G.A.T.E.S.G.A.T.E.S.

Gifted and Talented Gifted and Talented Educational ServicesEducational Services

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.AdaptabilityA 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.CitizenshipA 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.CommunicationA 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

Critical ThinkingA 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.

RespectA 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)

N.I.S.D. Vision StatementN.I.S.D. Vision Statement

The best and most sought-The best and most sought-after school district where after school district where every student is future ready: every student is future ready: Ready for college, Ready for Ready for college, Ready for the global workplace, Ready the global workplace, Ready for personal success for personal success

Advanced Academics Advanced Academics Vision StatementVision Statement

"The best and most sought "The best and most sought after Advanced Academics after Advanced Academics Program in Texas" Program in Texas"

District Advanced Academics District Advanced Academics Mission StatementMission Statement

The Advanced Academics The Advanced Academics Department, in partnership Department, in partnership with parents and community, with parents and community, will provide students a will provide students a premier education, preparing premier education, preparing them to be successful, them to be successful, productive citizens.productive citizens.

District Curriculum District Curriculum Philosophy Statement: Philosophy Statement:

The curriculum shall develop The curriculum shall develop students abilities to think critically, to students abilities to think critically, to communicate effectively, to reason, communicate effectively, to reason, to solve problems, to value diversity, to solve problems, to value diversity, to seek alternatives, and to learn to seek alternatives, and to learn ways to find answers to questions.ways to find answers to questions.

Defining GiftednessDefining Giftedness There are many definitions of the gifted. The There are many definitions of the gifted. The

federal definition has transformed over the federal definition has transformed over the years. The most recent definition that years. The most recent definition that appears in the No Child Left Behind Act appears in the No Child Left Behind Act states:states:““The term 'gifted and talented', when used The term 'gifted and talented', when used with respect to students, children, or youth, with respect to students, children, or youth, means students, children, or youth who give means students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity,or leadership capacity, or or in specific in specific academic fieldsacademic fields, and who need services or , and who need services or activities not ordinarily provided by the activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those school in order to fully develop those capabilities.” (Section 9101(22)) (Page 544)capabilities.” (Section 9101(22)) (Page 544) http://tip-web-tst.oit.duke.edu/index.htmlhttp://tip-web-tst.oit.duke.edu/index.html

At Northwest I.S.D., the education of At Northwest I.S.D., the education of identified elementary gifted students is identified elementary gifted students is based on these six areas of emphasis: based on these six areas of emphasis: Problem SolvingProblem SolvingCritical ThinkingCritical ThinkingCreative ThinkingCreative ThinkingResearch SkillsResearch SkillsIndependent LearningIndependent LearningCommunication Skills Communication Skills

Problem SolvingProblem Solving

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

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

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

Creative ThinkingCreative Thinking

The student uses divergent The student uses divergent thinking; sees things in new and thinking; sees things in new and different ways. The student different ways. The student shows fluency, flexibility, shows fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration in originality, and elaboration in generating and presenting generating and presenting ideas.ideas.

Research SkillsResearch Skills

The student asks open-ended The student asks open-ended research questions and research questions and develops a plan for answering develops a plan for answering them; gathers information from them; gathers information from relevant sources; clarifies relevant sources; clarifies research questions and research questions and evaluates/synthesizes collected evaluates/synthesizes collected information; purposefully information; purposefully organizes and presents organizes and presents ideas/conclusions.ideas/conclusions.

Independent LearningIndependent Learning

The student organizes time and The student organizes time and work; uses a variety of work; uses a variety of resources; sets high standards resources; sets high standards of quality; completes self-of quality; completes self-directed learning; develops directed learning; develops innovative products and innovative products and performances.performances.

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

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

NISD GATES NISD GATES Progress ReportProgress Report

Gifted and Talented Educational Services Progress Report Student Name: Grade : Classroom Teacher: Campus: School Year: GATES Specialist:

4 = Advanced 3 = Competent 2 = Developing 1 = Beginning EXPECTATIONS 1st 6

Weeks 2nd 6 Weeks

3rd 6 Weeks

4th 6 Weeks

5th 6 Weeks

6th 6 Weeks

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

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

Creative Thinking Uses divergent thinking; sees things in new and different ways. Shows fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration in generating and presenting ideas.

