Newcomers Open House and the Talent Development Program

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Newcomers Open House and the Talent Development
Program
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Definition of Talent Development

• Academically or intellectually gifted students
  perform, or show potential for performing, at
  notably high levels of accomplishment and
  problem-solving when compared with others of
  their age and experience.

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Goal of Talent Development Program

• The goal of the Talent Development Program is to
  develop a content-rich educational process that
  provides opportunities and resources for students
  to
• Attain levels of academic achievement consistent
  with their high abilities
• Engage in abstract, creative, and affective
  reasoning

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• Apply insightful questioning
• Develop a capacity to see interconnections among
  the disciplines
• Practice self-directed learning and independent
  problem solving
• Strive for self-actualization

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Levels of Academic Achievement

• JM Alexander offers the following
• Scholars and Accelerated classes in Language Arts
  and Math
• Advanced Math classes starting in 7th Grade
  (Algebra 1A, Algebra, Geometry)
• Differentiated instruction in science and social
  studies

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Abstract, Creative, and Affective Reasoning at JM
Alexander
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Insightful Questioning
??Questioning??

• Socratic Seminar
• Questioning Stems
• Class and Small Group Discussions
• Project Presentations
• Battle of the Books (Our students placed 2nd in
  the their county region in 2005-2006)
• National Academic League (Our students won their
  county region in 2005-2006)

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Interconnections Among Disciplines

• Team Structure
• Team Projects
• Multi-disciplinary units
• Electives
• 9th Block Enrichment
• Team Sports starting in 7th grade
• Intramural sports
• Technology Projects

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Self-Directed and Independent Problem Solving

• Shakespeare Contest (We had 3 finalists in the
  2005-2006 county-wide contest)
• Duke TIP Program (7 of our students received
  recognition from the state TIP program)
• Spelling Bee
• Math Contests and Competitions

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Strive for Self-ActualizationPeer GroupsBall
GamesAfter School and During School Social
Activities
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TD News

• A sampling of TD Happenings in classrooms
• Students in advanced math classes developed a
  powerpoint on careers. The powerpoints
  researched careers but incorporated Algebra and
  Geometry real world skills. Included were such
  things as salary, projected availability,
  connection to algebra and geometry, etc. It was
  a great learning experience!!!!!

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TD News

• Additional happenings in advanced classes
  included but are not limited to..
• Students in one class had a Gray Wolf Debate and
  study. This incorporated the differing
  perspectives of the rancher and conservationist.
  Plus, the negative portrayal of the Gray Wolf in
  picture books. This was summed up by a debate on
  whether the Gray Wolf should be removed from the
  endangered species list.
• Also, students studied the issue of poverty
  through various texts. A Socratic Seminar was
  conducted that addressed the issue What is our
  human obligation towards poverty? Additionally,
  How do fiction and nonfiction texts portray
  poverty? After researching local organizations
  that deal with poverty, the students organized a
  fundraiser to support, Project World Changer.

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TD News

• Advanced Language Arts students develop a Raptor
  Review formatted newsletter that addresses the
  concerns and issues of 8th graders.
• Additionally, students sent penpal letters to
  penpals in France. They are responsible for
  translating their letters into French by using a
  translation site on the web.

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TD News

• Finally, from our youngest middle school advanced
  students
• One class completed the following assignments
  that utilized best teaching practices and real
  world experience
• As a part of Valentine celebrations, students
  organized a school-wide collection of dog and cat
  food for the Cornelius Animal Control and the
  Great Dane Rescue. Students were encouraged to
  donate food for these animals and bring pictures
  of their pet for an interactive bulletin board.
• Additionally, these students developed poetry
  projects. These projects included all the
  elements of poetry interspersed into student
  written pieces.
• THESE ARE ONLY A SAMPLING OF THE ADVANCED
  LEARNING THAT HAPPENS EVERY DAY AT JM ALEXANDER!
  OUR STUDENTS SHINE IN MANY WAYS!!!!