Gifted and Talented Educational Services Ms. Marissa Griffin Blattner Gifted and Talented Specialist

State Definition of Gifted “Gifted and talented student” means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who: (1) exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; (2) possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or (3) excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code )

NISD Core Beliefs We believe that… kids come first. kids come first. continuous improvement is critical for success of the Northwest Independent School District. continuous improvement is critical for success of the Northwest Independent School District. the success of each student is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools and communities. the success of each student is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools and communities. environment influences learning. environment influences learning.

District Advanced Academics Mission Statement The Advanced Academics Department, in partnership with parents and community, will engage students in a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens. The Advanced Academics Department, in partnership with parents and community, will engage students in a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens. In the Northwest Independent School District, the Advanced Academics Department provides direction and leadership to K-12 advanced academics programs. The Advanced Academic services provide support for the multi-faceted gifted education programs which include: Gifted and Talented Program Education Services (GATES), Advanced Placement (AP), and Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) classes, UIL activities, Academic Decathlon, and Destination Imagination. In the Northwest Independent School District, the Advanced Academics Department provides direction and leadership to K-12 advanced academics programs. The Advanced Academic services provide support for the multi-faceted gifted education programs which include: Gifted and Talented Program Education Services (GATES), Advanced Placement (AP), and Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) classes, UIL activities, Academic Decathlon, and Destination Imagination. Advanced Academics Website:

GATES Vision The best and most sought-after advanced academics program in Texas where every student is future ready: Ready for College Ready for College Ready for the Global Workplace Ready for the Global Workplace Ready for Personal Success Ready for Personal Success

NISD Qualifications Minimum of 3 Criteria for Quantitative Data Minimum of 3 Criteria for Quantitative Data CogAT and/or Naglieri, and ITBS CogAT and/or Naglieri, and ITBS Minimum of 2 Criteria for Qualitative Data Minimum of 2 Criteria for Qualitative Data Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI), Gifted and Talented Education Scale, Slocumb/Payne, NISD Parent Checklist, student work samples Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI), Gifted and Talented Education Scale, Slocumb/Payne, NISD Parent Checklist, student work samples

State Goal for Services for Gifted/Talented Students: Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment…

GOAL STATEMENTS To provide differentiated educational services promoting critical and creative thinking skills. To provide differentiated educational services promoting critical and creative thinking skills. To engage students in an academically challenging and motivating program. To engage students in an academically challenging and motivating program.

GOAL STATEMENTS To identify and implement best practices in teaching gifted students. To identify and implement best practices in teaching gifted students. To support the needs of highly able students by providing training for teachers. To support the needs of highly able students by providing training for teachers.

District Curriculum Philosophy Statement At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified gifted students is based on the following six areas of emphasis: At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified gifted students is based on the following six areas of emphasis: Problem Solving Problem Solving Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Creative Thinking Research Skills Research Skills Independent Learning Independent Learning Communication Skills Communication Skills Revised August 2013

Problem Solving The student uses a variety of approaches to solve problems; develops thoughtful questions; plans, organizes, implements, evaluates, and presents solutions.

Critical Thinking The student demonstrates skills of complex thinking; sees relationships; examines facts and variables; makes deductions based on logical reasoning.

Creative Thinking The student uses divergent thinking; sees things in new and different ways. The student shows fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration in generating and presenting ideas.

Research Skills The student asks open-ended research questions and develops a plan for answering them; gathers information from relevant sources; clarifies research questions and evaluates/synthesizes collected information; purposefully organizes and presents ideas/conclusions.

Independent Learning The student organizes time and work; uses a variety of resources; sets high standards of quality; completes self- directed learning; develops innovative products and performances.

Communication Skills The student communicates effectively; listens actively; participates effectively in a group.

