How do you want to think today?

Arlington Science Focus School Gifted Services2013 - 2014

John Kirkman, Resource Teacher for the GiftedJohn.Kirkman@apsva.us School Phone: 703/228-7670

CUSTOMIZE THIS SCREEN TO PROVIDE NAME AND SCHOOLAT THE END OF THE POWERPOINT IS ANOTHER PLACE FOR YOU TO PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND WELCOME PARENTS TO THE MEETING.

Tonights presentation will be divided into two parts. The first half will provide a brief presentation of how Arlington Public Schools curriculum and curriculum materials are differentiated in the core areas of English, math, science, and social studies. This presentation is provided as an overview. More detailed information can be obtained from your childs classroom teacher or from the schools content lead teachers.

During the second part of tonights presentation, I will describe how Gifted Services supports differentiation to meet the learning needs of the highly able students in Arlington Public Schools.

Refer parents to the handout provided, beginning with the side Differentiation of Curriculum in the Arlington Public Schools.

THIS PRESENTATION WILL BE POSTED ON THE GIFTED SERVICES WEB PAGES FOR DOWNLOAD BY FAMILIES. YOU CAN MENTION THIS AT THE START OF THE PRESENTATION AND THEN WHEN YOU GET TO THE END WHERE THERE IS THE LINK TO THE APS GIFTED SERVICES WEB PAGE YOU CAN MENTION IT AGAIN.

MS Power PointInformation Cards:

On each table, you will find cards for you to complete providing me with your contact information.

If I am not able to answer your question tonight, write it on the back of the card, and I will contact you via email or phone.

Questions: There will be time for GENERAL questions throughout the presentation.

If you have a specific question you wish to ask about your child, please see me following the meeting or contact me via email or phone.

THIS IS WHEN YOU WILL DISTRIBUTE YOUR SCHOOL BROCHURE IF YOU HAVE ONE:

OPTIONAL: RTG says, This brings us to the end of our evening. I would like to take this time to answer some general questions (while I distribute a brochure to you).

Take general questions. Distribute index cards on which parents can write specific questions about individual students. Explain parents may also email you with questions and should indicate a good time for you to call them.

MS Power PointParent Book clubThis fall I am offering a Book Club for Parents, here at ASFS.

The book topic will address the needs of gifted learners.

If you are interested, please complete an interest slip, found on the tabletopsSocial & emotional Needs of the Gifted LearnerThis fall I will offer a Lunch Bunch group for students that would help them address social and emotional issues they may encounter.This group will focus on ideas presented in the book The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids by Judy Galbraith.Each student who registers is asked to pay for their own copy of the book. As we work through the topics in the book, students will want to take notes in the margins and record ideas discussed with the group. The book is available as an e-book for students with e-Readers.Flyers will go home with fourth and fifth grade students this week.Students will be signed up on a first-come-first served basis. If there is enough interest the first group will begin mid-October.

Art EnrichmentThis year we are working to develop more art talent here at ASFS. During the school year all students in grades one through five will receive three additional art lessons.These lessons will follow a rotation schedule similar to Science City lessons.The groups of 10-14 students will explore an art skill that is outside of the regular art curriculum. Mr. Trueheart is conducting the third, fourth and fifth grade lessons while Ms. Arnett is working with our first and second graders. We began our second rotation group today.

New Student Ability TestsNNAT2 or Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test

Given to all ASFS second graders this Thursday, October 3rd. 30 minute timed testComputer basedParent report of scores provided by APS.

CogAt or Cognitive Abilities Test

Given to all ASFS fourth graders on Tuesday, October 29th Computer basedTo assess students abilities in reasoning and problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal (spatial) symbolsParent report of scores provided by APS.

MS Power PointGifted Services at ASFS

I work in partnership with the classroom teachers and other area specialists in collaborative instruction.

Our method of services at ASFS vary with the needs of the child. - Classroom-based instruction (push-in) or - breakout groups (pull-out)

Creative/Critical Thinking Skills

Daily Differentiation to meet the needs of our students.MS Power PointGifted Services target specific areas of strengthSpecific Academic Aptitude, K-12EnglishMathematicsScienceSocial Studies

Visual or Performing Arts, Grades 3-12Visual ArtVocal Music (Chorus)Instrumental Music Band/Orchestra

We identify students for services in the areas in which we teach

Additional Notes:

Clarify that we begin identification for academics in kindergarten. Formal identification for the arts begins in grade 3.

Read from the slideMS Power PointEnrich and extendSupplemental materials allow students to:build upon prior knowledgeengage in activities to conceptualize knowledgeparticipate in higher order thinkingrespond to assignments according to their diverse learning styles

MS Power PointEnglish/Language Arts

Reading Matched to student skill level, including robust vocabulary study, and critical-creative thinking responses.

Writing/GrammarDeveloping deeper levels of elaboration and depth in student writing either by student interests or response to reading choices.

Word Study Spelling and vocabulary leveled to student skill and designed to further extend their working vocabulary.

MS Power PointMathematics Curriculum and Beyond

Beyond the Textbook: - Hands-on-Equations - Computer based sites - W&M units - Project M or M - Hands-on Geometry - Math Dice

Number SenseComputation and EstimationMeasurementGeometryPatterns, Functions, AlgebraProbability and Statistics

MS Power PointScientific Extensions APS:Outdoor Lab (day or overnight)Planetarium visitsASFS:Investigation StationOutside the Box Day (November)Science in the School YardElementary EngineeringHabitat Day (April)

Jason Project Groups (3rd, 4th and 5th)Student driven research-centered projects

MS Power PointSocial Studies Extensions

Exploring historical events and the world around us:

Student-centered research projects on topic of choiceExploring program National History Bee as possible option for ASFS studentsNational Geographic Geography Bee (Grades 4 & 5)ASFS sent Adam Sherinian to the Virginia State Bee last spring.Before school Geography club to build interest prior to the classroom and school-wide Geography Bee.

MS Power PointGifted Services Identification ProcessThe window to refer a student for gifted services begins in March 2014.At the March PTA meeting and separate Parent Coffee meetings - I will present the nuts and bolts of the process.Teachers will receive materials for referral prior to the March Parent-Teachers conferences to ensure the topic is discussed at that time.Please contact Mr. Kirkman to discuss this process at any time.

MS Power PointRole of Parent SupportingDifferentiation for StudentResources for Parents:

National Association for Gifted - www.nagc.org Virginia Association for Gifted - www.vagifted.org Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted - www.sengifted.org

Support your childs interest to pursue social and cultural opportunities within and beyond his/her strength area(s)

Maintain communication with your childs classroom teachers, Mr. Kirkman, as well as Mrs. Hawthorne to monitor social and academic progress

MS Power PointGifted Services Advisory Committee (GSAC) Arlington Public Schools Parent Advocacy Group Part of Advisory Council of Instruction Monthly meetingsIf interested in serving on this committee, please contact Michele Ginnerty (co-chair of GSAC) at mginnerty@verizon.net or Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services) at cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

Arlington Public Schools Gifted ServicesVisit the Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services link on the APS Web Site

www.apsva.us/giftedservices

Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor, Gifted Services

703-228-6160 or cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

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