Kelly Nelson SPED 5030 Fall 2011 Choice Module

Professional Development: Gifted and Talented Programs and Supports

On your note-catcher answer the following questions: 1. What is your definition of a ‘gifted and talented’ student? 2. Based on this definition, which students in your classroom are gifted? 3. What are you currently doing to support your gifted students?

1. Definition of Gifted and Talented 2. Key ideas/concepts surround Gifted and Talented Programs 3. Connections to Newlon Elementary 4. Specific Actions for our teaching to support Gifted Students

Teachers will acquire a common definition of a ‘Gifted and Talented’ student and learn the latest research on GT programs and supports Teachers will receive resources to find more information on GT programs and supports Teachers will develop action steps to support the Gifted and Talented students in their classrooms

1. Definition of Gifted and Talented 2. Key ideas/concepts surround Gifted and Talented Programs 3. Connections to Newlon Elementary 4. Specific Actions for our teaching to support Gifted Students

* A classification for white, middle/upper class males * A classification used to exclusively refer to children with high IQs * Does not include students with disabilities * A label we can give to all students * Not dependent on ethnicity; equally found in both males and females; from all socioeconomic levels * Students who are highly capable in one of more areas. Students classified as GT may have more than one area of giftedness * Called “twice exceptional” for students with disabilities * A label for students who possess an advanced capacity to learn and require modifications to the regular curriculum

* "Gifted and talented children" means those persons between the ages of five and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness: -General or specific intellectual ability. -Specific academic aptitude. -Creative or productive thinking. -Leadership abilities. -Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities. -Mission and Vision Taken from Colorado Department of Education Website:

THE BOTTOM LINE: * A student’s area of giftedness comes from strengths that makes the student exceptional when compared with her/his peers * It is important to be specific about a student’s area of giftedness as to best serve that student’s exceptional needs * Areas of giftedness can be intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership capacity, or specific academic fields * Instruction to Gifted Students is first and foremost about giving students the unique, individualized instruction they need and deserve to help them succeed.

1. Definition of Gifted and Talented 2. Key ideas/concepts surround Gifted and Talented Programs 3. Connections to Newlon Elementary 4. Specific Actions for our teaching to support Gifted Students

* Collect all information about about abilities of student ASAP: IQ tests, Grades, Achievement Tests * View the following video on the identification of GT students: tle=Gifted_and_Talented

* This quote taken from Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska (College of William and Mary) demonstrates the approach we should take on identifying GT students: Reactions to Dr. VanTassel-Baska’s ideas??

* School screening is low-funded and often administered in large group * Individual testing centers are available where students receive a professional evaluation * There are testing centers here in Denver such as the Gifted Development Center run by Dr. Linda Silverman (see more information on Resources slide) BOTTOM LINE: Look beyond simple IQ tests and consider the whole child, with specific regards to creativity and multiple intelligences.

1. Definition of Gifted and Talented 2. Key ideas/concepts surround Gifted and Talented Programs 3. Connections to Newlon Elementary 4. Specific Actions for our teaching to support Gifted Students

* Advanced Learning Plans (ALP):Every student who is currently identified has an ALP to ensure that their unique learning needs are being met. These are creating together with the students, parents, teachers, and GT teacher. Together they identify the students areas of strengths and set goals for the student for that school year. * G/T Teacher Erin Cranmer: Our 0.75 GT Specialist works with our currently identified students in their area of talent to do pull out programming in her classroom. She is also very helpful at working with teachers to create enrichment activities and help facilitate alternative projects that students can complete in the classroom.

* Advanced Learning Plans: These unique plans with students need to be communicated and understood by families. * Create unique learning projects that students can work on at home with families. This work can be done with Erin Cranmer. * Parents know their children best. Parents can be excellent resources for helping us identify G/T students. * Refer parents to testing centers or our school GT Teacher to get more information on assessment

1. Definition of Gifted and Talented 2. Key ideas/concepts surround Gifted and Talented Programs 3. Connections to Newlon Elementary 4. Specific Actions for our teaching to support Gifted Students

* Nobody believes in action anymore, so words have become a substitute for action, all the way to the top, a substitute for the truth nobody wants to hear because they can’t change it, or they’ll lose their jobs if they change it, or maybe they simply don’t know how to change it. ---John Le Carré, The Russia House

* Become a member of a GT society to show your support for GT programs: -National Society for Gifted and Talented -National Association for Gifted Children -Colorado Association for Gifted Children * Attend a professional development on GT support: -Beyond Giftedness XIX Conference, February 24, 2012 in Arvada * Talk with Erin Cranmer if you think you may have a G/T Student that is not identified * Differentiate your curriculum to create unique learning experiences for your students: enrichment, independent studies, alternative assignments. (Don’t reinvent the wheel! There are strategies where you teach students the same standards in unique and enriching ways!)

* National Organizations: National Association for Gifted Children- National Society for the Gifted and Talented- * Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented: * Gifted Development Center: A Service of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development 1452 Marion Street Denver, Colorado (

On your note-catcher answer the following questions: 1. How has your definition of a ‘gifted and talented’ student changed over the last hour? 1. What action step will you take in your classroom to support your GT students? 1. What is one resource you will look into further to develop your practice?

Colorado Department of Education: Gifted and Talented Education. ( Gargiulo, R. (2012). Special Education in Contemporary Society. Los Angeles, CA: Sage. – Pages selected chapter on gifted & talented Silverman, L. (2007). What is giftedness? The Boulder Parent, p. 50. Teacher tube video on identification of students who are gifted & talented ( Gifted_and_Talented) Teacher tube video on identification of students who are gifted & talentedhttp:// Gifted_and_Talented VanTassel-Baska, J. (2000). The on-going dilemma of effective identification process in gifted education. In The Communicator vol. 31.