NISD GATES Progress Report Revised August 2013

Ongoing Lessons Throughout the Year Vocabulary Integration-(PSAT and SAT Prep! It is never too early!) Vocabulary Integration-(PSAT and SAT Prep! It is never too early!) 16 Habits of Mind/Scholarly Behaviors-The skills, behaviors and attitudes that effective learners use with dealing with new learning problems. 16 Habits of Mind/Scholarly Behaviors-The skills, behaviors and attitudes that effective learners use with dealing with new learning problems. 11 Depth and Complexity Icons -Going deeper into our thinking and questioning! 11 Depth and Complexity Icons -Going deeper into our thinking and questioning! Research and Writing Skills Research and Writing Skills Technology Integration-iPads and Netbooks, Raspberry Pi, Lego Robotix, etc. Technology Integration-iPads and Netbooks, Raspberry Pi, Lego Robotix, etc. Six Thinking Hats -Encourages thinking in colorful ways! Six Thinking Hats -Encourages thinking in colorful ways! Creative/Future Problem Solving Skills-We want our students to be future ready! Creative/Future Problem Solving Skills-We want our students to be future ready! Problem Based Learning and the Engineering Design Process-Real World Applications Problem Based Learning and the Engineering Design Process-Real World Applications Creative Thinking Skills-(FFOE-Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration) Creative Thinking Skills-(FFOE-Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Elaboration)

Kindergarten Fall (Sept.–Dec.) Fall (Sept.–Dec.) -Ongoing whole classroom weekly critical and creative thinking lessons, including lessons to screen for potential GT students Jan.-Feb. Jan.-Feb. -GT testing for nominated students Spring (March-May) Spring (March-May) -Critical and Creative thinking skills lessons for identified GT students

1 st and 2 nd Grade Stewardship in the Global World / Global Extremes with STEAM Over the course of two years, students and specialists will travel through the continents using the lens of various kinds of engineers to solve problems within those continents. By the end of second grade, students will work collaboratively to create a story about surviving in an extreme environment of their choice for a theatrical performance. Students will create an environmental set and props with specific requirements (extreme gear with simple machine elements) to aide in their survival for the performance.

3 rd Grade Natural and Man-Made Global Structures Over the course of the year, third grade students and specialists will identify and analyze structures in their world (manmade and natural). Structures include anything made to hold a load and to stay in place – buildings, bridges, roads, play structures, etc. They have a supporting framework, form (size and shape) and function (purpose). Students will engage in a hands-on, open-ended engineering design activities to deepen their understanding of strong and stable structures.

4th Grade Archaeology and Ancient Global Civilizations Students will develop an understanding of our past and the contributions made by ancient civilizations. They will explore how these contributions have shaped our world today and apply their knowledge to work as teams of engineers to design and create a “civilized” theme park.

5 th Grade Global Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship By the end of fifth grade, students will choose to work individually or collaboratively to create a marketable product designed to address a global issue with the potential to impact current and future civilizations. Students will research their chosen issue, design and test their invented solution, and develop a presentation aimed at marketing their product and appealing to investors. Emphasis on philanthropy and entrepreneurship is key. Unit includes a study on Da Vinci and The Passion Project.

Websites for Gifted Resources Visit my webpage for more…

Bottom line… We will make sure that gifted children’s needs are being addressed EVERY DAY. We will make sure that gifted children’s needs are being addressed EVERY DAY. We will make sure that appropriate lessons (differentiated, respectful tasks, tiered, compacted, engaging) are provided. We will make sure that appropriate lessons (differentiated, respectful tasks, tiered, compacted, engaging) are provided. We will challenge our gifted students with dignity and respect. We will challenge our gifted students with dignity and respect. We will honor and cherish their differences, from their classmates & from each other. We will honor and cherish their differences, from their classmates & from each other. We will NOT have a “One Size Fits All” program. We will NOT have a “One Size Fits All” program.

Other Opportunities Duke TIP-4 th and 5 th only Duke TIP-4 th and 5 th only Rising Stars Destination Imagination-K-2 nd Rising Stars Destination Imagination-K-2 nd Destination Imagination-3rd-5th Destination Imagination-3rd-5th UIL-2 nd -5 th UIL-2 nd -5 th Campus Clubs Campus Clubs Artistic Contests-PTA Reflections, NISD Holiday Greeting Card, Art Show Artistic Contests-PTA Reflections, NISD Holiday Greeting Card, Art Show District Events-Night of No Limits, TechnoExpo District Events-Night of No Limits, TechnoExpo Community/Summer Opportunities-Community link on NISD website Community/Summer Opportunities-Community link on NISD website

Questions, answers, concerns…

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