The Magic of Dede, Erica, and Christie

DiscoverCreateWonderSpring Hill ESAdvanced Academic ProgramsProviding Challenges for All Students1Our objective todayUnderstand what ENRICHMENT isUnderstand what enrichment looks like at Spring HillTouch on screening for Advanced Academics Level IV2

Each child has a unique profile of strengths and abilities. FCPS is committed to providing challenging learning experiences for all learners that build on their individual strengths and optimize their abilities.FCPS PhilosophyEvery child deserves an opportunity to be challenged at the highest level possible. SHES is committed to providing a challenging AAP curriculum and engaging learning experiences for all learners. For those who cant immediately meet the challenge, we scaffold to meet their needs but EVERY teacher at SHES works to ensure each child reaches his or her potential. 3Intelligence is not how much you know or how fast you learn

but how you behave when you dont know the answer.

4Our jobas parents and educators is to help students learn the skills that they will need to be successful in a world that is faced with many complex challenges

Parents, you know your children best you know their interests and their abilities.We, as educators, know strategies and practices that help us tap into interests and develop each childs strengths.

Working together, we can create an environment where your child will have opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and understandings that they need to be successful as they pursue their interests and maximize their abilities.The Interstate vs. the Side Road

More leisurely and scenicFrequent stops along the wayInteraction with surroundingsThe journey is as important as the destination (lasting memories and experiences)Usually fast and directFew stops along the wayLittle interaction with surroundingsGoal is the destination5For a moment consider the following ways you might travel to a destination.interstate or the sideroadTakin Them on the Side Road

moving faster through curriculummastering more skillsmemorizing more factsaiming for instant gratificationTo challenge children, we must think beyond:6To challenge children, we need to think beyond getting to the destination beyond

moving faster through curriculummastering more skillsmemorizing more factsaiming for instant gratification

Takin Them on the Side Road

thinking critically and deeplythinking flexibly (making connections between ideas and helping them go beyond the obvious to devise alternative situations or solutions)stretching themselves creativelyperseveringtaking risksRather, to challenge children, we need to help them find rewards in taking the side road which involvesthinking critically and deeplythinking flexibly (making connections between ideas and helping them go beyond the obvious to devise alternative situations or solutions)stretching themselves creativelyperseveringtaking risks

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http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtmlThere is a set continuum of services that FCPS has adopted to illustrate the many different ways all children might receive challenges in FCPS. These are progress based on a students readiness, interests, and learning styles.

All, many, some, a few

In the FCPS Advanced Academic brochure you will find a description of the continuum of services that the Advanced Academic Programs in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offer students.We have adopted this model in order to emphasize the importance of identifying services, not children, so that all children have the opportunity to work at a level of challenge that best meets their needs. This is a great video which does a great job of showing what we dobut its long and there is much Id like to share with you . So well post it so you can view it at home. 8Enrichment At SHESCurriculum and Resource Framework

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/gradelevel.shtml9Advanced academics services are also provided by more than just the advanced academics resource teacher or the AAP classroom teachers. In addition to working directly with some students, my job is largely to collaborate with teams and individual teachers to strategize on ways to make the learning experiences for your children as challenging as they can handle.

Each grade level has a curriculum and resource framework for each of the four core subject areas and all resources are research-based as beneficial for advanced learners. Teachers select resources from this menu to utilize with students need extra challenges.

https://msbersonshotspot.shutterfly.com/https://msbersonshotspot.shutterfly.com/10Strategy Games and Activities in the HOT SpotAdvanced Academic ServicesLevel I (K-6th)

Students collaborate to problem solve in the HOT Spot

So what do each of the different levels of AAP service entail?

As mentioned earlier all students receive Level I AAP servicesthroughout the dayby their classroom teachers, by specialist and ALSO by me.

HOT Spot: Higher Order Thinkingwe work on critical thinking and problem solving through games and activities

improve their abilities to solve problems in and out of the classroom.learn to accept responsibility for their own learning.Work on their communication and collaboration skills

You may want to visit the SHES HOTspot website for more information and to see videos and pictures of the students engaged in problem solving, communication, risk taking, and collaboration.

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Advanced Academic ServicesLevel I (K-6th)

Critical and Creative Thinking SkillsAll children learn to think, reason, and problem-solve through 9 strategies that challenge students to use and apply knowledge in new and different ways. I collaborate with all classroom teachers to teach these lessons that ask students to think critically and creatively about topics tied to every subject area in each grade level.

These 9 thinking strategies incorporate 21st Century thinking skills and extend and enrich the Program of Studies.They are posted on the Advanced Academic Programs web page at http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap and Carol Horn, the director of AAP, has written several articles for parents on how to incorporate them at home as well. Responses to the lessons are also often used as evidence of advanced academic potential.

The following video which demonstrates the flexible and original thinking communicated by two 1st graders last year. Their assignment: to come up with a new and improved toothbrush that will make every child want to brush his teeth without fail.

12Level II (K-6): Differentiated ServicesAdvanced Academic ServicesStudents with area of specific academic strength Flexible Instructional GroupingsTypically conducted by the classroom teacher, but other resource teachers may also support the learning

13Differentiated instruction is provided through more challenging content, assignments, resources, and flexible groupings in one or more areas of academic strength. Advanced Academic Resource Teachers plan, collaborate, and share ideas and resources with classroom teachers and other specialists.

