GIFTED and TALENTED A middle school perspective…. A high school perspective…. AN ARRAY OF SERVICES

Areas of Giftedness General aptitude - intellectual or academic giftedness (GT classes) Creativity & visual or performing arts teacher referral only Leadership teacher referral only Psychomotor abilities (athletics, dance) teacher referral only

Elements of Depth …… Taught in all classes: Language of the Discipline Details Trends Rules Big Ideas Patterns Ethics Unanswered questions in discipline

….and Complexity Different Points of View; multiple perspectives on issues Across disciplines (integrated studies) Over time; historic and projected into future GT classes spend majority of time on complexity

MS & HS Classes Types of classes offered: - PreAP - Advanced Placement (AP) at the high school - Electives GT sections of both PreAP & AP - students are identified in specific areas of strength

GT classes Use same curriculum as PreAP & AP corresponding classes with modifications for complexity Student transcripts will indicate enrollment in GT classes GT classes are not weighted more heavily than corresponding Pre-AP or AP classes. ……….why take them?

Why take GT classes? Quicker pace (more time for discussion, extensions and enrichment) – curriculum is compacted Repetition avoided (part of other class instruction) opportunity to discuss in Socratic forum and debate critical issues in the discipline

Why take GT classes? Reading – challenging and complex Majority of instruction spent on complexity: Connections across disciplines Points of view Over time

Why take GT classes? We want them to be challenged…… ………while supports are in place to help them develop resilience and persistence. Gifted students are at-risk. They WILL “hit the wall”.

GT - MIDDLE SCHOOL Students in 5 th grade GT Integrated Studies: GT English and GT Social Studies/History Students in 5 th grade GT Math: GT Math and GT Science unless otherwise requested

MIDDLE SCHOOL GT Math Grades 6 – 8; accelerated 6 th grade: 6 th – 8 th TEKS / Pre- Algebra 7 th grade: Algebra 1 (high school credit) 8 th grade: Geometry (high school credit) Classes are for students gifted in mathematics. 4 maths still needed in high school.

GT – HIGH SCHOOL GT Math: 9 th – PreAP Algebra II 10 th – PreAP PreCalculus 11 th & 12 th – AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC, AP Statistics Dual Credit for more advanced maths

GT – HIGH SCHOOL GT Math: for those not accelerated in middle school 9 th grade option: Concurrent enrollment in Geometry & Algebra II

GT – HIGH SCHOOL 9 th grade – Leadership* 11 th & 12 th – Advanced Studies in Leadership *Top 10 students attend a seminar Posey Leadership Institute, Austin College (teacher nomination)

Independent Studies Grades 7 – 12 Level One - Investigatory Level Two - IS/Mentor defined investigation and a proposed end product students evaluated on: –quality of product, –the process used, and –final presentation Texas Performance Standards Projects

Senior Project Independent Study required for all: Topics – student choice (with approval by SP committee) Research paper (completed in English class) Presentation before panel of judges

Independent Studies Creatively gifted (teacher referral) served through Independent Studies in: Visual Arts Performing Arts Gifted in Technology – served through Independent Studies Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre Jazz Band, Honors Band, Symphonic Band Studio Dance, Technical Dance

ELECTIVES - Sampling Technology – Gateway to Technology, (8 th grade) pre-engineering, robotics highly recommended for mathematically gifted (girls!) Project Lead the Way Computer Sciences

High School ELECTIVES Academic Competition class: (new) Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial QuizBowl, UIL, etc. Wide range of electives in visual & performing arts, languages other than English (LOTE), sports, and career & technology (CATE)

Contact Information Jan DeLisle, GT Coordinator c/o Lovejoy High School 2350 Estates Parkway Lucas, TX