1 of 11

Teacher Name and Date

Please keep this slide for attribution.

WCPSS �3rd Grade Explorers�

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik.

2 of 11

Wake County Schools’ Vision for the local AIG Plan

All Wake County Public School System

students will be prepared to reach their

full potential and lead productive lives in

a complex and changing world.

�~from the 2022-25 WCPSS AIG Plan

3 of 11

Team Effort

Students

AIG Teacher

3^rd Grade Teachers

3^rd Grade Explorers

4 of 11

3^rd Grade Explorers Classes

Students who demonstrate high potential in the activities will receive enrichment/ extension activities in language arts and/or math under the guidance of the AIG teacher.

Whole Group Experiences

Small Group Experiences

The AIG teacher works in partnership with 3rd grade classroom teachers to serve as talent scouts, in order to

provide a variety of in-class experiences designed to elicit high academic performance.

What is a Talent Scout? An AIG teacher who searches for students who have academic gifts and challenges that are not being met in the regular classroom setting

5 of 11

Explorers

Classes

Whole class introductory lessons in the fall semester in each 3^rd grade classroom
Units of study include reading/language arts, math, and writing aligned with the 3^rd Grade NC State Standards
Observations of student performance and products
Small group enrichment activities facilitated by the AIG teacher based on classroom teacher and AIG teacher observations

There are several components of 3^rd Grade Explorers.

The AIG Teacher leads whole class demonstration lessons within the 3rd grade classroom for all students. Both the AIG and the classroom teacher are present at this time to note student responses and to observe student performance. The AIG teacher is acting as a Talent Scout. Searching for high achieving students and/or students who show depth of thinking and critical thinking skills.

The AIG and the classroom teacher collaborate to discuss individual student performance. Discussions with the AIG and classroom teacher can include individual student performance may include rubrics, checklists, teacher conferences, etc. Observational checklists are used to identify students whose responses reflect characteristics of high achieving students for further enrichment.

Following the demonstration lessons, the AIG teacher works with small groups of students to provide enrichment activities, offering opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate gifted behaviors. Performance products are collected and used in the AIG nomination and referral process in the spring semester.

6 of 11

Criteria for Small Group Participation

Observational checklists by the AIG and classroom teachers
Rubrics for the products
Student communication skills
Student interest
Student motivation

Groups are flexible as the units of study change. Participation in a small group experience does not mean that a student has been or will be identified for future AIG services.

Once the whole class Explorer’s lessons are completed the AIG teacher will work with the classroom teacher to consider which students might be the best candidates for a small group Explorer’s. The criteria listed on this slide are some of the criteria teacher consider when creating small groups. Due the the change in topics and students performance, AIG and classroom teachers may choice to select different students for different units of study and/or for different subjects. The goal is to is how to best meet the needs of the students. Even though a student may be a part of the small group, this does NOT mean the child has or will be identified as AIG. Teachers are trying to find the best candidates for AIG services and students will still need to be formally reviewed by the SBCGE before being referred for AIG services.

7 of 11

AIG Identification Process

AIG Timeline

First Semester

Collaborative planning with Third Grade Teachers
CogAT Exposure for all third grade with AIG Teacher
CogAT Screening will take place
Whole Class Instruction with AIG Teacher
Small group instruction with AIG teacher
Groups are fluid and flexible
Participation in small group doesn’t identify students

Second Semester

Students may qualify for AIG services based on screening results (CogAT & Iowa)
For students that demonstrate gifts/talents outside of standardized testing:

Portfolio data collection could be used

Portfolio data collection requires multiple points of data
SBCGE reviews this data for referral and/or identification decisions

AIG Services will begin for students that qualify (during 4th quarter)

If a student is referred but not identified, they are served in Talent Development
Talent Development students are served with AIG students

8 of 11

AIG Identification Process

AIG Covid 19 Third Grade Portfolio (2020-2021 only)

Grade Level Assessments
Gifted Rating Scale
3rd Grade Explorers Data
3rd Grade Work Samples
Historical Data
At least 3 exemplary classroom work samples
Student Learning Behaviors
Student Performance

Language Arts and Math Grades
iStation Data
Student portfolios and work samples

Student Interest
Student Motivation

9 of 11

Portfolios

03

02

Student work samples

Products

Rubrics and Journals

Teacher and Parent Checklists

04

01

Portfolios will be part of the AIG identification process for 3^rd grade students.

10 of 11

Keeping You Informed…..

District Based Information:

WCPSS Advanced Learning Services Site
WCPSS AIG Program Brochure
WCPSS AIG Program Brochure (Spanish)

School Based Information:

Parent informational meetings
School newsletters
School/ AIG teacher website
Email for questions and answers

11 of 11

Our goal is to support classrooms with educators working together

to help each student grow and develop to their full potential.

~ AIG Plan goal for Explorers