1. Working to challenge and create

3. What does GIFTED look like in middle school? Challenging texts Metacognition (thinking about their thinking) Focus on social/emotional needs Greater depth and complexity Flexibility Advanced reading strategies Less drill More critical and creative thinking skills Certified Gifted Specialist with training to meet the needs of Gifted Students

4. What goes on in class? Guided reading Creative writing and problem solving Argumentative and analytical writing Research-based interdisciplinary projects Rich discussions Interactive lessons Hands-on learning

5. Higher Order Thinking Skills Gifted Literature Classes ask students to go beyond the “regurgitation” of facts. Students learn to explain their thinking to analyze and evaluate.

6. Higher Order Thinking We go far beyond mere reading comprehension. Students analyze, synthesize, and evaluate. Students will do at least one research project. The research project will give students the opportunity to investigate a topic of their choice. Many units are interdisciplinary and allow students to dig deeper and make new connections.

7. Benefits: Ability to attend classes with their intellectual peers Ability to develop an awareness and appreciation for their gifts Teachers who enrich or extend learning Teachers who recognize and address their unique abilities and social- emotional needs

8. College and Career Readiness Standards Like all seventh graders, gifted students are taught according to the state- adopted curriculum, which sets the goals and objectives for students to master.

9. A good teacher is like a coach… Always asking the student to Stretch, Try something new and different, Try to do it better, Faster, More accurately, In greater detail, More creatively, And to add polish.

10. Working outside their comfort zones… May be harder for the gifted than for others Is often a little uncomfortable Is sometimes a little frustrating Is sometimes very uncertain That’s the purpose of having GRC classes.

11. Coming attractions for the year… Internet-based research projects Student multimedia presentations Literature Circles Socratic Circles Literary analysis with an emphasis on citing textual evidence Challenging reading material (both fiction & nonfiction) Creative, hands-on learning Collaboration with groups Creative problem-solving Dramatization of scenes from plays or from reading Move through grammar skills at a faster pace Focus on applying grammar through reading & writing SAT college entrance exam vocabulary study

12. What you can do to help… Let us know about concerns that you would like us to address, especially social/emotional needs. Share your expertise regarding your child. Consider keeping track of homework assignments via your student’s agenda and the class blog. Encourage your child to visit our classrooms for individual help in the mornings before school or during the 8 th period advisory period.

13. Reading is a MUST! “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” – Confucius “We read to know we are not alone.” – C.S. Lewis “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read.” – Mark Twain

14. Gifted Education Plan Concepts – big ideas, topics Essential Understandings – important things to know Guiding Questions – what we ask to get us to what we know

15. Concept Based Learning Content fits within the context of a bigger idea or concept. Students will learn to generalize what they learn to other settings or content areas. Learning occurs as students construct knowledge using guiding questions and as they apply knowledge to other areas of study through essential understandings.

16. CONCEPT for 7 th Grade GRC DECISIONS AND CONSEQUENCES Shape Identity and Create Perseverance

17. Essential Questions… How do life’s consequences influence the development of a person’s identity? How is a person’s identity shaped by culture and circumstances? How does identity determine the quality of a person’s character? Who should be our role models?

18. Essential Understandings… Knowing and accepting our identity helps us have self-respect. Our decisions reflect our identity and our character. Identity can change over time. Showing respect can have a ripple effect.

19. 2 nd semester Essential Questions How do habits of perseverance affect our decisions? How does perseverance demonstrate commitment and a positive attitude? What struggles do we face when we attempt to persevere? What are the rewards of perseverance?

20. 2 nd Semester Essential Understandings… Essential Understandings: Personal rewards come by persevering through adversity and hardship. Making decisions requires living with the consequences. Perseverance means making sacrifices.

21. FAQ How is my child assessed? Formal assessment consists primarily of class work grades, homework grades, quizzes, projects, unit tests, and benchmark exams. Students may use their notes for our Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) quizzes and Power Word quizzes. How can I contact you? Email us at mlaseter@shelbyed.k12.al.us or at dcline@shelbyed.k12.al.us. What if English is not my child’s greatest “gift”? This class is not simply an advanced or honors English class, and while the class might be somewhat challenging, we want to use English Language Arts as a point of departure for the higher order thinking skills that are useful in all subject areas. It is also a setting for nurturing the gifted students social/emotional needs.

22. Thank you for coming! Please sign the GEP in the lower left corner and date your signature. Put your child’s FULL LEGAL NAME Keep one copy of the GEP for your records.