K-1 LI/TD Prep Night __________________ Helping Teachers, Administrators, and Parents Identify Characteristics of Gifted/Talented Students FOSTERING GIFTED & TALENTED STUDENTS K-1 LI/TD Prep Night __________________ Irwin Academic Center http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5UyS1LfAk4&feature=related

Vision... to become a model of excellence in the education of gifted and talented students.

MISSION... to foster high academic achievement and the growth of creative & critical thinkers, lifelong learners, involved citizens and 21st century problem solvers by providing a nurturing, challenging, and innovative program that engages gifted and talented students, their families, and the community.

Irwin’s Magnet Themes or 3-5 Talent Development 3-5 Learning Immersion TD certified students receive differentiated educational services 3-5 Learning Immersion Students continue on an accelerated pace *Only K-2 non-certified Irwin students K-2 Learning Immersion or All K-2 students begin on this accelerated path

DEFINITON OF GIFTEDNESS: Federal Definition Students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services and activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities.

GIFTEDNESS:

The Gifted Program in CMS The goal of the Talent Development Program in CMS is to provide rigorous curriculum and academic opportunities so each student may reach a classroom performance level consistent with his/her intellectual ability. Learn More @ http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/ci/ astd/Pages/default.aspx

TD Certification Process: * ALL CMS second graders are assessed. CoGAT = 96% or > GATEWAY 1 CoGAT + ITBS = 93% or > avg percentile GATEWAY 2 Gifted Rating Scales AND CoGAT & ITBS = 87 - 92% avg percentile GATEWAY 3 GRS & CoGAT @ 92% or > OR TD Work Sample Portfolio *all Irwin 2nd graders complete GATEWAY 4

TD Certification Process CogAT = 96% or > GATEWAY 1 What is the CogAT? An aptitude test used to measure a student's ability to learn. These tests help teachers and parents predict how well a student is likely to do in school 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.

TD Certification Process CogAT = 96% or > GATEWAY 1 How can we prepare? Building Thinking Skills- Critical Thinking skills for reading, writing, math, science (Level 1 - Grades 2-3)   Building Thinking Skills Beginning Cognitive Abilities Test CogAT® Multilevel A Book (Grade 2*) Practice Test 1 (Form 6)

TD Certification Process GATEWAY 2 CoGAT + ITBS = 93% or > avg percentile What is the ITBS? The ITBS is an achievement test which measures how much students have already learned. These tests help measure current knowledge and skills. How can we prepare? It's a good idea to set aside some time regularly to review what your child is learning. Constant review will make sure your child is prepared when test time comes.

TD Certification Process Gifted Rating Scales AND CoGAT & ITBS = 87 - 92% avg percentile GATEWAY 3 What is the Gifted Rating Scale? Tool to help us gather information from the child’s first grade teacher at the end of first grade  Intellectual ability  Academic ability  Creativity  Artistic talent  Leadership ability  Motivation How can we prepare? Practice! Encourage your child to excel in each of the six areas. Communicate with your child’s teacher.

TD Certification Process GRS & CoGAT @ 92% or > OR TD Work Sample Portfolio *all Irwin 2nd graders complete GATEWAY 4 What is the portfolio? Second grade students complete five samples of work in second grade. Parents may submit a sixth piece completed at home Samples usually include (but are not limited to) advanced math, strongly creative writing with detailed drawings, and independent projects

Practicing and encouraging some of the following traits may help your child prepare for the portfolio process and overall success in life …

INTELLECTUAL ABILITY Uses advanced reasoning skills Has extensive and detailed memory Answers questions in detail Understands abstract ideas and complex concepts Applies prior knowledge to problem solving

INTELLECTUAL ABILITY: Portfolio Advanced Language Gifted students who demonstrate advanced language use advanced vocabulary and may be unusually descriptive. They often use figurative language rich in imagery. Prefixes, root words, & suffixes to enhance vocabulary Drawing first to help organize details and similes when writing Analytical Thinking Gifted students who demonstrate analytical thinking think logically and use problem solving strategies effectively. They analyze cause and effect, consequences, or alternative solutions and organize collections or ideas in unique ways. Logical reasoning practice Multi-step, algebraic problem solving

ACADEMIC ABILITY Completes academic work correctly/unassisted Contributes to academic discussions Has an inquisitive nature and asks relevant questions Demonstrates knowledge of facts in one or more academic areas Demonstrates knowledge about current events

ACADEMIC ABILITY : Portfolio Perseverance Gifted students who demonstrate perseverance show persistent intellectual curiosity and explore and experiment independently. Set high expectations and scaffold when necessary Tap into your child’s interests

Creative ability Has active imagination Brings inventive/innovative approach to problems Generates “what if” questions Experiments with ideas Constructs jokes, clever plays on words, ironic observations

Creative Ability: Portfolio Creativity Students who demonstrate strong creativity demonstrate original thinking and display an active imagination. Encourage play! Reflect and write about it with your child. Build with everyday objects to invent something new.

