middle school Vanguard Parents may request that their child be assessed for eligibility in grades one through four Once qualified, scholars must maintain passing grades, test scores and participate appropriately in the school community (on time arrival to school, attendance and behavior).

GT in the Montessori Classroom

GT and Montessori Montessori environments are ideal for scholars with learning differences, especially gifted and talented scholars. Montessori supports GT scholars in the following ways: Multi-age classrooms Individual work plans Flexible grouping Accelerated work

GT and Montessori Stable classroom assignments for the three-year cycle Curriculum compacting Supportive, nurturing classroom environments Emphasis on research and inquiry based learning Inter-disciplinary studies

GT and Montessori Cooperative learning Independent studies and extensions Heterogeneous groups in class to support real-world applications, social skills and various abilities Inter-disciplinary studies Independent studies All classroom teachers are GT certified

Polaris Club Polaris Club is an optional enrichment program designed to provide GT students the opportunity to work with scholars from other classes. During Polaris Club scholars Work with Mrs. Baker (Kindergarten through third), Mr. Walters (fourth through sixth) weekly Projects GT Expo