2. Cluster grouping is defined as placing a group of three to eight identified gifted students in a mixed-ability classroom. CLUSTER GROUPING
3. No. In a tracking system, all students are grouped by ability for much of the school day, and students tend to remain in the same track throughout their school experience. Gifted students benefit from learning together, and need to be placed with similar students in their areas of strength (Hoover, Sayler, & Feldhusen, 1993; Kulik & Kulik, 1990; Rogers, 1993). ISN’T CLUSTER GROUPING THE SAME AS TRACKING?
4. When teachers try to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, it becomes extremely difficult to provide adequately for everyone. When a teacher has several gifted students, taking the time to make appropriate provisions for them seems more realistic. Furthermore, gifted students can better understand and accept their learning differences if there are others just like them in the class. WHY CLUSTER GROUP STUDENTS?
5. Differentiation is the practice of making lessons different to accommodate the different students in a single classroom. A classroom may have students with a wide range of abilities and rather than “teach to the middle”, a teacher may alter lessons so that all students in a classroom will benefit. DIFFERENTIATED CURRICULUM
6. Pre-testing to see what your child knows about the subject or lesson to be taught If your child has mastered the skill, a differentassignment may be given in place of the regular curriculum assignment Individual Projects Menu of Assignments to choose from Independent Study HOW DIFFERENTIATION WORKS
8. WILL EVERYTHING BE DIFFERENTIATED? NO! Differentiating the curriculum is a difficult and time consuming task. Every assignment does not need to be differentiated. If your child excels in an area he/she may have their curriculum compacted (take out what they already know); they may be given higher level problem solving activities that go deeper into the curriculum, or they may be accelerated in that subject.
9. Your child will be pulled out of the regular classroom at least once a week to work on: Higher level projects assigned in the regular classroom Independent study projects District wide GT projects GT CLASSROOM
10. TECHNOLOGY technology increases the sophistication of products that gifted and talented students can create by allowing them to function in roles similar to practicing professionals. Technology allows students to produce products in a real-world fashion. For example, students can write, edit, and produce books or publications—with a desktop publishing program—that rival in appearance those produced by publishing houses.
11. TECHNOLOGY Today, students can access software that enables them to compose music, design buildings, and collect data with laboratory probes in ways similar to practicing professionals in each of these fields. Thus technology permits students to develop their talents at a higher level of professional sophistication at an earlier age. GT offers access to various types of technology including laptops, ipods, digital drawing tablets, digital cameras, etc.
12. Recorded grades are not entered for projects completed only in the GT program, such as district wide GT projects. However, to make sure your child is accountable and receives credit for the work they do, all district GT specialists will be evaluating their students on a quarterly basis. GT projects and assignments created through the collaboration of the GT specialist and the classroom teacher will be recorded by the classroom teacher. EVALUATION & GRADING
13. It is important that you are aware of what is going on with your child in the GT program and the regular classroom. An online blog has been set up for your information. www.psprettysmart.blogspot.com You will “follow” the blog by entering your email address. This will result in an email notice being sent every time I post something new on the blog. COMMUNICATION
14. CONTACT INFORMATION You may contact any of the teachers to discuss your child’s participation in the GT program. We can all be reached at 738-7236. Individual emails: Kathy Balliet: kballiet@ecsdnv.net 5th Grade Teachers: Susan Berry: sberry@ecsdnv.net Clayton Tempel: ctempel@ecsdnv.net Todd Hagness: thagness@ecsdnv.net
15. Sixth Grade Teachers: Cindy Gillespie: cgillesp@ecsdnv.net Rodger Hansford: rhansfor@ecsdnv.net Joe Johnston: jjohnst2@ecsdnv.net IMPORTANT WEBSITES: ECSD GT Handbook: www.elko.k12.nv.us/pages/gt.html National Association for Gifted Children: www.nagc.org Hoagie’s Gifted Education Page: www.hoagiesgifted.org CONTACT US
