Jacqueline Firster Resource Teacher for the Gifted Abingdon Elementary School

1. Jacqueline Firster Resource Teacher for the Gifted Abingdon Elementary School

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. Eligibility Criteria for Visual or Vocal/Instrumental Music Area • Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors • Grades • Parent Information • Student Products

13. Appeals Process • An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process: • Appeals begin at the school level with the principal • A second level of appeal is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the school level committee decision)

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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