9/16/09  

Advanced Learner’s Program

GRADE K - 2: At times, teachers in Kindergarten thru second grade refer students to Mr. Newcomb.Usually these students demonstrate advanced reading or mathematical abilities as compared to their age peers.At times, Mr. Newcomb may pull these students out of their regular classroom for special projects. For example, last spring Mr. Newcomb met with K- 2^nd grade reading groups.He also had a small 3^rd grade math group.Participation in these groups is by recommendation of teachers only and is not to be confused with identification as gifted.Official identification does not occur until the late fall of the student’s 3^rd grade year.

GRADES 3 - 4: Raymond Elementary School identifies and serves advanced learners in the 3^rd and 4^th grades. Identification occurs in the late fall of the student’s third grade.Official differentiated programming begins in the winter of 3^rd grade and continues throughout the student’s education at RES and JSMS.  

With this information in mind, you can see that we are just beginning the identification process of 3^rd grade students at RES.Over the next two and a half months, we will be reviewing student scores on standardized tests, observing students for evidence of the characteristics and behaviors of giftedness, as well as gathering information from parents.By the Nov. holidays the 3^rd grade identification process should be complete.This includes identification in art and music as well as academic subjects.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Newcomb is also visiting each of the 3^rd grade classes over the next few weeks to deliver a series of Thinking Skills lessons.These lessons, incorporating both critical and creative thinking, are designed to both help students “think about their thinking” and to aid teachers in observing higher levels of thinking in students who don’t necessarily do well on standardized tests and measures.   If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chris Newcomb cnewcomb@windhamraymondschools.org