Idea ProgramInteresting Dimensions that Extend

Abilities

Darien Public Schoolsideaprogram.wordpress.com

October 8, 2015

Welcome Parents

■ Darien’s process for identifying gifted children

■ Idea program curriculum

■ Characteristics of gifted children

■ DAEG

■ Questions

Idea Program Identification

Students are identified as gifted in grades 1-8. The Idea program is a pull-out program in grades 1-5. Students in grades 6-8 attend Idea class two days a week during their lunch period. In grade 9 students are enrolled in Idea class two class periods per week.

What criteria is used to identify students as gifted in Darien?

OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test) scores

Writing samples

DRA/DRP (reading test) scores

Teacher ranking form

Parent ranking form

Idea Program Curriculum

Grades 1 & 2: Development of Language & Patterns

Grade 3:Innovations & Inventions

Grade 4: Forum & All Things Greek

Grade 5: Western Civilization

Grade 6: Future Worlds

Grade 7: Time

Grade 8: Philosophy & Socratic Seminar

Grade 9: Achiever’s Project

*WordMasters

Intellectual Characteristics

■ Passion for learning■ Rapid learning rate■ Recognizes and understands

abstractions■ Exceptional reasoning ability■ Powers of concentration■ Vivid imagination

Personality Characteristics

■ Insightfulness / sensitivity■ Need to understand■ Perfectionism ■ Intensity / perseverance■ Acute self awareness■ Questioning of rules / authority■ Sense of humor

Gifted Behavior

■ Insightfulness / sensitivity

■ Need to understand

■ Perfectionism Intensity / perseverance

■ Acute self awareness

■ Questioning of rules / authority

■ Passion for learning■ Rapid learning rate■ Recognizes and

understands abstractions

■ Exceptional reasoning ability

■ Powers /concentration

■ Vivid imagination

Idea Program

■ Gifted students, in the Darien Public Schools, are those students in grades 1 through 9 who demonstrate or show potential for exceptional intellectual or specific academic capability.

■ They comprise 5 to 8% of the general student population and their needs cannot be met fully in the mainstream education environment.

CT State Board of EducationInstruction for gifted is differentiated by:

➢ Faster pacing, greater depth and breadth

➢ Higher levels of abstractions and complexity

➢Presentation at an earlier age

Idea Program Goals

Provide an opportunity for learning and exchange with intellectual peers.

Development of communication and social skills

Encourage intellectual risk-taking

Provide a “safe” learning environment

Contact Information

Joan Glass, B.A., M.A.T.

jglass@darienps.org

http://ideaprogram.wordpress.com

www.daeg.org

Promoting Excellence at Home*

■ clarity of rules and feedback■ consistency of standards■ family time for challenging activities■ high degree of trust■ a sense of security and commitment■ constructive use of leisure time

■ *VanTassel-Baska. Joyce. Excellence in Educating Gifted and Talented Learners. Denver: Love Publishing Company, 1998.

Resources

CT Association for the Gifted

http://www.ctgifted.org/website/publish/home/homeList.php

Resources on gifted children

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

Darien Advocates for Education of the Giftedwww.daeg.org