Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services2014-2015

Nottingham Elementary School

Christine Hoska

Fulltime Resource Teacher for the Gifted

christine.hoska@apsva.us

What We Do for All K-5 Students…

Offer in-class lessons using critical and creative

thinking strategies Attend grade level planning meetings to assist in

differentiation for high-end learners Support teachers by offering ideas and materials

for differentiation in the classroom Support teachers by offering training so teachers

can better recognize and serve students who need greater levels of challenge.

Conduct formal and informal screenings to help teachers make appropriate gifted referrals in February.

Growth Mindsetbased on the work of Carol Dweck

Helping children understand that their intelligence is not fixed

Encouraging hard work and risk-taking, so we can all improve our abilities

Teaching students to frame their thinking in new ways to foster personal growth

Growth Mindset

Instead of saying…

• You’re so smart!

• This work is good enough.

• You’re just not that good at math.

Try saying…• You worked really

hard, and it shows!• Is this really your

best work?

• You’re having trouble with math right now, but keep working on it and you will do better.

Core Curriculum English Math Science Social Studies

Arts Curriculum Visual Arts Music –instrumental & vocal In APS, students may be identified in one or more

areas. Additional areas may be

added throughout their academic K-12 career.

Reading Promoting books with greater levels of challenge, Promoting books with greater levels of challenge,

conferencing with students to individually assess and conferencing with students to individually assess and guide students toward greater levels of guide students toward greater levels of comprehension, independent projects requiring comprehension, independent projects requiring creative and critical thinking that allow students to creative and critical thinking that allow students to follow their passionfollow their passion

Short-term novel studies or research pullout groups.Short-term novel studies or research pullout groups.

Writing/Grammar Instruction matched to student interests and skillsInstruction matched to student interests and skills Written responses to reading.Written responses to reading.

Word Study Spelling and vocabulary leveled to student skillSpelling and vocabulary leveled to student skill

How We Differentiate in English/Language Arts…

• Push in lessons to model use of alternative math Push in lessons to model use of alternative math resources in the classroom (ie. UConn M³ Units, resources in the classroom (ie. UConn M³ Units, Number Sense, Real World Problem Solving)Number Sense, Real World Problem Solving)

• Continental Math LeagueContinental Math League Meets Meets and practice problems and practice problems (2(2ndnd-5-5thth grades) grades)

• ExemplarsExemplars tiered word problems requiring multi-steps, tiered word problems requiring multi-steps, planning and explanation of workplanning and explanation of work

• Math DiceMath Dice practice challenges, lunch play, and tryouts practice challenges, lunch play, and tryouts for the team 2for the team 2ndnd semester (5 semester (5thth grade) grade)

• Anchoring FoldersAnchoring Folders with appropriately challenging work with appropriately challenging work to be done in place of regular classroom activities to be done in place of regular classroom activities when appropriate. when appropriate.

• Pullout lessons with small groups.Pullout lessons with small groups.

How We Differentiate in Mathematics…

• Creating interdisciplinary connections• Infusing real world connections• Promoting hands on/experiential learning

that encourages creative and critical thinking

How We Differentiate in

Science and Social Studies…

How We Differentiate in

Music and Visual Arts…

Art and Music Teachers differentiate for advanced learners during their weekly classes.

Occasional opportunities allow students to extend the use of their talents during special programs (ie. art shows, concerts, theatrical productions, and honors chorus/band/orchestra tryouts

More Information about any Core Curriculum Area

English: Donna McConnell, Sarah Herlihy

Math: Melinda Metz and Angela Torpy

Science: Andrea McFerran

Social Studies: Anne Godfrey

Instructional Lead: John Tarpey

COLLABORATION

FOR

EFFECTIVE DIFFERENTIATION

Classroom Teacher

Resource Teacher for Gifted

Student

We spearhead the identification process as

well as suggest and support teachers in their

student referrals.

We teach lessons in the classroom and pullouts as well as teaching teachers

about ways to better serve their gifted students.

We help suggest ways teachers can change

their classroom structure and strategies to support

gifted students.

We help plan and prep activities for teachers to use in their classrooms.

How the Collaboration Model Works…

The Gifted Identification Process in Arlington

Virginia Department of Education regulations state that each school district must develop a plan to identify and provide services to those students who have learning needs beyond the regular instructional program.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/index.shtml

Identify students who require gifted services

Establish continuous educational services to match the needs of gifted learners

Train teachers in ways to provide services

Support differentiated instruction to meet the needs of gifted students

Specific Academic Aptitude, K-12

English Mathematics Science Social Studies

Visual or Performing Arts, Grades 3-12

Visual Art Vocal Music/ Instrumental Music

(instruments taught in APS)

Each year, the total population is screened by school staff to create a pool of candidates based on students’ need for gifted services

Screening is formal – review of testing information

Screening is informal –teacher feedback, parent information, honors, awards, student participation in school events, competitions, etc.

Students may be referred for services by their classroom teacher, school personnel, parents/guardians, community leaders, and self or other students until April 1st for the current school year.

Referral forms can be found here: http://www.apsva.us/page/1846

Students may be referred for services by their classroom teacher, school personnel, parents/guardians, community leaders, and self or other students until April 1st for the current school year.

Referral forms can be found here: http://www.apsva.us/page/1846

Teacher Referrals

Typically, teachers submit referrals in February seeking official identification for the following school year; however, as teachers see the need for more consistent differentiation, students can be served as needed regardless of whether or not they have officially been identified.

Nationally Normed Testing Information Ability testing (NNAT2,

KBIT (K-1), CogAT) Achievement testing

Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors

School-based Data (SOL, DRA, IA tests)

Parent Information

Work samples

Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors

Student Products

Grades Parent Information

An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process:

Appeals begin at the school level Appeals begin at the school level

with the principalwith the principal A second level of appeal is a county-A second level of appeal is a county-

wide Gifted Services Administrative wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be Appeals Committee (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of submitted in writing within 30 days of the receipt of school level committee the receipt of school level committee decision) decision)

Teacher awareness of student’s abilities and understanding of student’s instructional needs Opportunities to work with other

students who have the ability to reason and problem solve at a high level

RTG availability to support student’s performance and educational program

Resources for Parents: Parent Resource Center Materials - 703-228-7239 National Association for Gifted - www.nagc.org Virginia Association for Gifted - www.vagifted.org Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted -

www.sengifted.org 2e Newsletter – http://www.2enewsletter.com

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

Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teachers, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress

General questions that relate to Gifted Services.

Exit Cards: On each table, you will find index cards that can be used if you have a specific question about your child.

Please write the question, your name/your student’s name, your phone number or email, and the best time for me to contact you.

Arlington Public School’s Parent Advocacy Group

Part of Advisory Council of Instruction Monthly meetings If interested in serving on this committee,

please contact Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services) at cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

The best way to contact me is by emailing me questions and including a phone number and a good time to reach you.

Christine.hoska@apsva.us

Visit 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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Find out more about Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services…