ABOUT DIFFERENTIATED EDUCATION
Research shows that students who are engaged in study that is relevant to them and their real world experience, that is personally interesting to them and involves a high level of student choice, high standards, a classroom environment that addresses different student strengths and learning styles, small student to teacher ratio, and a caring teacher, have the highest student achievement, long term school success, and resiliency in the face of life's challenges. Differentiated education adapts the curriculum for every child's learning style. We take individual strengths and needs into account, and plan for each student's learning and growth. we learn our own and other's learning styles, and use meta cognition to think about thinking. Students learn about themselves as individuals and learners, and the skills to learn throughout life. We also learn how to work together as a team, and be a part of a community.
Dynamic school programs make a huge difference in our student's lives!
WHAT DO WE COVER IN GT?
Independent Research
We introduce independent research in 3rd grade, and students progress in skill level until 5th grade where they are able to work independently on self directed, teacher approved study topics.
In third grade we introduce: brainstorming, topic webs, selecting a topic and narrowing down subtopics, writing and saving word documents, word processing, saving pictures to picture folders and using slide shows to give presentations, making power points out of what has been gathered and learned in our research.
We are working on gaining fluency and independence in using technology and resources in education and self research. We are teaching our students the skills to be life long learners, and learn and achieve anything they choose as they go through life. We do not want to just force memorization of facts with no meaning to students, but to open the doors to life long education. As the saying goes, "Give a person a fish and they will eat today, teach a person TO fish and they will eat for the rest of his life!"
We want to "teach our students to fish", so they can "eat" for life, not just hand out fish that will not be there tomorrow. We are teaching them the skills to learn, so they can use those skills to advance themselves the rest of their lives.
Students gain greater levels of independent direction and ability, as we move into 4th and 5th grade, and we work on increasing the level of research, writing, editing, and time spent on projects. Often gifted students want to learn and be done with something very quickly, and in GT they are encouraged to do deeper in their work, and spend time completing projects before moving on to the next. We introduce using reliable sources and using self-evaluation, and preparing for transition to middle school and pre-ap and ap classes!
Critical and Creative Thinking
Students are challenged with logic puzzles, hands on discovery challenges, and many opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students are encouraged to explore open ended questions and develop higher order thinking skills. This increases not only student achievement in academics, but develops critical thinkers who are better equipped to navigate our world.
Affective Needs
Gifted students have distinct and specialized needs. The Gifted specialists works with students to address affective needs specific to gifted students.An important part of being ready for the job market is having collaboration skills, so students have opportunities to work in groups with peers, and also on independent interests and skill development. Gifted students often are advanced in some areas, but may struggle in others. All children need help recognizing their gifts, nurturing their abilities, learning how to get along in the world, and how to achieve to the best of their ability, while being ok with making mistakes. We address both affective needs and academic skills.
Current Events
We investigate "Time For Kids" magazines, interactive web sites, virtual field trips, places and events in our community and greater world to give students the opportunity to think, question, discuss critical world events and discoveries, increase literacy, and higher order thinking skills.
Technology
A critical component of the Gifted and Talented State Frameworks is Technology. We integrate technology into the GT program wherever possible, and strive to give student's access and experience with the latest technological advances. Technology not only increases student learning but also gives student's valuable skills for jobs and success in the world today.
Thank you so much for your support of our students and the Enhance the Chance/Gifted and Talented program at Baseline!
Baseline is excited to be a part of the Little Rock Schools District's innovation in designing programs that make our students excited to learn and want to come to school, and our families choose to stay at Baseline and the Little Rock School District. We truly value our family's input. We recognize that you have many choices when it comes to your child's education, and we are grateful that you have chosen us. We look forward to collaborating with you in our children's education!
We love to do hands on projects, and welcome any resources or community members who want to come and work with our students as guest demonstrators or mentors! We are always glad to take donations of technology, computers, printers and ink, paint, crafts, K'nex kits, science experiment kits or materials, and any hands on educational materials!