Talented and Gifted Program
TAG Identification
Students can be recommended for possible TAG placement in several different ways. First, parents and community members can have a child considered for TAG by asking for a nomination form from the school's TAG designee, Meladie Gey-Burke. (The form may also be downloaded from the ACPS Web site at www.acps.k12.va.us/curriculum/tag/.) Completing the nomination form will begin the referral process. Secondly, twice per year, teachers complete a screening form for all students not yet in the TAG program. On the screening form, teachers rate students according to behaviors common in gifted students. Students receiving high ratings through the screening process are referred for the TAG program.
Students are referred for TAG placement in specific areas, and their profiles are reviewed by an identification/placement committee. This committee consists of teachers and administrators. Referral information generally includes teacher ratings of student performance in the classroom, standardized test information, grade averages, scores on an inventory of gifted characteristics, and a portfolio of creative products. Parents are asked to complete a form about their child's background and interests. They may submit additional information and work samples for their child, and may attend the identification meeting, if they choose. The information from parents is not rated and is not a determining factor in the placement decision, but does assist the committee in gaining a complete profile of the child. For specific information about criteria for qualification, contact the TAG designee, Meladie Gey-Burke, or consult the Local Plan for the Education of the Talented and Gifted. This document can be found at public libraries and on the ACPS website at www.acps.k12.va.us/curriculum/tag/.
Primary
The primary TAG program is designed to provide a challenging program for potentially gifted students in grades K-3. Students are given opportunities to enhance their creativity and develop critical-thinking skills in the primary TAG program.
The classroom teacher delivers the primary TAG program. The TAG resource teacher works with the classroom teacher to provide additional activities for these students.
A differentiated educational plan will be sent home at the beginning of each quarter which outlines objectives and activities in the identified TAG subjects.
Intermediate
The intermediate TAG program is a pullout program in which students leave their regular classroom and receive instruction in language arts and/or math. At the fifth grade level, science is also offered.
Mathematics: The TAG mathematics curriculum is rich in problem-solving opportunities. Special emphasis is placed on mental math, computational skills and estimation. It also includes the creation and use of graphs, tables, and charts. Students develop mathematical and algebraic concepts through manipulative and hands-on experiences.
Language Arts: Students read novels from the TAG literature list which includes novels from a variety of genres, both classic and contemporary. Projects and activities are assigned as students read and discuss these novels. Some of the skills developed are: understanding setting, character development, theme, mood, author's point of view, use of figurative language, expansion of vocabulary, and analysis of the aspects of good literature. Writing, research, and oral communication skills are also developed in this program.
Science: The fifth grade science program provides a balance of science content and hands-on problem-solving activities to extend science instruction. The scientific method is emphasized.
For more information on talented and gifted programs, visit the ACPS website.