G.A.T.E.S. Gifted and Talented Educational Services

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. N.I.S.D. Core Beliefs

N.I.S.D. Vision Statement The best and most sought-after school district where every student is future ready: -Ready for college -Ready for the global workplace -Ready for personal success

Advanced Academics Vision Statement "The best and most sought after Advanced Academics Program in Texas!"

District Advanced Academics Mission Statement The Advanced Academics Department, in partnership with parents and community, will provide students a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens.

District Curriculum Philosophy Statement: The curriculum shall develop students abilities to think critically, to communicate effectively, to reason, to solve problems, to value diversity, to seek alternatives, and to learn ways to find answers to questions.

Defining Giftedness There are many definitions of the gifted. The federal definition has transformed over the years. The most recent definition that appears in the No Child Left Behind Act states: “The term 'gifted and talented', when used with respect to students, children, or youth, means 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 or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities.” (Section 9101(22)) (Page 544)

At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified elementary gifted students is based on these 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

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

Critical Thinking 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

GATES Program Service your GT children will be provided as a weekly pull out program Service your GT children will be provided as a weekly pull out program Minimum standard per week and Conceptual Lens/Units of Study: Minimum standard per week and Conceptual Lens/Units of Study: K – 60 min Wonders K – 60 min Wonders 1 – 60 min Our World 1 – 60 min Our World 2 – 90 min Processes 2 – 90 min Processes 3 – 120 min Structures 3 – 120 min Structures 4 – 150 min Change 4 – 150 min Change 5 – 150 min Trends 5 – 150 min Trends

Ongoing Lessons Throughout the Year 16 Habits of Mind and Scholarly Behaviors 16 Habits of Mind and Scholarly Behaviors Creative and Future Problem Solving Creative and Future Problem Solving Problem Based Learning Problem Based Learning Engineering Design Process Engineering Design Process Depth and Complexity- Digging deeper into our learning Depth and Complexity- Digging deeper into our learning Research and Writing Skills Research and Writing Skills Technology Integration Technology Integration Understanding Multiple Intelligences Understanding Multiple Intelligences Six Hats Thinking Six Hats Thinking Red Hot Root Words Red Hot Root Words Weighty Words Weighty Words

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 1st Grade Good Stewards: Caring for the World Around Us First grade students will focus on how living things depend on other living things and their non-living surroundings in order to survive. Emphasis will be placed on how we can make an impact and take care of the world around us. First grade students will focus on how living things depend on other living things and their non-living surroundings in order to survive. Emphasis will be placed on how we can make an impact and take care of the world around us.

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 2nd Grade Research and Reasoning Students will learn more about themselves and others as they become engaged in researching how different careers, like detectives use deductive reasoning skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills to solve problems.

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 3rd Grade Engineering is Elementary Engineering is Elementary Students will examine structures. These include bridges, tunnels, domes, skyscrapers, houses, famous buildings, and even windmills. They will explore ways in which engineers use their knowledge to ensure a structure will be a success. Students will design, build, and test structures using their problem solving skills to find the best solution.

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 4th Grade How Today Impacts Tomorrow- Archaeology Students will develop an understanding of our past and the contributions made by our ancestors. They will explore how these contributions have shaped our world today. They will also have an opportunity to look ahead to the future and explain what they believe future generations will think and learn about our lives today. Students will conduct in-depth research and will create their own archaeological dig.

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 5th Grade Future Trends Fifth grade students will focus on Future Problem Solving. Various activities will give students the opportunity to identify significant problems and develop new, innovative solutions. These problems will include, for example, climate change and areas of overpopulation. Continuing to focus on the future, students will design and create a “smart clothes” product with an emphasis on improving life today. The next step will be for students to create their own business where they will sell their new product.

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, tiered, compacted, engaging, respectful tasks) are provided. We will make sure that appropriate lessons (differentiated, tiered, compacted, engaging, respectful tasks) are provided. We will challenge our gifted students with care, dignity and respect. We will challenge our gifted students with care, 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 Learning Opportunities Duke Talent Identification Program-(A letter will be sent home with 4 th and 5 th graders in late January/early February.) Duke Talent Identification Program-(A letter will be sent home with 4 th and 5 th graders in late January/early February.) Destination Imagination-(Registration is required and is led my parent team managers. For grades 2-5 only.) Destination Imagination-(Registration is required and is led my parent team managers. For grades 2-5 only.) UIL-(Tryouts are held later in the year for grades 3-5.) UIL-(Tryouts are held later in the year for grades 3-5.) SPOT Time (Students Performing On Target)- A before school program that offers learning opportunities such as Math Olympiad, Word Masters Challenge, and Lego Robotics (Space and grade levels may be limited, and applications may be required.) SPOT Time (Students Performing On Target)- A before school program that offers learning opportunities such as Math Olympiad, Word Masters Challenge, and Lego Robotics (Space and grade levels may be limited, and applications may be required.) Before/After School Clubs-Be sure to check the school website for invites to participate in school sponsored clubs such as Student Council, Leadership Club and the Garden Green Team Club. Before/After School Clubs-Be sure to check the school website for invites to participate in school sponsored clubs such as Student Council, Leadership Club and the Garden Green Team Club.

Websites for Gifted Resources racteristics.htm racteristics.htm

Questions, answers, concerns…

Thank you so much for your valuable time! Revised Sept. 2012