Jacqueline FirsterResource Teacher for the Gifted

Abingdon Elementary School

Question Cards

Do you have a specific question? Please write your question(s) Your name Your child’s name Your contact information The best time for me to contact you

Professional Responsibilities

Promote differentiation strategies in the classroom

Provide extensions and supplemental resources for teachers

Model instructional strategies

Inform staff about gifted education training opportunities

Facilitate the identification process

Professional Learning Communities

Four Key Questions Focus Us on Learning

#1 What is it we expect our students to learn?

#2 How will we know when they have learned it?

#3 How will we provide time and support when they don’t learn it?

#4 How will we expand learning when they already know it or learn it quickly?

Classroom Support

Plan with and support the classroom teachers with extension activities and projects identified students students who show evidence of mastering

grade level content

Push-in/Pull-out Literature/Reading/Writing support for differentiated, small group instruction

Push-in/Pull-out Mathematics support for differentiated, small group instruction

Co-Teaching with classroom teachers and specialists

Classroom Support

Model critical and creative thinking strategies in classes on a rotating basis

Provide resources and differentiation support to non-classroom teachers/specialists

May look different in the various grade levels depending on teacher and student needs

Curriculum Examples

Gifted Services Literature Units

William and Mary Literature Units and Materials

Univ. of Connecticut Project M2 and Project M3

Best of the Continental Math League/Math Exemplars

Hands-On Equations

Project Clarion Science Units

Teaching With Primary Sources (Library of Congress)

APS Identification Process

Specific Academic Attitude, K-12 Language Arts Math Social Studies Science

Visual and Performing Arts, 3-12 Fine Arts Vocal/Instrumental Music (instruments

taught in APS)

Screening for Identification

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.

Referrals for Gifted Services

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

Eligibility Criteria for Specific Academic Area

Nationally Normed Testing Information Ability and Achievement Testing

Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors

School-based Data

Parent Information

Work Samples

Eligibility Criteria for Visual or Vocal/Instrumental Music Area

Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors

Grades

Parent Information

Student Products

Appeals Process

An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process:

Appeals begin at the school level with the Appeals begin at the school level with the principalprincipal

A second level of appeal is a county-wide Gifted A second level of appeal is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the school level committee decision) the school level committee decision)

Why Gifted Services Identification?

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

Role of Parent Supporting Differentiation for Student

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

APS’s Gifted Services Parent Advocacy Committee If interested in serving on this monthly committee, please contact Cheryl McCullough (Supervisor, Gifted Services) at cheryl.mccullough@apsva.us

Parent Resources

APS Gifted Services http://www.apsva.us/giftedservices

Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG) http://www.vagifted.org

National Association for the Gifted (NAGC) http://www.nagc.org

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) http://www.sengifted.org

Questions?

Do you have a specific question? Please write your question(s) Your name Your child’s name Your contact information The best time for me to contact you

Contact Information

Jacqueline Firster, Resource Teacher for the Gifted

Email: jacqueline.firster@aspva.us

Phone: 703.228.6650

Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor of Gifted Services

Email: Cheryl.McCullough@apsva.us

Phone: 703.228.6160