Nurturing Gifts: Welcome Back to the Gifted and Talent Development Class!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Welcome Back to the Gifted and Talent Development Class!

August 5, 2015

Dear Parents and Students,

As your Gifted and Talent Development Teacher, I am very excited to start the 2015-2016 school year with you. This year our classroom theme is "Soaring to Greater Heights". I will serve students at M. Agnes Jones on Monday and Tuesday, and at Cascade on Thursday and Friday. Classes will begin the week of August 17th. Please read the attached welcome back letter for more information and a list of supplies you will need to be successful in class this year. I look forward to meeting you and working with you as always.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dickson
Itinerant Gifted/Talent Development Teacher
M. Agnes Jones and Cascade Elementaries

Gifted/Talent Development Class Syllabus

M. A. Jones Elementary/ Cascade Elementary Schools

Class Overview

Welcome parents and students to the Gifted/Talent Development Program! I am Mrs. Dickson and I will provide Gifted and Talented as well as Talent Development instruction beginning the week of August 17^th. Our theme this year is “Soaring to Greater Heights”. The classroom will be a place the gifts, talents, multiple intelligences, and learning styles of both gifted and Talent Development students alike are embraced, while critical thinking and problem solving skills are better developed. Classroom curriculum is developed from interdisciplinary, differentiated, and standards-based lessons and activities for high ability learners. Units of study are aligned with the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards, Georgia Standards of Excellence, as well as the Atlanta Public School’s Gifted and Talented Program Standards. These standards focus on advanced communication skills, advanced research skills, creative thinking and problem solving skills, and higher order critical thinking skills. Classes will meet for students in first through second grades on Monday (M. A. Jones) and Friday (Cascade) and for students in third through fifth grades on Tuesday (M.A. Jones) and Thursday (Cascade).

Curriculum

Two large units and a mini unit will be taught during the school year. In “Symbols”, the first large unit for first and second graders, students will explore why symbols are used, the origin of some symbols, and the universal acceptance of others.

In the first large unit for third through fifth grade students, “American Footprints”, will develop the steps of creative problem solving, students will extend their knowledge of historical figures, scientists, and inventors by studying the problems they faced and the solutions they found for those problems. Students will learn the steps of creative problem solving through these problem solvers and they will take the necessary steps to apply this knowledge to a problem within their own school environment. They will find a problem, learn all they can about the problem, solve the problem and implement the solution.

Additional classroom focuses are on STEAM, project based learning, multiple intelligences, and on activities that support the social and emotional needs of all students.

Supplies/Student Expectations

All students are required to bring to class weekly a three ring binder with paper, pencil, and pocket size pencil sharpener. All assignments, class notes, and homework should be kept in the binder and brought to class each week. Occasional binder checks will be done throughout the unit to ensure students are being responsible with keeping up their binders. In addition, the class will have to complete homework assignments, a culminating unit project, and independent study projects. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

	Sincerely, Mrs. Dickson Itinerant Gifted/Talented Development Teacher M. Agnes Jones Elementary School (404) 802-3900 Cascade Elementary School (404) 802-8100 ldickson@atlanta.k12.ga.us http://www.nurturinggifts.blogspot.com

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Teacher Bio

Certification: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Howard University, Master of Education in Educational Psychology (Gifted & Creative Education) from the University of Georgia

Teaching Philosophy: For students to be successful in a global 21st century environment, teachers must ignite students’ passion for learning while transforming them to become critical thinkers, advanced communicators, creative problem solvers, and advanced researchers of the future.

Special Interests: Mrs. Dickson enjoys reading, decorating, arts and crafts, family activities, traveling, and spending time with her family and dog.

As your Gifted Teacher, you can expect the following: I will provide students with meaningful and engaging opportunities to develop their abilities and explore academic subjects and interests with both rigor and creativity.

My Focus: Creating opportunities to expose all learners to gifted and talented pedagogy in an effort to improve achievement and increase the identification of underrepresented students in the program.

About This Class

Click here for the Atlanta Public Schools Office of Gifted and Talented Website

Welcome to our class blog

Class Overview

Welcome parents and students to the Gifted/Talent Development Program! I am Mrs. Dickson and I will provide Gifted and Talented as well as Talent Development instruction beginning the week of August 14th. The classroom will be a place the gifts, talents, multiple intelligences, and learning styles of both gifted and Talent Development students alike are embraced, while critical thinking and problem solving skills are better developed. Classroom curriculum is developed from interdisciplinary, differentiated, and standards-based lessons and activities for high ability learners. Units of study are aligned with the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards, as well as the Atlanta Public School’s Gifted and Talented Program Standards, which focus on advanced communication skills, advanced research skills, creative thinking and problem solving skills, and higher order critical thinking skills.

Curriculum

Supplies/Student Expectations

To ensure academic success, all students must come prepared every week on their assigned Challenge day with 1) a 2-inch wide three ring binder (new or recycled) with paper, 2) pencils, and 3) a composition book for journaling. Without these materials students will not be able to complete tasks, assignments, or the end of the unit project. The projects require students to synthesize all learning gained through note taking, handouts, discussions, research, and experiences documented in the binder. One project will be expected at the end of each large unit of study. Projects related to the mini units of study will be completed in class. Although homework tasks will be reviewed in class weekly, students may also visit the class blog (QR code linked below), to retrieve assignments and participate in any posted tasks or discussion questions. EdModo will be a classroom collaboration tool. Students will be expected to retain their login information and abide by the Edmodo Code of Conduct whenever they are utilizing this tool to collaborate about learning tasks, either at school or home. All behavior standards and expectations in the gifted and Talent Development classroom reflect and mirror those of the school.

Lastly, the class newsletter will keep you abreast of what is taking place in the classroom, celebrate student successes, such as becoming student of the month, and share essential gifted education news and resources. As always, I look forward to having a successful year of teaching and learning with our students. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.