"Think
left
and
think
right
and
think
low
and
think
high.
Oh,
the
thinks
you
can
think
up
If
only
you
try!"
-
Dr.
Seuss
Course Description: The Prince William County Gifted Education Program began in 1976, and is referred to as SIGNET, an acronym for Schools Involved in Gifted Needs in Education Today. The activities used in this course of study support increased levels of complexity. Students identified for gifted education services must have instructional time with age level peers, instructional time with intellectual and academic peers, and time to work independently. The essential elements of the curriculum include study centers, interdisciplinary units, and time with the Gifted Resource Teacher.
Philosophy: The students served by the Gifted Education Program at the middle school level are unique in both their abilities and achievements. The program recognizes and strives to provide for the diversity of the academic, interpersonal, and emotional needs of each student in an appropriate
- Critical Thinking: Students use various types of reasoning, interpret and evaluate information, and draw accurate conclusions.
- Creative Thinking: Students use various idea creation techniques, create new and meaningful ideas, and evaluate those ideas.
- Conceptual Thinking: Students use patterns or connections between abstract ideas to organize thinking and develop concepts or rules.
- Communication: Students communicate effectively in a variety of forms, contexts and for a variety of purposes.
- Collaboration: Students work effectively and respectfully with others and assume shared responsibilities.
Self-Directed Learning: Students set goals, accept challenges, persist in their effort, work efficiently, and reflect on their progress or final product.
Interpersonal Affective Goals: To provide an environment conducive to:
- Respect for self and others
- Productive group and individual work within an intellectually risk-free setting
- Fostering the curiosity to be a lifelong learner
- Meeting the needs of gifted middle school students