Talented and Gifted
Mountain Park Elementary
Fulton County Schools

Meet Ms. Searcy
Teacher for 23 years
At Mountain Park for 17 years
Master’s Degree + Gifted Endorsement Currently working
on a specialist degree in Instructional technology.
Music, Elementary Gifted, Professional Learning
Interests – music, genealogy, Scrabble, NASA

Meet Ms. Rubin
Teacher for 16 years
Fourth year at Mountain Park
Certified Elementary (K-5) + Middle grades (6-8)
Gifted Endorsement + Currently working on a masters
degree in Technology in Education
Interests – technology ,exercise, reading, tennis, cooking,

Meet Ms. Gilbert
 Teacher for 8 years
 At Mountain Park for 3 years
 Certified Elementary (K-5)
 Gifted Endorsement
 Interests- exercise, tennis , and home decor

Meet Ms. Anderson
 Teacher for 12 years
 Gifted Endorsement
 Masters in Health Science
 Two Children ( Jimmy-2 & Tommy 10 mo.)
 Roswell Native/ Go HORNETS!
 Hobbies: Reading, Cooking, Exercise, Digital Scrapbooking

The Talented and Gifted Students
Kindergarten - 0
1st grade – 8
2nd grade – 18
3rd grade – 31
4th grade – 50
5th grade – 52
Total: 159

What Makes Giftedness?
The Gifted Triad Model
Well Above Task
Average Ability Commitment
Creativity
J. Renzulli

“Where We Go” in TAG
Concrete to abstract
Simple to complex
Basic to transformational
Fewer facets to multi-facets
Smaller leaps to greater leaps
More structured to more open
Less independence to greater independence
Tomlinson (1995)

The Talented and Gifted Curriculum
Creative Thinking Skills
Creative Problem Solving Skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Higher Order Thinking Skills
Advanced Research Skills
Advanced Communication Skills
Social Skills
Work and Study Habits

Science and Social Studies
Focused Units
Our units are designed
to extend the
Georgia
Performance
Standards in
Science and Social
Studies

2008-2009 Units
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3
K-1 Pilgrims' Challenge (K-2) Nature Myths (K-2) Where in the World
Creative Thinking/ Creative Problem- Advanced research Higher-Order/ Critical Thinking
Solving Skills
2 Pilgrims' Challenge (K-2) Nature Myths (K-2) Architecture
Creative Thinking/ Creative Problem- Advanced research Higher-Order/ Critical Thinking
Solving Skills
3 Ancient Civilizations Where is the Dodo Current Energy Crisis
Higher-Order/ Critical Thinking Skills Bird? Endangered Individual or Government
Animals Advanced Responsibility?
research Creative Thinking/ Creative
Problem-Solving
4 Explorers and Colonizers of the New Grasping Money Matters (3-4)
World Creative Thinking/ Creative Governments Higher-Order/ Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving Advanced research Skills
5 Epidemic CPS in 2008-2009 Stock Market and TBA
Creative Thinking/ Creative Problem- Finances Advanced research
Solving Higher-Order/ Critical
Thinking Skills

Typical TAG Day
 Critical Thinking
 Brainteasers
 Problem Solving
 Technology
 Creative Thinking
 Brainstorming
 Unit Activities
 Research
 Connections
 Debate
 Discussions
 Products
 Evaluation/TAG Tally

Renzulli Learning System
 Students complete a personal survey that profiles their interest areas, how
they like to learn, and how they like to express what they have learned.
 The system generates a unique user profile that explains your child’s
individual interest areas, learning styles and expression styles.
 Next, the system “hand picks” educational activities which matches the
results of your child’s unique profile. This creates exciting, fun, and
meaningful individualized learning experiences for your child!

Tag Tally- Communication
 The tally is comprised of a self and teacher evaluation of the
student’s performance that day. Criteria for the evaluation
comes directly from the TAG report card.
 Each week the students are expected to share the tally with
their parent(s) and have it signed.
 The signed tally is required to be returned the following week
in order for the student to be considered prepared for class.
 Please help your child keep up with this important weekly
responsibility.

Accountability
 TAG Progress Skills Checklist
3 times/year
 Continuation Criteria/Probation
Satisfactory performance in TAG program and regular education program.
(grades <75)
If a student does not meet the criteria he/she will be placed on probation
for a mandatory period of time.
In the event a student is having trouble meeting this criteria parents will be
notified before a student is placed on probation.
 Conferences
K- 4th in Spring with TAG teacher. 5th grade parent meeting for middle s
school placement.
 Annual Review
Spring of each year

The Gifted Child – Advocacy
 Fulton County Supporters of the Gifted
 Georgia Association of Gifted Child
 National Association of Gifted Children

Contact Information
 Ms. Searcy searc y@fultonschools.org
 Ms. Rubin rubine@fultonschools.org
 Ms. Gilbert gilbertl@fultonschools.org
 Ms. Anderson andersoncm@fultonschools.org

Questions?
Thank you for attending.