What to expect in the GT Classroom:

1. Content Differentiation – All students have crafted materials that are just for them and their level and topic of interest during pull out sessions.  This might be an AI chatbot trained to talk with them about their topic or videos, books and articles on their level about their topic.

2. Process Differentiation – In our GT space we utilize small group discussions, project-based learning, virtual field trips, in-person field trips, “expert” community guest presenters, and hands-on activities.

3. Product Differentiation – GT students choose how they want to demonstrate their learning after completing the research portion of their GT projects.  Examples include: writing a short story or a comic book, creating a slide deck presentation, creating a podcast, teaching a lesson to your class or a younger grade, creating something on Scratch to show your learning, creating an art project or diorama or science experiment and explain how it represents or relates to what you learned.

4. Learning Environment Differentiation – We work together to create a culturally and linguistically inclusive space.  Students understand this is their safe space to explore, learn, make mistakes, and grow.  Students respect each other and learn from each other in our collaborative GT space.  

Programming Through the School Year

August - September

Through August and September ALPs are being developed for all identified students.  Families are provided a survey to complete with their child and then a draft of the ALP is created to include 1 academic goal and 1 social emotional (affective goal).  These two goals are often combined together to create a passion project for the student to work on through the school year.   Small groups are created to focus on social emotional skills that are specifc to the needs of our GT students.  These might included learning how to improve organization or self regulation skills, lower perfectionism and build resilience, social skills, working on effective public speaking or building leadership skills.  These groups typically begin near the end of September.  Google Classroom will be updated and existing families will have access to materials.  The GT Coordinator will also have a space during back to school night for families to stop by and ask any questions about the GT process or the upcoming school year!

October - November

In October and November our small groups are running regularly and engaging lessons based on student interest begin.  These groups may be by grade level or by interest depending on the students in a given year.   Universal screeners and testing nominations begin in October and continue into November.  In November, new identifications begin and Magnet Eligibility is identified based on cognitive test scores from the universal screeners (NNAT & NGAT) and testing nomination scores (CogAT).   During this time students will also meet with the GT Coordinator to discuss and plan their passion projects.  They will receive their project notebooks to collect research notes and information to complete their projects.

December - January

In December, testing results are sent home to families and DPS sends Magnet Eligibility letters home to families.   Students will be placed in groups to work on their passion projects during these months and begin to meet regularly with the GT Coordinator to work on their projects.   Students may be grouped by topic or grade level depending on scheduling.  In January, progress monitoring will be updated on ALPs to assess the progress towards student goals for the year.  Any new identifications from testing will receive family surveys followed by the draft of their ALP.  New identification families will gain access to Google Classroom with materials and resources for students and parents.

February - March

Projects, mini lessons and regular pull out groups are fully underway for all identified students at this point.  All newly identified students will receive their project notebooks and begin working on their projects and joining regular groups.  Many students will also begin planning or recording their podcast episode based to share about their project.

April - May 

Students will be completing their projects and working on their final presentations in April.  In May, students will host a GT Family night where they will present their projects in various ways.  During our GT Family night we also have our annual Double Good Popcorn fundraiser.  After the GT Family night, ALPs will be closed out for the year and progress updated for all identified students.

About Advanced Learning Plans (ALP)

Each identified student receives an ALP (advanced learning plan) at the beginning of each year.  Parents, teachers, students, and the GT Coordinator work together to ensure the plan is individualized using the student's talents, interests, and social-emotional needs. 

Each ALP includes at least 1 academic goal based on the student's identification area and 1 social-emotional goal based on an area in need of growth.  Both goals are then typically tied into the student's passion project for the year.

Volunteering & Donating

If you are interested in volunteering to teach a class, lesson or to do an activity with our GT students email Verna Rolland to set up the logistics.  We are always looking for ways to make learning more personalized and tangible. 

To donate to our program click on our wishlist or DonorsChoose campaign below.  Thank you!