1. Welcome to Middle School GT
Thompson School District R2-J

2. Middle School:
A time of Transition

3. Kids feel independent Multiple teachers instead of one Lockers
More anonymity
But within a supported environment
Still strong home-school communication opportunities

4. Kids feel the power of increased choices
Choices in courses
Choices in activities
Choices in friends
But parents can support making good choices

6. GT services also change
Elementary pull-out/push-in combination
Middle school instruction left to highly qualified teachers
Kids may be clustered or placed in leveled classes
GT specialists co-teach or provide support
Extra curricular offerings

7. Ungifting What doesn’t change GT identification
ALP established in sixth grade, reviewed in seventh and eighth
Ungifting

8. Preparation for middle school

9. Talk about it! answer questions/ address concerns understand schedule
locker, walk the halls
back to school days and nights
highlight the positive
everyone else is new, too
keep in touch with old friends

10. Homework plan be prepared with supplies how will you organize?
don’t throw anything away
homework corner
help with homework
self-advocate

11. New friends know who they are don’t try to choose them for your child
you shouldn’t need to know everything

12. New interests be involved in sports or clubs in school
get involved in community service
don’t let your hopes get in their way

13. Red flags tired/ trouble sleeping withdrawn lack of communication
visibly upset/ cries easily
loss of appetite
visiting school nurse often
severe drop in academic performance

14. Who to contact
GT teacher
building principal
district coordinator

15. Selecting courses Try something new Take courses with rigor
Be prepared for alternate courses

16. Individual Schools
Will have differences

17. Individual schools Have different bell schedules
Have different elective options
May have specific area of focus

18. Bill Reed Middle School
Loveland Integrated School of the Arts
Core Knowledge

19. Conrad Ball Middle School
Colorado Trailblazer School to Watch

20. Lucile Erwin Middle School
IB World School
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

21. Turner Middle School

22. Walt Clark Middle School

23. Charter middle schools

24. Questions
for our panel

25. Thank you
for coming!