East Poinsett County
Elementary Gifted & Talented Program Format
The elementary G/T Program consist of the following services:
GRADES K-3 A Gifted Education Specialist conducts forty minute, whole group enrichment activities at least twice a month to all elementary students. Classroom teachers will oversee G.T. lessons during off weeks, with documentation submitted to the Elementary G.T. Facilitator. All activities are designed to enrich the frameworks and focus on higher-level thinking; critical thinking, communication, affective and creativity skills, while literary studies are emphasized. Each learning experience focuses on:
1. fluent thinking –the ability to think of a large number of ideas. The intent is to build a large store of information for children to draw upon later on.
2. flexible thinking –teaches children to shift their thoughts to different categories. Kids find themselves being more original because they have taken a detour in their thinking. The results are ideas that are more clever, uncommon, and inventive.
3. elaborative thinking –the ability to enrich an idea or product by adding details –it is somewhat like taking an ordinary tree and adding ornaments. This helps children be more descriptive leaving very little to the imagination.
4. curiosity –a strong desire to know something. Most children are FULL of this already; however we often tire of their “whys?” Children will learn to test out and to confirm guesses about the unfamiliar or unknown.
5. willingness to take a calculated risk –this encourages a child to predict. This also encourages children to set goals in anticipation of success and to consider the chance of failure. It helps them develop a tolerance for insecurity so common in every day living.
6. preference for complexity –a willingness to accept a challenge. We want children to dig into knotty problems. Challenges in school and in life may be in the form of complicated ideas, difficult problems, or complex tasks –kids need a “I can” attitude
Mini-lesson geared toward higher-order thinking promotes students in developing skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The G.T. teacher makes the units unique for each grade level and different from the expectations of the regular classroom.
(Intermediate) GRADES 4-6
Identified G/T students in grades 4-6 are served in the G/T send out program for 150 minutes per week. Students receive delivery of instruction in a variety of ways to meet their educational needs. Learning experiences are designed to nurture creativity, foster higher order thinking skills, and provide an appropriate enrichment experience. Students are involved in exploratory activities through field trips and guest speakers.
The design of the G/T curriculum extends the regular classroom curriculum with differentiation in content, process, and product.
Lessons promote creativity, critical thinking, research, and communication skills are taught in an eclectic approach, to allow for individual interest to flourish. Individual planned of instruction by content area via technology and/or instruction.
Higher order thinking skills, combined with unique units of study, make the lessons challenging and while building skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Students have the opportunity to work at their level of abilities and in their area(s) of interest and talent while completing independent investigation. Opportunity to build upon areas of interest and investigate real problems is encourage the students to recognize problems, utilize their many talents, and investigate ways they can contribute to our society.
Writing skills are stressed to promote investigation skills and creativity; while analytical thinking is required to enhance the study of selected topics. Interpersonal relations are strengthening as the students develop the value of others while contributing to society. Participation in community projects is common to assist with interpersonal relations. The overall goal of the gifted curriculum at this level is for the students to become producers of knowledge and actively involved to formulate a solution in all aspects of life, especially those that involve helping self, society, or school.
The send-out program offers the study of sign-language, art history, Quiz Bowl, Chess competitions, drama, and numerous critical thinking activities, as well.
Students grades 4-6 will be participating in a unit of studies this year focusing on the art of “Investigating”. Students will be EP-CSI’s ~ (East Poinsett County Student Investigators) and we will be delving into the world of problem solving and investigation.
During this unit of study, students will have a chance to learn about DNA fingerprinting, forensics, forensic photography, electrophoresis, and biotechnology careers. Students will have a chance to investigate and solve mock cases and even take part in a mock trial. The focus throughout all our work will be to increase student’s awareness of the art of investigation; a detailed inquiry or systematic examination. This unit of study will be used to promote creative thinking and strengthen critical thinking and problem solving skills. The students will also participate in playing chess and other strategy games, quiz bowl practice, creative art projects, research, and mind puzzles
The curriculum included for grades K-6 will also feature the participation in The Cultural Kaleidoscope program funded by the Arts in Arkansas Mini Grant. Students will be introduced to the spectacular and colorful world of Russia. We will be learning about the culture of Russian people, Russian art, cuisine, customs, alphabet, games, music. Students will be given a chance to meet someone from Russia as a presenter from Russia is scheduled to come to perform in an assembly (grades K-6) and conduct pull out workshops for students (3rd-6th) to attend.
