After a year of soaking up as much as possible about gifted education and the job of a GRT, this year marks year 1 of building my gifted program at Kempsville. While I know I won't really ever be finished building, it is so important that I establish a strong foundation in these early years on to rely on as my program grows. My plan is to continue the work from last year bringing Problem Based Learning (PBL) to cluster classes but to also get into some not as flashy work by empowering cluster teachers to integrate learning models and strategies proven effective for gifted learners. Starting with the ninth-grade cluster teachers and expanding to the upper grades in the years to come, I will be working with teachers to understand the rationale for each model and to develop classroom strategies that challenge and empower our students.
This year's focus is on Kaplan's Depth and Complexity and Sternberg's Triarchic Theory. The work of Sandra Kaplan and the Depth and Complexity Icons are a great place to start because they are so versatile and can be integrated across disciplines. Additionally, from my work with the feeder schools, I've learned there is a strong emphasis on Kaplan in the lower grades meaning we will be able to provide better programming consistency throughout grade levels. My hope is that teachers will utilize the Icons to promote rigor and critical thinking in the classroom. Sternberg's Triarchic Theory groups learners' skills in three areas of strength-analytic, creative, and practical. Cluster teachers this year will be encouraged to work with me and develop differentiated classroom activities that enable students to learn according to their strength and show mastery using a chosen modality. Algebra 2/Trig students have already taken their Sternberg Learning Style Evaluation and a Algebraic Functions anchoring activity is in the works.
This year's focus is on Kaplan's Depth and Complexity and Sternberg's Triarchic Theory. The work of Sandra Kaplan and the Depth and Complexity Icons are a great place to start because they are so versatile and can be integrated across disciplines. Additionally, from my work with the feeder schools, I've learned there is a strong emphasis on Kaplan in the lower grades meaning we will be able to provide better programming consistency throughout grade levels. My hope is that teachers will utilize the Icons to promote rigor and critical thinking in the classroom. Sternberg's Triarchic Theory groups learners' skills in three areas of strength-analytic, creative, and practical. Cluster teachers this year will be encouraged to work with me and develop differentiated classroom activities that enable students to learn according to their strength and show mastery using a chosen modality. Algebra 2/Trig students have already taken their Sternberg Learning Style Evaluation and a Algebraic Functions anchoring activity is in the works.