Welcome to… The Middle School Gifted & Talented Education Program Spring Parent Orientation Melissa Shindel- Principal Philip Herdman- GT Resource Teacher

Agenda Overview of Middle School G/T Education Program Overview of Middle School G/T Education Program Selection/Placement Procedures Selection/Placement Procedures Questions Questions

5 th Grade Test Scores Returned Which classes to choose? What if my child did not test in to a class they are interested in?

Gifted & Talented Education Program Mission The Gifted and Talented Education Program seeks to recognize and develop talents in advanced-level learners while supporting the Clarksville vision of career and college readiness.

Gifted & Talented Education Program Goals Accelerate the achievement and performance levels of students who participate in G/T Education Program offerings Increase successful participation of underrepresented populations of students in G/T Education Program offerings Build a community of G/T Education Program advocates.

Middle School G/T Education Program Components: An Overview The School-wide Enrichment Program G/T Classes and Curricular Extensions Extended Day/Year Programs

THE SCHOOLWIDE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM I II III Exploratory Experiences Exploratory Experiences G/T Instructional Seminars G/T Classes and Curricular Extensions G/T Instructional Seminars G/T Classes and Curricular Extensions G/T Research Investigations & Creative Productions G/T Research Investigations & Creative Productions Student as Consumer Student as Producer

TYPE II: Instructional Seminars Why? Why? To work with G/T Resource Teacher to extend student interests and develop advanced- level skills Who? Who? Interested students who are committed to in- depth study How? How? Submit an interest form. What? What? Take a look at some examples… II

Television Production Student led and produced daily television show that simulates a professional broadcast

Middle School Book Club A Book Club organized and led by advanced-level readers who enjoy participating in thought- provoking literary discussions Students meet monthly to discuss books.

Debate Students engage in meaningful, persuasive discourse about contemporary issues, thereby strengthening their leadership, critical thinking, and presentation skills.

Additional Sample Seminars Journalism Programming Green School Math Olympiad Film Engineering Memory Book Writer’s Guild Robotics

How to join a seminar 1.Complete an interest form. 2. Participate in an interview with the G/T Resource Teacher.

G/T Content Area Classes Mathematics English Social Studies Science

GT English An accelerated and enriched curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore complex literary works and create compositions of advanced style, tone, and form. Students are expected to create analytical works of expository argument writing independently

G/T Social Studies An enriched and accelerated curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore civic and cultural principles and engage in inquiries that focus on essential, related questions. 6 – G/T Geography and World Cultures ▫ Students begin to study primary and secondary sources 7 – G/T Geography and World Cultures ▫ G/T Inquiry to help prepare students for History Day 8 – G/T U.S. History through the Reconstruction

History Day A national competition where students work individually or in groups to conduct historical research on an annual theme. ▫ Develop a thesis from the analysis of primary and secondary resources. ▫ Receive constructive feedback from history and social studies professionals. G/T Social Studies Extension

G/T Science An enriched and accelerated curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore scientific principles and engage in ongoing original scientific research using an experimental design. Science 6 G/T (Earth & Space Science focus) Science 7 G/T (Biological focus) ▫ beginning of 2-year science project Science 8 G/T (Physics & Chemistry focus) ▫ culmination of 2-year project

G/T Mathematics An accelerated and enriched sequence that follows a curriculum at least two years above the general education curriculum. Names will change based on development of the Common Core curriculum 6 - Pre-Algebra G/T (Common Core #) 7 – Algebra I/Data Analysis G/T (Common core #) 8 - Geometry G/T (Common Core #)

High School Math Sequence with Common Core 8th

TYPE III: Research Investigations & Creative Productions Why? Why? To emulate research tools and methodologies of professionals by investigating real world problems and presenting to authentic audiences Who? Who? Available to any interested student What? What? Publication of book, scientific discovery, historical reenactment, instigation of legislation, original musical/dramatic production… III

G/T Research Class Student must be enrolled in G/T Math & G/T English concurrently Students will work on 2 projects First half of the year is a secondary STEM based research project Second half of the year is a primary research investigation There is no homework Students are expected to create a page secondary project for the first half of the year

Selection and Placement Procedures for G/T Classes Nomination ▫ by parent, teacher, or student ▫ based upon achievement test scores or student performance ▫ Placement Review Procedures - multiple criteria examined- Placement Reviews will occur once a year in October Testing ( SCAT Ability Testing - 9th grade norms )

Parent Resources GT Website: Parent Academy Meetings National Association for Gifted Children National Research Center on Gifted and Talented:

Should my child enroll….. How do I know how many classes to sign them up for? Should they sign-up for all or just a couple? What if my child is in band/orchestra? What if my child is involved in many different after school sports and activities?

What if my child is struggling in a specific class?

CMSGT.HCPSS.WIKISPACES.ORG

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