The G/T Program curriculum also supports the school’s improvement plans by providing interventions for individual/small groups of students.
GRADES K-3 A Gifted Education Specialist conducts forty minute, whole group enrichment activities at least twice a month to all elementary students. Classroom teachers will oversee G.T. lessons during off weeks, with documentation submitted to the Elementary G.T. Facilitator. All activities are designed to enrich the frameworks and focus on higher-level thinking; critical thinking, communication, affective and creativity skills, while literary studies are emphasized. Each learning experience focuses on:
1. fluent thinking –the ability to think of a large number of ideas. The intent is to build a large store of information for children to draw upon later on.
2. flexible thinking –teaches children to shift their thoughts to different categories. Kids find themselves being more original because they have taken a detour in their thinking. The results are ideas that are more clever, uncommon, and inventive.
3. elaborative thinking –the ability to enrich an idea or product by adding details –it is somewhat like taking an ordinary tree and adding ornaments. This helps children be more descriptive leaving very little to the imagination.
4. curiosity –a strong desire to know something. Most children are FULL of this already; however we often tire of their “whys?” Children will learn to test out and to confirm guesses about the unfamiliar or unknown.
5. willingness to take a calculated risk –this encourages a child to predict. This also encourages children to set goals in anticipation of success and to consider the chance of failure. It helps them develop a tolerance for insecurity so common in every day living.
6. preference for complexity –a willingness to accept a challenge. We want children to dig into knotty problems. Challenges in school and in life may be in the form of complicated ideas, difficult problems, or complex tasks –kids need a “I can” attitude
Mini-lesson geared toward higher-order thinking promotes students in developing skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The G.T. teacher makes the units unique for each grade level and different from the expectations of the regular classroom.
(Intermediate) GRADES 4-6
Identified G/T students in grades 4-6 are served in the G/T send out program for 150 minutes per week. Students receive delivery of instruction in a variety of ways to meet their educational needs. Learning experiences are designed to nurture creativity, foster higher order thinking skills, and provide an appropriate enrichment experience. Students are involved in exploratory activities through field trips and guest speakers.
The design of the G/T curriculum extends the regular classroom curriculum with differentiation in content, process, and product.
Lessons promote creativity, critical thinking, research, and communication skills are taught in an eclectic approach, to allow for individual interest to flourish. Individual planned of instruction by content area via technology and/or instruction.
Higher order thinking skills, combined with unique units of study, make the lessons challenging and while building skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Students have the opportunity to work at their level of abilities and in their area(s) of interest and talent while completing independent investigation. Opportunity to build upon areas of interest and investigate real problems is encourage the students to recognize problems, utilize their many talents, and investigate ways they can contribute to our society.
Writing skills are stressed to promote investigation skills and creativity; while analytical thinking is required to enhance the study of selected topics. Interpersonal relations are strengthening as the students develop the value of others while contributing to society. Participation in community projects is common to assist with interpersonal relations. The overall goal of the gifted curriculum at this level is for the students to become producers of knowledge and actively involved to formulate a solution in all aspects of life, especially those that involve helping self, society, or school.
The send-out program offers the study of sign-language, art history, Quiz Bowl, Chess competitions, drama, and numerous critical thinking activities, as well.
Students grades 4-6 will be participating in a unit of studies this year focusing on the art of “Investigating”. Students will be EP-CSI’s ~ (East Poinsett County Student Investigators) and we will be delving into the world of problem solving and investigation.
During this unit of study, students will have a chance to learn about DNA fingerprinting, forensics, forensic photography, electrophoresis, and biotechnology careers. Students will have a chance to investigate and solve mock cases and even take part in a mock trial. The focus throughout all our work will be to increase student’s awareness of the art of investigation; a detailed inquiry or systematic examination. This unit of study will be used to promote creative thinking and strengthen critical thinking and problem solving skills. The students will also participate in playing chess and other strategy games, quiz bowl practice, creative art projects, research, and mind puzzles
The curriculum included for grades K-6 will also feature the participation in The Cultural Kaleidoscope program funded by the Arts in Arkansas Mini Grant. Students will be introduced to the spectacular and colorful world of Russia. We will be learning about the culture of Russian people, Russian art, cuisine, customs, alphabet, games, music. Students will be given a chance to meet someone from Russia as a presenter from Russia is scheduled to come to perform in an assembly (grades K-6) and conduct pull out workshops for students (3rd-6th) to attend.
The G/T Program curriculum also supports the school’s improvement plans by providing interventions for individual/small groups of students.