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Lorah, Debra

Challenge:  Exeter Township School District Gifted Support Program                                    

 

Gifted Individualized Education Program

 

The goal of Gifted Education is to challenge, enrich and support the students through differentiated instruction and curricular opportunities while addressing individualized strengths and needs.
 

How is the Gifted Program Structured?

 

Our program consists of the following three separate components:

 

CORE:  Grades 2-6      (Gifted Identified students only)

Our second through fourth graders meet for a two hour period in a six day cycle. Emphasis is placed on higher order thinking, problem solving, critical thinking skills and creative thinking addressing GIEP goals.

 

Seminar/Topic Subjects: Grades 5-6 (Gifted and Talented students)

Our third and fourth graders meet for a topic enrichment class of thematic units for one class in a six day cycle. These topics change quarterly and are science, social studies, and arts related.
 

Challenge Math:  Grades 1-6   (Gifted and Talented students)

Our students meet for a 30 minute class to work on higher order thinking and problem in math. My grade six students focus primarily on Algebraic Problem Solving.

 
 

 

What is the function of the Gifted Support Teacher?

 

The gifted support teacher provides direct instruction and in-class support to students who are mentally gifted depending on individual needs as well as providing enrichment for talented students.

 

Responsibilities Include:

 

  • Writing, Implementing, and monitoring Gifted Individualized Education Programs (GIEP)
  • Serving as liaison between teams and parents
  • Serving as a resource for students, parents and teachers
  • Providing enrichment to students who are mentally gifted in academic areas and personal interests

 

Benefits

 

  • Accentuates strengths of a student while improving areas of need.
  • Provides additional resources and support to students and parents.
  • Fosters creativity, higher level thinking, creative problem solving and interpersonal skills.
  • Provides for differentiated instruction.
  • Advocates for student needs.
  • Allows for exploration of student centered interests.

 

 

HOTS:  Grade 2-6  Higher Order Thinking Skills

Our students receive lessons that are taught  to help them work to their potential using this kind of thinking. Higher levels of thought and problem solving is woven throughout each class.  My main focus is to have my students take basic information and to analyze it, and apply it to other concepts to make connections and solve problems.  It is expected that Challenge students be active and passionate learners who are critical thinkers and problem solvers.

 

 

 

Characteristics of Children who are Mentally Gifted

As taken from The Gifted Kid’s Survival Guide

  • Thirsty for knowledge
  • Asks endless questions
  • Active
  • Excellent memory
  • Advanced vocabulary
  • Prefer company of older children and adults
  • Mature sense of humor
  • Fast learners
  • Enjoys learning new material in depth
  • Independent learners who often resist help or suggestions
  • Acutely aware of the world
  • Can be intolerant, judgmental, critical, or perfectionist
  • Are not always academically motivated

 

 

 

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