Mrs. DeAngelo's
Gifted/Enriched MATH
& Gifted SEMINAR
About Mrs. DeAngelo
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Hoover Middle School! My name is April DeAngelo and I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher this year. I am highly qualified in Middle Grade Math and have a Gifted Endorsement. My overall goal is to challenge the students and push them to “extend effort”. My students will experience difficult challenges in a safe environment where they are encouraged to persevere. I want my students to leave my classroom with grit and a passion for learning.
I was raised, and earned my teaching degree, in Pennsylvania and have lived in Albuquerque, NM, teaching gifted students, since 2013. I have taught gifted math at Hoover Middle school since 2017. I have two sons, one is a junior at UNM this year and the other is a senior at Eldorado High School!
Our family enjoys hiking and exploring the beauty of New Mexico with our dog, Iris. I enjoy spending my personal time on the potter's wheel, making jewelry, or dabbling in other types of art.
I look forward to this awesome year with my students!
2023-24 Gifted/Enriched Math Program Summary:
The Hoover Gifted Math program pathway:
6th Grade Gifted/Enriched Math: Lessons cover all of 6th grade standards and about half of 7th grade standards.
7th Grade Gifted/Enriched Math: Lessons cover the remainder of 7th grade standards and the majority of 8th grade standards.
8th Grade Algebra 1/ Honors Algebra 1: 9th grade course taught at Hoover MS by a qualified teacher for high school math credit. (If minimum requirements determined by the Hoover Math Team are not met by the student, and the IEP team determines that Algebra 1 is not the appropriate placement, then the student will be placed in General Education 8th grade math.)
The pace and lessons will be built and adjusted based on student need, with the understanding that many students did not receive lessons on all expected skills from "the COVID years". The gifted math curriculum is based on the CCSS (Common Core State Standards), exploration of the NM Gifted Strands, and students’ IEP goals. Emphasis will be placed on comprehension and analysis of multi-step, open-ended problems and the ability to explain solutions & strategies both verbally and in writing. A variety of materials will be used to challenge students, including:
Illustrative Math Accelerated Program for grades 6 ,7, & 8, which is an investigative approach to math
Real-World application lessons and activities
Instructional videos
Projects or Digital Escape Rooms at the end of some units to show understanding and an ability to apply the math skills independently.
Classroom Expectations:
Students will:
be Respectful, Responsible, & Determined
come to class prepared and eager to learn.
complete assignments on time.
treat others with respect and kindness.
be an active participant in the classroom.
keep trying, even when it gets tough.
APS Gifted Strands
Creativity: Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, Abstract Expressiveness
Communication: Listening skills, Oral and written skills, Non-verbal communication skills, Discussion skills
Self-Understanding-Self-Acceptance: Preferred learning, behavioral and management styles. Sense of personal responsibility.
Interpersonal Skills: (i.e. group dynamics) Leadership, Conflict Resolution (i.e. negotiation, compromise) Cooperation and Teamwork, Presentation of Self.
Interest Development: Wide range of interest, Career Exploration, Arts Experience, Community/Global Awareness
Skills of the Independent Learner: Independent study skills, Evaluation skills, Accessing community, Mentorship/Internship
Achievement: Accessing appropriate alternative educational opportunities