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

3. It is the mission of the Northwest Independent School District to provide a quality education, preparing all students to be successful, productive citizens. Our goal is to fulfill this mission by promoting the following characteristics in all of its programs. Every staff member bases student success and program development on these expectations, as well as the fulfillment of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Furthermore, these expectations are enhanced by the graduates completion of the NISD Recommended Plan. Every Student. Every Class. Every Day. Adaptability A Northwest Independent School District graduate will: Possess constructive strategies and/or skills for coping with change, stress, conflict, and transition. Anticipate, assess, and respond positively to the problems and challenges that accompany change. Citizenship A Northwest Independent School District graduate will: Contribute his/her time, energies, and talents to improve the welfare of himself/herself and others; have a sense of social responsibility; participate in the democratic process; be a contributing member of our economy; and operate effectively as a responsible member of our local, state, national, and international societies. Involve himself/herself in endeavors addressing social, political, and environmental issues. Formulate positive core values in order to create a vision for the future. Evaluate, analyze, and modify behavior of self and others in a group situation. Communication A Northwest Independent School District graduate will: Demonstrate effective leadership and/or group skills. Demonstrate proficient reading, writing, speaking, artistic, and listening skills. Demonstrate language literacy in written, aural, visual, electronic, and oral forms. Northwest Independent School District Profile of a Graduate

4. Critical Thinking A Northwest Independent School District graduate will: Demonstrate decision-making and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations. Assess, formulate, and implement solutions to problems. Analyze information from multiple points of view. Locate, identify, assess, integrate, and apply information and resources. Demonstrate proficient use and/or understanding of the latest forms of technology. Respect A Northwest Independent School District graduate will: Demonstrate appreciation and value of self, including a health-conscious lifestyle. Act as a compassionate, considerate, and caring member of society. Understand the worth of diversity, differences of opinion, and humor. Participate in interpersonal relationships within culturally and organizationally diverse settings. Act as a quality decision-maker who exhibits integrity, and sound judgment; take personal responsibility for his/her actions; and make choices that benefit society. Northwest Independent School District Profile of a Graduate (continued)

5. 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 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

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

7. 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.

8. 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. 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.

9. 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: 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) http://tip-web-tst.oit.duke.edu/index.html http://tip-web-tst.oit.duke.edu/index.html

10. 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

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

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

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

17. NISD GATES Progress Report

18. GATES Program Service your GT children with a weekly pull out program Service your GT children with a weekly pull out program Service per week and Units of Study: Service per week and Units of Study: K – 60 min (after March 1) – Thinking skills K – 60 min (after March 1) – Thinking skills 1 & 2 – 90 min Deductive Reasoning 1 & 2 – 90 min Deductive Reasoning 3 – 120 min - Engineering 3 – 120 min - Engineering 5 – 150 min Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship 5 – 150 min Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship

19. Ongoing Lessons Throughout the Year 16 Habits of Mind 16 Habits of Mind Creative and Future Problem Solving Creative and Future Problem Solving FFOE – Creative Thinking FFOE – Creative Thinking Problem Based Learning Problem Based Learning 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 6 Hats Thinking 6 Hats Thinking

20. G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 1st and 2 nd Grade Deductive Reasoning Students will be engaged in researching how detectives use inferencing skills to solve problems. Using logic problems and scenarios, students will learn how to deduce information in order to arrive at a logical and reasonable solution. Students will use their deductive skills to solve a mystery before developing their own mystery. Finally, students will write their own mystery scenario and create a solvable mystery with clues for others to solve.

21. G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 3 rd Grade Engineering Students will examine and analyze different types of structures. These include bridges, tunnels, domes, skyscrapers, and even roller coasters. 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.

22. G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot 4 th and 5th Grade Global Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy (Business, Ethics and Researching Future Global 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, research into what effects global trends, and the constant need for innovative products as societal needs change. Continuing to focus on the future, students will design and create a product with an emphasis on philanthropy. The next step will be for students to create their own business where they will market their new product and decide different marketing strategies appropriate for a variety of global cultures.

23. Expectations 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.

24. Other Opportunities Duke TIP Duke TIP Destination Imagination Destination Imagination UIL UIL TAGT website-student tab includes many games and high interest activities in many subject areas TAGT website-student tab includes many games and high interest activities in many subject areas

25. Websites for Gifted Resources www.sengifted.org www.nagc.org www.txgifted.org www.bertiekingore.com http://www.austega.com/gifted/cha racteristics.htm http://www.austega.com/gifted/cha racteristics.htm

26. Questions, answers, concerns… Please contact Marissa Blattner E-mail – mblattner@nisdtx.orgmblattner@nisdtx.org Schluter – 817-698-3928 Nance – 817-698-1993

27. Thank you so much for your valuable time! Revised August 2013