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    Welcome, parents! 

    Here is some information about the AIG program:

    in North Carolina..., 

                in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County..., 

                            and at Morgan Elementary.

      If you have any  questions, do not hesitate to ask!  You can contact me via e-mail:

    Wende Powell, 3rd/5th Grade AG Teacher   wpowell@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

    **The terms AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted) and AG (Academically Gifted) are interchangeable.

      

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    What is a "gifted student"?  

    North Carolina defines academically gifted students as those who perform or show the potential to perform at substantially higher levels when compared with others of their age or environment.  Gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or both.   Academically and/or intellectually gifted students require differentiated educational services beyond those that are ordinarily provided by the regular educational program.

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    Program Description in Winston -Salem/Forsyth County Schools -- 

    The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) offers different levels of advanced instruction to meet students' academic and intellectual needs.  Differentiation of instruction begins at the elementary level and continues through middle and high school.  In our school system, the program for AIG students emphasizes development of advanced academic achievement and higher-level critical thinking and reasoning skills.  The focus for AIG students is on quality, not quantity.  Although there is more work involved in participation in the program, the work is of greater depth, sophistication and maturity.
     
    How does a child become eligible for this program?

    In the fall of second grade, all students are given two group tests - one testing a child's aptitude and one testing achievement.  Students are identified for the AIG Program based on these test results.  Depending on the student's scores, a student may be eligible for and receive AIG services in English/Language Arts, math, or both.  Schools may also review the results of the K-2 assessment or other objective tests submitted to the school system to determine eligibility. 

    WS/FCS offers various other evaluation options for students with specific situations (i.e. students who may be new to our county, testing again later in 5th grade, limited retesting opportunities, consideration of private testing results, special efforts for identifying under-represented populations.)

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    The AIG services in elementary school begin in third grade.  And here we are... 
     
     
     

    Program Description for Mrs. Powell's Classes

    In the AIG program at Morgan, students participate in both Reading and Mathematics classes every day - coming for instruction to my class.  This year's schedule allows us to have un-interrupted, concentrated time in which to complete challenging material.  Of course ... there is NEVER enough time!! :)

    In the AIG mathematics curriculum, specific goals and objectives, text, and materials used for instruction are a year above the students' grade level. ...But... students are still given their grade level End-of-Grade state test - thus, scheduling is such that they will have time in their homeroom to be exposed to these grade-specific vocabulary and skills.  The mathematics curriculum includes problem solving, logical, and reasoning skills development, along with advanced computation skills.  The skills addressed are drawn from the Common Core State Standards 

    The AIG English/Language Arts block provides students with materials and activities that elaborate upon the content, skills and products of the Common Core.  Students strengthen their vocabulary work within our novel studies.  We cover above grade-level reading curriculum objectives through an in-depth study of a variety of literature genres.
     

      Whew!!!  We are certainly busy!!

        

     

     

    Resources -- 

    A variety of sources of information and support is available to parents and others interested in the instruction of the academically gifted child.   Below you will find a list of some of these sources.    

    Hoagies' Gifted Education Website:   http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/(This is a wonderful, chock-full  overview!!  Check it out!!) 

    NCAGT/PAGE (North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented & Parents for the  Advancement of Gifted Education)  910-326-8463  www.ncagt.org

    TAG (The Association for the Gifted) Council for Exceptional Children  (CEC)    1920 Association Drive Reston, VA  22091
    www.cec.sped.org

    National Association for Gifted Children   www.nagc.org

    American Association for Gifted Children www.aagc.org

    Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools   http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us

     

     

    Recommended Books and Journals:

    Gifted Child Quarterly / Parenting for High Potential   Published by NAGC  1707 L Street, NW, Suite 550  Washington, DC  20036

    G/C/T (Gifted Child Today)   Prufrock Press   100 N. Sixth Street,  Suite 400 Waco, TX  76701

    Growing Up Gifted:  Developing the Potential of Children at Home and at School by Dr. Barbara Clark  Prentice-Hall (ISBN:  0135696585)

    Gifted Kids' Survival Guide  Dr. Judy Galbraith  Free Spirit Publishing (ISBN:  1575420538)

     

        

     

      People to contact in our school system -- 

    If problems arise regarding evaluation or services for your child, or if you have questions regarding the AIG program, these people can be of assistance.  It is strongly recommended that they be contacted in this order:

            

    Information obtained from

    Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Division of Instructional Services, Academically/Intellectually Gifted, WS/FCS AIG Handbook, (Winston-Salem, NC: 2008)