Robyn Burris
Julie Scully
Elisa Denkler
Visit the Fern Bluff TAG Team Website
What is TAG?
TAG Testing
Characteristics of Gifted Children
Links to Gifted Sites
What is TAG?
The Round Rock ISD Programs for Talented and Gifted (TAG) students
provide special classes and/or services for students identified as
having significantly advanced general intellectual ability and/or
specific subject matter aptitude. TAG classes and/or services are
available in Kindergarten-5th grades at elementary, 6th-8th grades
at middle school, and 9th-12th grades at high school.
These programs provide an appropriately differentiated curriculum
and ensure the students are instructed in all essential elements and
demonstrate an acceptable degree of mastery. As needed, the
programs modify delivery of instruction for students by accelerating
and providing for greater depth, more complex content, and extensive
enrichment activities.
Program Objectives for students
1. Gifted and talented students will develop their abilities in
higher level, more complex thinking skills including critical,
creative, and productive thinking activities that are extensions of
the regular curriculum (Thinking Skills).
2. Gifted and talented students will study advanced-level content
and master the major concepts, skills, and processes of specific
disciplines in which they demonstrate ability (Subject Mater
Knowledge and Skills).
3. Gifted and talented students will develop the skills necessary
for self-directed learning, conduct independent studies and research
projects, and extend the regular curriculum to produce
advanced-level products (Research and Independent Study Skills).
4. Gifted and talented students will gain an understanding and
respect for each person's abilities, recognizing the similarities
and differences between themselves and others, and will develop
their own unique abilities for the betterment of both themselves and
others (Self-Concept and Leadership).
Student Goals for Gifted/Talented Education
Thinking Skills
Gifted/talented students will develop their abilities in the higher
level, more complex thinking skills (including critical, creative,
and productive thinking) that are extensions of regular curriculum.
Subject Matter Knowledge and Skills
Gifted/Talented students will study advanced-level content and
master the major concepts, skills and processes of specific
disciplines in which they demonstrate ability.
Research and Independent Study Skills
Gifted/talented students will develop the skills necessary for
self-directed learning and will conduct independent studies and
research projects that extend the regular curriculum and result in
advanced-level products.
Self-Concept Leadership
Gifted/talented students will gain an understanding and respect for
each person's abilities, recognizing the likenesses and differences
between themselves and others,
and will develop their own unique abilities for the betterment of
both themselves and society.
Testing
and Identification
Should I Nominate?
Considerations:
1. Maturity of Student -- especially for primary.
2. Learning Style of Student -- self-directed, able to handle
open-ended tasks and long range planning.
3. Length of Testing -- especially for younger children --
approximately a total of 8 hours
4. Nationally Normed Test Scores are used for two years.
How Do I Nominate?
1. Attend parent information meeting held by TAG Teachers.
2. Meet with student's teacher to review available test scores and
discuss student's progress and learning style.
3. Complete Nomination Form and Permission to Test in Student
Identification Packet (download from link on this site) and turned
in at the scheduled time.
Checklist for Parents of Potential TAG Nominees
· Conference with your child's classroom teacher to discuss his/her
potential success in the TAG program.
· Attend TAG Nomination Information Meeting
· Return completed Nomination Form and Permission to Test to the
school office by the designated deadline. Please note that the
Nomination Form is available on-line.
Characteristics of Gifted Children
Children Who Are Gifted in Language Arts...
· Play with language orally or in writing
· Love language
· Pursue activities both in and out of school related to language
· Love to read and read books significantly (three to four years)
above grade level
· Write spontaneously without prodding
Children Who Are Gifted in Mathematics...
· Have an extraordinary interest in numbers, their manipulation,
use, and application
· Are fascinated with numbers and demonstrate unique approaches to
mathematical problem solving
· Apply without assistance what he/she has learned about numbers and
mathematics to everyday life
Gifted Learners May Possess the Following Traits
· Be intellectually curious, innovative, and playful with ideas
· Enjoy the challenge and involvement of intellectual and creative
tasks
· Have a keen and sometimes unique sense of humor
· Develop attitudes and interests at an early age which lead to
divergent and nonconformist behavior
· Formulate abstractions and show facility in moving form concrete
to abstract levels of thinking and of communicating
· Prefer complex tasks and process information in complex ways
· Read at an early age and comprehend with advanced comprehension
· Read widely and intensively in areas of special interest
· Acquire basic skill rapidly with minimum practice
Bright Child
Knows the answer
Is interested
Is attentive
Has good ideas
Works hard
Answers the questions
Top group
Listens with interest
Listens with ease
6-8 repetitions
Understands
Enjoys peers
Grasps meaning
Completes projects
Is receptive
Copies accurately
Enjoys school
Absorbs information
Technician
Good memorizer
Is alert
Is pleased with own learning
Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentations
Gifted Child
Asks the questions
Is highly curious
Is mentally and physically involved
Has wild and silly ideas
Plays around yet tests well
Discusses in detail
Beyond the group
Shows strong feelings and opinions
Already knows
1-2 repetitions
Constructs abstructions
Prefers adults
Draws inferences
Initiates projects
Is intense
Creates new designs
Enjoys learning
Manipulates information
Inventor
Good Guesser
Is keenly observant
Is highly self-critical
Thrives on complexity
by Janice Svabos
Challenge Magazine, 1985
Links to Gifted Sites
Gifted & Talented Links
Gifted
Education Resources
National Association
of Gifted Children
NEAG Center for Gifted
Education
Hoagies Gifted
Education Page
NAGC Gifted Children Quarterly
Texas
Association for the Gifted and Talented
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