1. Middle School Talent Development Program

2. Sedgefield Middle School
DEP Meeting
October 23, 2018
“Soaring to Excellence”

3. Who is Gifted?
Gifted and talented children are those identified by professional qualified persons who, by outstanding abilities, are capable of high performance. Theses are children who require differentiated educational programs and/or beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their contribution to self and society.

4. Characteristics of Gifted
A Gifted Child:
Questions Critically
Memorizes easily
Transfers learning to new situations
Learns rapidly and easily
Does some academic work two years in advance
Solves problems and processes ideas
Uses large words easily and accurately
Visualize mentally
Often asked by peers for ideas
Understands reasons for change
Is a good listener
May have long attention span

5. DEPs – Differentiated Education Plan
The Differentiated Education Plan (DEP) is the document which outlines the program service options (s) appropriate for a student at specific grade configurations, and lists the learning environment, content modifications and special programs available to the student during those grade configurations. A DEP should be completed for each student during each of the four educational phases (K-3,3-5,6-8, 9-12).

6. Differentiated Education Plan

7. Mission To provide appropriate intellectual opportunities that
help gifted students realize their
potential and connect them with
their complex world.

8. Goal To support the development of a content-rich educational process
throughout CMS which provides
opportunities and resources for
learners to……

9. Attain levels of academic achievement consistent with their abilities
Engage in abstract, creative, and affective reasoning
Apply insightful questioning
Develop a capacity to see interconnections among disciplines
Practice self-directed learning and independent problem solving
Strive for self actualization

10. Difference Between Elementary and Middle School TD Programs
Elementary School has a Catalyst Model – this is when a teacher will come into the room or do pull out and provide additional support and resources.
Middle School Model has an Cluster Group Model- Students with similar ability are placed in classes.

11. The Academic Facilitator’s Role
To design differentiated curriculum and supportive learning activities for use by classroom teachers
To model/demonstrate best practices in gifted education
To lead on-site professional development activities in gifted education and other instructional areas
To assist teachers in planning instruction that will meet the needs of the gifted learner

12. Honor Courses
For students who need to be advanced in their learning, which will require curriculum beyond grade level
Honor courses are offered in Language Arts and Mathematics
Science and Social Studies are differentiated within the classroom

13. What is differentiation?
“A differentiated learning experience occurs when educators modify the regular curriculum setting and select instructional practices that reflect students’ readiness for learning. This ‘readiness’ includes ability levels, achievement levels, interests, and learning preferences.”
~ Mary Landrum~
Educational Consultant

14. Without differentiation everyone…
Moves at the same pace
Completes the same assignments
Is evaluated the same way

15. Collaborators Classroom Teacher Academic Facilitator
Content Specialists
Administrators
Counselors
Other members of the school’s teaching staff who contribute to the academic progress of gifted learners

16. What is the Curriculum?
The North Carolina Standard Course of Study and more….

17. Desired Outcomes
Curriculum studied in greater depth through more challenging lessons and differentiated activities
Curriculum accelerated to include above-grade level material when appropriate
Advanced pace of learning

18. What do gifted services look like?
Math
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies

19. Mathematics
The following standards are repeated each year in grades 6-8. However, the level of difficulty and application increase each year.
This is based on the Common Core.
Number and Operation
Measurement
Geometry
Data Analysis an Probability
Algebra

20. Overall Goal
To prepare students for higher level math courses at the high school level such as Advanced Placement.

21. Social Studies Rationale for Differentiation at the Middle Grades:
There are 7 AP social studies courses in high school.
Each requires students to read, write, analyze information, and access prior knowledge.
There is increasing enrollment in AP courses.
AP U.S. History is often the first AP course a student tries.
Success in this course can spark future success.

22. Objectives of the Differentiated Social Studies Design
Pre-AP Skill Building
Improve reading and writing skills
Enhance higher order thinking skills
Promote analytical thinking skills
Expose students to rich, rigorous, and relevant primary source documents and other resources
Build confidence within the student

23. What might you see in a Social Studies classroom?
Brain-based learning activities designed for the 60 minute block – AVID Strategies
Cooperative learning – various styles
Shared inquiry/Socratic seminars
Graphic organizers
Role-play and panel discussions
Debating the issues
Video clips with viewing guides and discussions
Document Based Questions

24. Available Resources Ancillary textbooks Model lessons for N.C. topics
Visual discovery
Interactive notebooks
Skill builders
Small group discussions
Discovery Ed

25. Science Differentiation and Inquiry Critical Thinking for the Gifted
Focus On:
Differentiation and Inquiry
Critical Thinking for the Gifted

26. Overall Goal
To design your own inquiry lab based on a scientific question

27. What you will see in Science classrooms
Interactive Notebooks
Hands-On Labs
Science Fair
Problem-Based Learning
3-D Printers
Discovery Ed
AVID Strategies

28. What’s to come? Sedgefield is building programs in :
Science Olympiad (grades 6-8)

29. Language Arts
Concept Driven

30. What might you see in a Language Arts classroom?
Higher Level Thinking Skills
Problem Based Learning
Open Ended Questioning
Novel Studies
AVID Strategies
Socratic Seminar
Philosophical Chairs

31. Language Arts Classes…
Mini-Projects
Authentic Tasks
Application of knowledge in new settings
William and Mary Materials
Advanced Curriculum –Vanderbilt University Programs for Talented Youth

32. You might also see… Cooperative Learning Investigations Inquiry
Seminar discussion
Visual representations of ideas
Interdisciplinary work
Evaluation

33. Overall Goal
To build higher level literacy strategies that will build success in all subject areas.

34. Ultimate Goal
Increased participation in high school Advanced Placement.

35. Everyone works collaboratively to meet the needs of gifted learners.
Middle School Program

36. Testing
End of Grade Testing in Reading and Math for grades 3-8 Testing will be online.
EOC testing in Science (8th) and Math 1 (8th).
MAP (Reading/Math test) three times a year. This test measures grade level ability.
Sedgefield’s Content Unit tests and quizzes (Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies)

37. Hints/Ideas for Parents
Teach self- discipline and independence by assigning responsibilities and insisting they are completed.
Have a great deal of material available to your child, by not necessarily “store bought” material.
Let your child enjoy and experience art and music.
Share an interest in reading to help him/her appreciate and enjoy a variety of books.
Try to improve your child’s sense of taste in mass media, TV, Radio, comics, etc.
Take time to be with your child, to listen to what he/she has to say, to discuss ideas with them.
Support the school efforts in curriculum.
Encourage children to record their ideas in binders, notebooks, or journals.
Avoid pushing your child too hard by being too demanding about after school lessons or activities.
Encourage setting long term goals!

38. Gifted Books/Materials/Resources
Suggested Reading:
“My Child is Gifted! Now What?” By Rick Olenchak
“Growing Up Gifted” by Barbara Clark
“Somewhere to Turn: Strategies for Parents of the Gifted and Talented” by Eleanor Hall and Nancy Skinner.
Programs:
Duke Gifted Letter- A publication of Duke’s Talent and Identification Program.
National Association for Gifted Children- Includes a choice of The gifted Child Quarterly or Parenting for High Potential.
North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented.

39. Duke TIP Information
If you are interested in the Duke TIP program for:
4-6 Grade Talent Search or
7th Grade Talent Program
Link for Duke TIP:
Please see Ms. Eldridge for information
Sedgefield Middle School Duke TIP School ID: KF

40. Contact Information
Ms. Catherine Eldridge- Academic Facilitator
Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Days- Monday- Friday