Standard 3: Differentiated Curriculum & Instruction

K-3 Nurturing Program:

The Gifted program in New Hanover County provides opportunities for higher order thinking in grades K-2 as well as the first semester of 3rd grade (before students are identified). This component of the New Hanover County AIG plan is the Nurturing Program. As the Gifted Education Specialist at Murrayville, I provide students with enrichment through higher order thinking skills activities. In kindergarten through third grade classes, I come into the classrooms and teach a variety of higher order thinking skills such as: Convergent Thinking, Divergent Thinking, and Inventive Thinking through the P.E.T.S. program (Primary Education Thinking Skills---a program published by Pieces of Learning Publishing). The K-3 Nurturing Component is an interdisciplinary program in math and language arts designed to promote both academic achievement and thinking skills for all students.

At Murrayville, the curriculum may be extended, enriched, and/or accelerated to meet the needs of children performing above grade level. Classroom teachers work closely with the Gifted Education Specialist to ensure that content, process, product and learning environment are meaningfully differentiated and appropriately challenging. In order to best meet each student’s individual needs, service delivery is multi-faceted and flexible. Please see service delivery options below for a few of the many possibilities.

    • cluster grouping

    • subject grouping

    • anchor activities

    • learning centers

    • tiered assignments

    • learning contracts

    • computer based instruction

    • independent study

    • small group electives


In compliance with Federal law, including Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, New Hanover County Schools administers all state-operated educational programs, employment activities, and admissions without discrimination because of disability, race, religion, national, or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, or gender except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law.