Could include:Regular access to Advanced Math and AAP resources, Literacy clubs, Socratic SeminarContinental Math League (2nd-6th)Word Masters (upper)Hands on EquationsSocratic SeminarThe Great DebateDocument Based QuestionsDirect services by the AART for identified advanced academic students in pull-out groups, flexible instructional groups, or in classroom settings

Students are challenged through lessons, models, and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS

Students are identified by the classroom and resource teachers based on the GBRS and their regular success with above grade level materialAdvanced Academic ServicesLevel III: Part-Time AAP (3rd-6th)

Paper BridgesPaper Bridges14Each year a local committee screens all students in grades 3-6 for possible participation in advanced academics.

The Advanced Academic resource teacher provides direct services for these students throughout the year.

Advanced Academic ServicesLevel IV: Full Time AAP (3rd-6th) The AAP Level IV program provides full-time academic placement for high ability students.

Teachers follow a curriculum framework to differentiate the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction based on the POS.

Students work with academic peers in all core subject areas.

AAP Level IV eligibility is determined by a CENTRAL selection committee. 15Level IV Screening FOLDERAbility & Achievement Test Scores Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) Standards of Learning (SOL)

2. Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (GBRS)

3. Progress Reports

4. Additional Information Record of previous AAP services received Work samples

Reference the bottom of the timeline for who provides the information16 1. REFERRAL (2nd-6th) - parents/guardians may initiate a referral

POOL (2nd grade only) - based on CogAT or Naglieri ability scores

2. Screening file prepared by local school AAP Committee:

Gifted Behaviors Rating Scale w/Commentary (GBRS) Progress Reports Test data results Work Samples and Any Additional Information

3.Eligibility determined by a Central Screening Committee

4.Ineligible students reviewed by an Oversight Committee

5. Parents are notified.

Level IV Screening process17COMPONENTSCATEGORIESRATING SCALEEXCEPTIONAL Ability to LearnEXCEPTIONAL Application of KnowledgeEXCEPTIONAL Creative-Productive ThinkingEXCEPTIONAL Motivation to Succeed4 = Consistently3 = Frequently2 = Occasionally1 = RarelyGIFTED BEHAVIORS RATING SCALEProvide handoutIn identifying students for advanced academics, one tool that we use is available on the AAP website the Gifted Behaviors Rating Scale It gives many examples of characteristics of advanced students in the categories of:

-exceptional ability to learn-exceptional application of knowledge-exceptional creative/productive thinking-exceptional motivation to succeed

18ABILITY TESTS Verbal Comprehension Perceptual Reasoning Working Memory Processing Speed19Level IV Screening Dates to RememberTESTING

October 13-23, 2015 Fairfax County Public Schools CogAT-Custom Form grade 2 Test (administered to all students in grade 2) and Cognitive Abilities Test (administered to specific students grades 3-7)

November 16-20, 2015 Naglieri Nonverbal Test (administered to specific students in grade 2-7)

March 7-11, 2016 Naglieri Nonverbal Test (administered to all students in grade 1 and students in grades 2-7 who need an abilities test score for Level IV testing) All decisions regarding full-time placement in advanced academic programs are made by a central selection committee. Based on ability test scores from grades 1 and 2, a screening pool is created. Parents or guardians may refer 2nd grade students who are not in the screening pool, and students in grades 3 through 7, by submitting the AAP Level IV Referral Form

Schools administer tests to all FCPS students in 1st and 2nd grades and to students in 3rd through 7th grades who are missing ability test scores according to timeline you see here. Parents or guardians may request one retest in grades 3 through 7 during the fall testing cycle. Students must be enrolled in and attending FCPS in order to be tested. An ability test score is required for the screening process.

20FALL 2015 (FEW STUDENTS)(ONLY for FCPS students, newly enrolled in FCPS and attending after January 2015)October 9, 2015 Level IV Referral Form for new FCPS students due to AARTJanuary 2016 Eligibility decisions mailed February 8, 2016 Eligible students grades 3-8 may attend full-time AAP (Level IV) Center beginning 2nd semester

SPRING 2016 (MOST STUDENTS)January 15, 2016 Level IV Referral Form and optional materials for students in grade 2 who are not in pool and students in grades 3 6 due to AART (PLEASE NOTE: Due to the tight timeframe, do not wait for test information to submit a referral if you would like your student to be screened. No exceptions to the referral deadline are made.) Feb/March 2016 Central Selection Committee meets End of March 2016 Eligibility decisions mailed April 29, 2016 Appeals due to AAP Office Level IV Identification 21How Parents Can Support Scholarly AttitudesEmphasize encouragement rather than pressureFocus on effort, perseveranceAllow a struggle; let students learn from their mistakesPraise steps taken toward accomplishing a goalRegularly ask Why? Have students justify their opinions and points of viewDISCOURAGE the fear of failure

Create a flexible, questioning atmosphere that allows the child toDiscuss optionsHear and consider other viewpointsRespectfully disagreeStand up for beliefs and choicesI have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.Thomas A. Edison

22I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.Thomas A. Edison

More INFORMATIONSHES AAP Websitehttps://msbersonshotspot.shutterfly.com/

FCPS Advanced Academic Programshttp://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

AAP Parent Information Packethttp://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/packet/ParentInformationPacketFCPS.pdf

AAP Frequently Asked Questionshttp://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/faqs.shtml

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Questions?24