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Gifted and Talented (GT)
Teacher The primary purpose of the Gifted and Talented program (GT) is to serve the academically gifted and talented students of our school district. Students are identified for this program by assessment on a standardized cognitive test, achievement tests, in combination with teacher recommendation scores. Identified elementary students receive pull out services in a resource room provided by the GT teacher. ISD 196 has selected the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test, administered to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in September, to measure cognitive ability. To measure academic learning students in grades 2 through 5 take MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests in math and reading in the fall and again in the spring. If a child qualifies for GT, a letter of notification is sent home to the child's parents. The GT curriculum includes units in creative thinking, critical thinking, problem solving, invention, research, and selected special topics. Although the GT curriculum may include some enrichment activities that relate to the classroom curriculum, it is not designed to accelerate any academic areas taught in the classroom. Core curriculum enrichment is handled within the regular classroom and may include ability grouping for certain subject areas. Flexible grouping techniques are also used within the regular classroom to meet the needs of high ability students. Enrichment Enrichment groups are designed to help classroom teachers challenge those students who have a particular academic strength or interest. Prior to the third grade, students may be selected to participate in enrichment groups with other students of high ability (those performing above regular expectations) at their grade level. Criteria for inclusion in Enrichment classes are determined by the Oak Ridge GT and classroom teachers. Content covered in these groups may be subject-specific (i.e., math or reading), or in areas such as research or problem solving. These groups are flexible so that some students may be part of one or two during the year, while other students may be included in groups throughout the year. New this year in the area of enrichment is the opportunity for students in grades 4 and 5 to develop their math skills on Math Teams. Meeting regularly to practice problem solving strategies and skills during math time, math team members will participate in five Math Olympiad competitions between November and March. Finally, in Integration Enrichment, the GT teacher works with a broader range of learners to provide enrichment activities in math and reading with some focus on higher level thinking skills. Some of these skills will be taught as whole class activities, while others will be done with small groups of students who demonstrate strengths in critical and creative thinking. Finally, in Integration Enrichment, the GT teacher works with a broader range of learners to provide enrichment activities in math and reading with some focus on higher level thinking skills. Some of these skills will be taught as whole class activities, while others will be done with small groups of students who demonstrate strengths in critical and creative thinking. Do you know about the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented? It is a nonprofit organization of parents and professionals dedicated to promoting better understanding of, and curriculum for, gifted and talented children. The MCGT office is an important source of information on gifted and talented topics in Minnesota. In addition to providing support to local chapters and developing chapters, MCGT publishes a bimonthly newsletter; participates in a national network through its affiliation with the National Association for Gifted Children and other organizations; sponsors an annual state conference with a special children's program; offers information, literature and referral services; and is active in legislative efforts on the state level in collaboration with the Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented (MEGT). You can receive information about membership to MCGT by writing to: Here are some links to websites that may be helpful to you!
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