Gifted and Talented Curriculum – River Dell Middle School
2009 Revision
Title of Course: Gifted and Talented – Projects and Performances
Length of Course: Half Year
Grade 7/8
Pre-Requisite: Prior acceptance into Gifted programs at the elementary level or new recommendation and evaluation
I Rationale: The Gifted and Talented program provides for an identified select group of students to take part in a program which goes beyond the core curriculum including flexible and advanced content, contests, and inquiry based projects and performances. It is the intention of this class to include students that may not be readily considered.
Our goal is to create real world situations in which the student becomes the creator of solutions in a constructivist atmosphere. The curriculum is often student selected according to interest and its assessment is largely centered on the process and not only the product. The curriculum will enhance student thinking skills, and facilitate the social and affective development of high ability students. We are aligning the curriculum with the National Association of Gifted and Talented (NAGT) standards and the NJ State requirements. These standards and our program will create an atmosphere that encourages approaches, performances and outcomes of high quality.
The intent of the program is to allow students to discover and extend their gift or talent either within the core curriculum content area or within visual and performing arts or technology. A final component includes inviting speakers, presenters and residencies from many different fields, including the visual and performing arts, science, social science, crafts, academics and technology.
The G&T program meets for a half year on a rotating A and B day basis and is provided for both seventh and eighth grades.
II Philosophy Statement: River Dell Regional School district has developed this class with the following in mind. It is our goal and intention to provide qualifying services to the student who demonstrates exceptional characteristics such as divergent thinking or advanced aptitudes as demonstrated by advanced skills, creative expression and task completion. It is the prime goal of this program to guide and push learners who have developed essential skills in gathering, assessing and implementing or applying information. It is also the goal of this program to develop fundamental life-long learners. Students need to learn how to teach themselves – that is the ultimate goal of any program. This class will include at least if not more than the following criteria:
Critical thinking skills
Time Management
Problem solving
Research Skills
Communication Skills
Performance Skills
Organizational Skills
Self-Assessment Skills
Competition Skills
III Objectives:
1. To define one’s gift or talent and develop one’s own potential
2. To synthesize data
3. To create and perform original works
4. To develop social and emotional understanding of self as learners in a bigger community
5. To provide opportunities for self-assessment along with peer and teacher assessment
6. To further develop methods of communication using technology enhanced tools
7. To develop a life-long learner through methods of inquiry
8. To broaden a students awareness of local and global issues and develop ways in which they may or may not be able to contribute.
9. To demonstrate the process of organizational planning and completion of projects defined on student created timelines, including implementation, creation and completion of projects based on a student’s own interest
10. To recognize and consider various ethical dilemmas present or potential in our society
11. To develop a competitive edge by creating content and competing in certain Middle School level activities offered by Odyssey of the Mind, NJ State Mock Trials, Philosophy Slam and other competitions.
12. To work in group or independent projects in a functional and effective way.
13. To identify and develop knowledge of subject matter other than the core curriculum content areas and related arts offered in the school district, such as art, music, and technology.
14. To broaden the students world to include, museums, plays, performances of any sort that are subject oriented and will include warm-up and follow-up exercises to enhance the learning process.
IV Outline or Contents:
Written Projects;
Research Reports
Creative writing, poetry, plays, essays
Reaction papers
Journaling
Analysis of suggested works in the Junior Great Books Program
Oral Presentations:
Video Tapes
Monologues
Digital Presentations – PowerPoint, Moviemaker, Flash etc
Digital Storytelling
Dance or Music Presentations
Hands On Projects/Performances
Websites
Graphic Animated Movies
Bookmaking (Artist in Residence)
Maskmaking (Artist in Residence)
Monologues/Museum
Dance Performance (Artist in Residence)
Literary Performance
Digital Storytelling
B. Identification Process – Evaluation and Assessment**
The district will develop, institute, review and revise the process in which students are identified for the G&T class on an annual basis. The identification process is clearly stated and uniformly administered. Strict confidentiality procedures are followed in regards to placement decisions, results and data regarding all nominated students.
The identification process will include at least the following:
Ø The process in which parents, teachers, students, guidance counselors and administrators need to follow in order to have a student nominated and qualified for services in the G&T class.
Ø A clear process in which the student will be evaluated and included in the class. This will include recommendation from the 6th grade Gifted Teachers from each of the sending districts, and upon new recommendation.
Ø A clear process in which the student will be informed of decision to be included or not in the class.
Ø A clear process for retention, reassessment, exit interviews and appeals procedures for student identification.
Ø A clear process in which students can be required to leave the class and return to a regular education classroom.
Criteria for evaluation:
Academic Achievement
Gifted Teacher recommendation from sending district
CogAT Test Scores
** See RDMS Gifted and Talented Program Student Eligibility Document
NJCCCS Standards:
9.2 Consumer, Family, and Life Skills
A. Critical Thinking
B. Self-Management
C. Interpersonal Communication
D. Character Development and Ethics
E. Consumer and Personal Finance
F. Safety
Computer and Information Literacy
8.1
A. Basic Computer Tools and Skills
§ Keyboarding
§ Word processing
§ Internet usage
§ Spreadsheets
§ Database concepts and usage
§ Publications and presentations
B. Application of Productivity Tools
§ Social Aspects
§ Information Access and Research
§ Problem Solving
Visual and Performing Arts
1.1 Aesthetics
A. Knowledge
B. Skills
1.2 Creation and Performance
A. Dance
B. Music
C. Theater
D. Visual Art
1.3 Elements and Principles of the Arts
A. Dance
B. Music
C. Theater
D. Visual Art
1.4 Critique
A. Knowledge
B. Skills
1.5 World Cultures, History, and Society
A. Knowledge
B. Skills