Artistic Talent Produces imaginative/original art Art performance/products marked by detail, complexity, richness Concentrates for long periods of time on artistic projects Expresses emotion in art Communicates effectively via artistic media

Artistic Talent: Portfolio Students who demonstrate a strong artistic talent use art forms to express ideas, emotions and knowledge effectively. They often put together materials in unusual but relevant ways. Encourage expression of feelings and emotions using art Add details and multiple colors to products Practice constructing art using a variety of materials in thoughtful ways

Leadership Ability Acts responsibly in social situations Has a cooperative attitude Is self-confident Is visionary – has a holistic view Can do backwards planning

Leadership Ability: Portfolio Gifted students who demonstrate strong leadership talents effectively organize people and tasks to achieve a common goal. Get involved with local organizations Journal about leadership experiences Discuss moral / ethical dilemmas together Study community leaders and make connections

MOTIVATION Shows pride in work Reacts to challenges enthusiastically Works tenaciously, not easily discouraged Strives to improve Attempts tasks above current skill level

MOTIVATION : Portfolio Gifted students who demonstrate motivation exhibit high levels of task commitment and energy when pursuing personal interests or issues atypical of age-mates. Allow students to explore a variety of interests Explore, draw, write about topics of interest Encourage children to think about unique topics and watch videos about / visit a variety of places

Gifted and talented students may exhibit positive and/or negative characteristics. “The extremely bright or the creative, curious, and questioning students, who may be stubborn, rule-breaking, egotistical or otherwise high in nuisance value, may not be the teachers’ favorites, but they sometimes are the most gifted.” ~ Gary Davies and Sylvia Rimm

Some Gifted Kids are – Restless, inattentive, disturb others Poor in spelling, careless in handwriting, inaccurate in Math because they are impatient with details requiring rote learning or drill. Lackadaisical in completing or handing in assignments and can be indifferent to classroom work when not interested. Can become too bossy and be unwilling to listen to the opinions of others.

Lack of Organizational Skills Share a sense of “Questionable” HUMOR: bizarre, absurd, cynical, or inappropriate

Frustrated with inability to master certain academic skills. Sometimes obsessed with specific interest area and nothing else. - often unusual interest - passionate sometimes fleeting Once they completely SATURATE their focus, they move on to something new. Frustrated with inability to master certain academic skills. (Perfectionism)

High Achievers: A high achiever would be a student who gets high marks and good grades. They do the work that is required and do it well. They tend to be well- organized, with good time-management skills, which is why they turn in neat and tidy work on time. They also tend to be well-behaved, adjusting well to the classroom environment and participating enthusiastically in classroom discussions.

Achieve Mastery in 1-2 Repetitions HIGH ACHIEVERS… Know the Answers Enjoy School Grasp Meaning Copy Accurately Have Good Ideas Absorb Information Achieve Mastery in 3-8 Repetitions GIFTED STUDENTS… Ask the questions Enjoy Learning Infer Create New Designs Have Unexpected Ideas Manipulate Information Achieve Mastery in 1-2 Repetitions

Teacher Pleasers: A Teacher Pleaser is a student who has and/or does all the nice, pleasing, helpful, and considerate things in class. This student works on grade level and/or works hard to achieve high grades in class. This student may score in the 90th percentile on achievement tests.

GIFTED STUDENTS… Has much factual information Teacher Pleaser… Knowledgeable Completes all work Writes well One of the first to respond Asks “safe” questions Time is important GIFTED STUDENTS… Has much factual information May not show neatness or order in work Anticipates outcomes May disagree with teacher or textbook answers May frequently respond in an elaborate manner May not want to stop working on a task

Now, A word from our experts …

You are your child’s most important teacher! Now What? A call to action! Psychologists say that the home environment can impact IQ by 15-35 points. Interested in creating a PLC? Attend Monthly Meetings to … discuss resources trouble shoot share strategies

Other Great Resources: Fostering Creativity in Gifted Students Creativity in the Classroom: Schools of Curious Delight Testing for Kindergarten: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Ace the Tests for Gifted Program Qualification Logic Puzzles http://www.logic-puzzles.org/ Gifted & Talented -World Reading Lists http://vcbconsulting.com/gtworld/gtbook.htm

There is no ONE indicator of giftedness. Gifted and talented children are found in expected AND unexpected places. However, it is important to always remember that…

The gifted child is a CHILD First! Thank you for coming!