Research Skills 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.

Independent Learning Organizes time and work; uses a variety of resources; sets high standards of quality; completes self-directed learning; develops innovative products and performances.

Communication Skills Communicates effectively; listens actively; participates effectively in a group.

Comments:

1st 6 Weeks 2nd 6 Weeks 3rd 6 Weeks 4th 6 Weeks 5th 6 Weeks 6th 6 Weeks

(Parent Copy) (2009)

GATES ProgramGATES Program

Service your GT children with a Service your GT children with a weekly pull out programweekly pull out program Service per week and Units of Service per week and Units of

Study:Study: K – 60 min (after March 1) – Thinking K – 60 min (after March 1) – Thinking

skillsskills 1 & 2 – 90 min Deductive Reasoning1 & 2 – 90 min Deductive Reasoning 3 – 120 min - Engineering3 – 120 min - Engineering 5 – 150 min Philanthropy and 5 – 150 min Philanthropy and

EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship

Ongoing Lessons Ongoing Lessons Throughout the YearThroughout the Year

• 16 Habits of Mind16 Habits of Mind• Creative and Future Problem SolvingCreative and Future Problem Solving• FFOE – Creative ThinkingFFOE – Creative Thinking• Problem Based LearningProblem Based Learning• Depth and Complexity- Digging deeper into Depth and Complexity- Digging deeper into

our learningour learning• Research and Writing SkillsResearch and Writing Skills• Technology IntegrationTechnology Integration• Understanding Multiple IntelligencesUnderstanding Multiple Intelligences• 6 Hats Thinking6 Hats Thinking

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum SnapshotG.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot

1st and 21st and 2ndnd Grade 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.

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum SnapshotG.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot

33rdrd Grade Grade

EngineeringEngineeringStudents 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.

G.A.T.E.S. Curriculum SnapshotG.A.T.E.S. Curriculum Snapshot

44thth and 5th Grade and 5th Grade

Global Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy (Business, Ethics and Researching Future Global Trends)

Fifth grade students will focus on Future Problem Solving. Various Fifth grade students will focus on Future Problem Solving. Various activities will give students the opportunity to identify significant activities will give students the opportunity to identify significant

problems and develop new, innovative solutions. These problems problems and develop new, innovative solutions. These problems will include, for example, research into what effects global trends, will include, for example, research into what effects global trends, and the constant need for innovative products as societal needs and the constant need for innovative products as societal needs

change. Continuing to focus on the future, students will design and change. Continuing to focus on the future, students will design and create a product with an emphasis on philanthropy. The next step create a product with an emphasis on philanthropy. The next step will be for students to create their own business where they will will be for students to create their own business where they will

market their new product and decide different marketing strategies market their new product and decide different marketing strategies appropriate for a variety of global cultures.appropriate for a variety of global cultures.

ExpectationsExpectations

We will make sure that gifted children’s We will make sure that gifted children’s needs are being addressed EVERY needs are being addressed EVERY DAY.DAY.

We will make sure that appropriate We will make sure that appropriate lessons (differentiated, tiered, lessons (differentiated, tiered, compacted, engaging, respectful tasks) compacted, engaging, respectful tasks) are provided.are provided.

We will challenge our gifted students We will challenge our gifted students with care, dignity and respect.with care, dignity and respect.

We will honor and cherish their We will honor and cherish their differences, from their classmates & differences, from their classmates & from each other.from each other.

We will NOT have a “One Size Fits All” We will NOT have a “One Size Fits All” program.program.

Other OpportunitiesOther Opportunities

Duke TIPDuke TIP Destination ImaginationDestination Imagination UILUIL TAGT website-student tab TAGT website-student tab

includes many games and includes many games and high interest activities in many high interest activities in many subject areassubject areas

Websites for Websites for Gifted ResourcesGifted Resources

www.sengifted.org

www.nagc.org

www.txgifted.org

www.bertiekingore.com

http://www.austega.com/gifted/characteristics.htm

Questions, answers, Questions, answers, concerns…concerns…

Please contact Tracey La FaraE-mail – tlafara@nisdtx.orgPhone – 817-698-5011

Thank you so much for Thank you so much for your valuable time!your valuable time!

Revised August 2012Revised August 2012