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K-3In grades K-3 the Discovery teacher works with classroom teachers to observe and provide programming to develop thinking skills using the P.E.T.S. (Primary Education Thinking Skills) Program. The Discovery teacher works with classroom teachers to identify students with acadmic strengths and works with students in flexible small groups to explore and develop thinking skills.
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Grades 4-8
Beginning in 4th grade, students will be considered for inclusion in the talent pool by achieving a percentile rank of 90% or above (over multiple years) on an English/Language and/or Math subtest of the ISASP and/or aReading & aMath FASTBridge Assessments. These scores will be considered along with CogAt scores (an assessment given in 4th grade). Classroom teachers will also be asked to provide feedback regarding characteristics of high ability learners they have observed in the classroom. After the data is reviewed, 4th graders and any new students in grades 5-8 who have been identified will be invited by letter into the program.
After parental permission has been received, students will meet with the Discovery teacher for an initial conference to identify student interests, strengths, and challenges. After meeting with students, the Discovery teacher will review programming goals with each family.
Each fall at conferences, the Discovery teacher will meet with previously identified students and parents to discuss current strengths, areas of challenge, and programming for the current school year. Programming will be domain specific (Language Arts and/or Mathematics) and will also include enrichment choice based options determined by need and interest.