The HGT program strives to meet the needs of the learners within the context of their own classrooms. In addition, students are integrated regularly into the culture of the general school population – through specials (art, music, P.E.), enrichment activities, drama productions, and student government.
Grade 1-2
Grades 1 and 2 HGT have a unique experience as there are two grade levels in one room. Most instruction is small group ability-based and is supplemented with centers allowing for multi-level student interaction. These types of experiences allow students to learn from their peers. Students learn to use self-paced study guides and checklists to self-monitor work completion. Students are also first introduced to the concepts of Growth Mindset, Habits of Mind and other important social skills necessary for success in life.
3rd grade HGT concentrates on social/emotional skills, as well as honing academic advancement. Students continue to work on writing (using a school-wide continuum) and reading at their own level. Content and material are often differentiated depending on the needs of the student. 3rd grade students works on math on their own level and students accelerate into upper grade levels as needed. Project based learning is a regular part of the 3rd grade experience, as are collaborative learning and problem solving, book clubs, peer reviews, oral presentations and technological inclusion into presentations and projects.
Grade 4
By 4th grade, the HGT magnet program at Southmoor Elementary School is a sanctuary for gifted kids who may often find themselves misunderstood elsewhere. It is a place where kids can be themselves, and where kids get to use their talents and curiosities to challenges themselves and their peers in the pursuit of lifelong fulfillment. 4th grade students continue to refine their writing, pursue their own reading interests, and hone their mathematical thinking and writing skills.
Grade 5
5th grade HGT prepares the students for a rigorous academic program at the middle school level. The primary social and academic goals focus on 4 key components: organization, independence, responsibility and accountability. Literacy is based on 6th grade language and vocabulary skills, and is enhanced with student created Literature Circles and Book Clubs. The bulk of the content in literacy is centered around reading historical fiction and nonfiction texts on the History of the United States from World Exploration to The Civil Rights Movement. In Math, the focus is on 5th and 6th grade math standards and Project Based Learning units. Scientific knowledge is achieved through inquiry based, hands on experiences when possible and aided by project based learning. Students dive deeper into the units and go beyond the requirements necessary for 5th grade students.
Gifted and Talented
The GT Teacher/Coordinator does all of the testing and identification for GT and HGT. This includes the information for all three data points required for identification. In the GT pullout program students who are not identified as GT, but who are accelerated readers may also participate. We focus on Literacy.
We study non-fiction and non-fiction text features for the first trimester. Each grade level works on a different topic. The second trimester we study fiction texts. Students examine the plot development, characters, and the setting. Students identified in Math receive services in the traditional classroom or through acceleration.
If you have any questions regarding our HGT Magnet program please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff members.
