1. High Achiever  Asks the questions  Has wild silly ideas  Is beyond the group  Already knows  Constructs abstractions  Draws inferences  Enjoys learning  Highly self-critical  Good guesser  Manipulates information  Initiates projects  Creates a new design  Plays around, yet tests well  Is highly curious  Is keenly observant  Is an inventor Gifted Learner  Knows the answer  Has good ideas  Is in the top group  Learns with ease  Understands ideas  Grasps the meaning  Enjoys school  Pleased with own learning  Good memorizer  Absorbs information  Completes assignments  Copies accurately  Works hard  Is interested  Is alert  Is a technician Adapted from Szabo, J.: Challenge Magazine, 1989 Characteristics

2. FAIRFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Middle School Gifted and Talented Program

3. The Four Components For all components: Students will be pulled from a variety of classes, so they will not to miss too much instructional time from one class. Gifted instructors will work with students at lunchtime or during SSR when possible. Students are responsible to make up all work missed from their regular classes. Students participate in the offerings as frequently or seldom as they choose. 1. Inquiry Workshops 2. Independent Study 3. Academic Challenges 4. 8 th Grade Spring Seminar

4. Inquiry Workshops One week workshops offered in science, technology, and the humanities. Students will choose ONE of the three offerings. Students are pulled from different classes on each day of the workshop week. Students are responsible to make up all class work. Grade 6 – November Grade 7 – February Grade 8 – October

5. Independent Study Students will select a topic, conduct research, and present their findings using a TED Talk format. TED Talks (Technology, Entertainment and Design) are devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. Students will be pulled from various classes to meet with the gifted instructor on their work in progress. Students will primarily work on their independent study project at home. Grades 6, 7, 8 – February & March

6. Academic Challenges Throughout the year students will be offered opportunities to participate in various academic challenges, such as NaNoWriMo, The Hour of Code, and Connecticut History Day. Grade level, time commitment, and guidelines vary according to the specific challenge. Students will be informed of challenges via the gifted instructor and emails to the parent/guardian. Participation in each challenge is voluntary.

7. Eighth-Grade Spring Seminar A district-wide seminar is offered to 8 th grade gifted and talented students. This seminar takes place during one school day in the month of May. Students will come together from each of the middle schools to collaborate on a variety of learning challenges. Past seminars included guest speakers and a museum workshop experience.

8. Classroom Support Gifted Resource Teachers will offer support to the regular classroom teachers in developing resources and instructional strategies that challenge our gifted learners

9. Our primary communication will be through email. Please be sure your email is current in Infinite Campus. We also have a Gifted & Talented webpage with resources and links to learning opportunities: http://www.fpsenrichment.weebly.com Maggie Formato FWMS Room B112 Mformato@fairfieldschools.org Lisa Friedrichs RLMS Room 289 lfriedrichs@fairfieldschools.org Katie Peterson TMS Room 104 lfriedrichs@fairfieldschools.org

10. Thank you for joining us this evening. We look forward to working with your children and offering them enrichment opportunities throughout the year!