Middle Level Talented and Gifted Services

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Middle Level Talented and Gifted Services
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Agenda

• Introductions
• Middle level TAG overview
• Academic Merit Program (AMP)
• Extra curricular activities
• Q A

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Middle Level TAG Coordinator

• Student support and assistance
• Teacher support and assistance
• Parent support and information
• Referrals and identification

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Middle Level Philosophy

• Services based on unique characteristics and
  needs of early adolescents
• Understanding of characteristics is critical to
  understanding the approach to TAG at the middle
  level

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Characteristics of Adolescents

• Increasing capacity for considering
  multiple-perspectives, and planning steps to
  self-direct learning
• Searching for personal identity
• Increasing need for peer approval
• Display a wide range of individual intellectual
  development
• Are dependent on parental beliefs and values but
  seek to make their own choices and decisions

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Middle Level TAG

• TAG is an identification, not a program
• Classroom-based services
• Classroom teachers primarily responsible for
  instruction
• Scheduling
• Flexible grouping strategies
• Individual TAG written plans
• Differentiation / Merit Options

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Differentiated

• Means different to address the rate and level of
  learning, not just more or in addition to the
  regular classroom assignment / activity.
• Different content and skill
• Different materials
• Different level of complexity abstraction
• Different perspectives
• Different learning strategies grouping
• Different pace / use of time
• Different demonstration of learning

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Academic Merit Program(AMP)

• Purpose
• To engage students in higher level thinking
  (Blooms Taxonomy) and problem solving
• To acknowledge students who complete a
  significant number of classroom assignments at a
  more challenging level.
• Benefits
• Intellectual challenge
• Student recognition
• Report card and transcript notation

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AMP

• Requirements
• Trimester commitment
• B average in class
• Successful completion of merit assignments as
  determined by teachers
• Teachers will explain subject specific
  requirements in their own classrooms.

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AMP

• Subjects
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Science
• Math

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Example Social Studies Merit Assignment

• Choice A Select a significant current events
  story in one of the following categories
• General news
• Science and health
• Business and finance
• Share your current events story with the class .
• Choice B (Merit) Select an ongoing current
  events issue. Research some background
  information, then keep a weekly log, provide a
  weekly update to the class. Analyze the
  information you have learned about your ongoing
  issue. Identify the major cause and effect
  relationships and predict future outcomes. Some
  possible issues
• U.S. Presidential Campaign
• U.S. Congressional News
• Iraq war
• Sudan / Darfur
• Iran

• Kenya
• Pakistan
• Healthcare
• Global Warming

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Example Science Merit Assignment

• Choice A Produce a poster that describes and
  explains one of the following topics.
• How earthquakes are measured?
• Tsunamis
• How to prepare for an earthquake
• Research a specific earthquake
• Choice B (Merit) Research the possibility of
  damaging earthquakes in Oregon and Washington.
  Answer the following questions.
• What geological processes are occurring in this
  area that would cause a strong earthquake?
• Where is a strong earthquake likely to happen?
• How probable is it?
• How intense will the shaking be?
• Is a tsunami likely in the event of a strong
  earthquake?
• How well will our infrastructure (roads,
  buildings, etc.) stand up?
• Where should we avoid building critical
  structures?

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Commitment and Next Steps

• Trimester long commitment students can recommit
  each trimester
• Trimester 1 Sign Up Forms are due to the front
  office by Wednesday, Sept. 30th
• (online sign ups coming soon)

• Recognition on report cards
• Recognition at assembly

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What Waluga students have said about AMP

• I like the merit program because it gives me a
  chance to do harder stuff and not be bored.
• AMP helped to motivate me to go the extra mile
  and challenge myself a little more.
• I liked having a merit program so it could
  enrich my learning.
• It was worthwhile because it might help me get
  into higher level classes in high school.
• I liked having the greater amount of
  responsibility in some projects where I could
  work independently.
• You get to think deeper into what you are
  asked. Then when you do good, it gives you a
  good feeling.

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Academic Electives

• Language Arts
• Advanced Writing
• Science Electives
• Science Myth Busters
• Extreme Engineering
• World Languages
• WLE Japanese
• WLE Chinese

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Extra Curricular Activities

• Athletics
• Math Club
• Science Club
• Art Club
• Drama Productions
• Scrabble Club
• Lego Robotics
• History Club

• Book Group
• Math Counts Competition
• PENTA-GAMES
• Geography Bee
• Oregon Writing Festival
• ASAP
• Rotary Speech/Essay Competition

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Parent Involvement

• Encourage students to complete Merit Assignments
• Check teacher calendars for Merit opportunities
• Stay informed by reading newsletter, listserv and
  district website
• Volunteer (clubs, competitions, etc.)
• Parent input forms regarding TAG written plans
• Raising Minds with Superintendent Bill Korach in
  October Informational Meeting Tuesday,
  September 29th (see flyer)

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We would love your help for..The Waluga Book
Group

• What An after-school book discussion group
• When One Monday each month (different parents
  can take different months.
• Where The Waluga Library
• Why To encourage and support our eager readers
  and provide them the chance to lead their own
  discussions!
• How Send an email expressing your interest to
  Mrs. Meabe attend our planning meeting on
  Thursday, Oct. 1st from 300-330 at Waluga.

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Thank You!