Overview 

The Georgia State Department of Education defines a gifted student as “. . . a student who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual, creative and/or artistic ability, possesses exceptional leadership skills, or excels in specific academic fields and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities.” This course is designed to bring gifted children together to experience a variety of challenging activities through research skills, critical thinking and problem-solving. Georgia Standards of Excellence will be taught through interdisciplinary units that include mini projects, enrichment, extended activities, and a technology component.   

How is the Gifted and Talented curriculum different? 

Student instruction is based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). Students engage in 2-4 interdisciplinary units throughout the year. Interdisciplinary units include Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and/or Science. The gifted and talented units will differentiate the GSEs according to the following Gifted Standards: 

• Advanced Critical Thinking 
• Advanced Communication Skills 
• Advanced Research Skills 
• Creative Problem Solving 

The difference is not in what is taught but how it is taught. Students will have opportunities to think more in depth, critically, and creatively about the GSE. The enriched environment creates exposure opportunities for gifted students. They will practice advanced research skills which will ultimately prepare them for advanced learning at the middle school, high school, and college levels. 

The Goal of the Gifted Program at BEST Academy 6-12 is to provide students opportunities that stretch thinking beyond the regular classroom curriculum with enrichment involving STEM. Through the gifted program, we seek to empower students to become creative thinkers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers. Research has shown that children who are continually learning and who can apply new knowledge to complex, novel, open – ended challenges will perform confidently and competently in 21st century learning. The gifted program curriculum is enriched and accelerated to meet the students’ learning needs using project-based learning, hands-on lessons, and analytical thinking skill units.  We work to meet the intellectual, academic, social, and emotional needs of our gifted students. 

Materials and Learning Resources

• Promethean Board  
• Media Center 
• Student Laptops with built-in Wi-Fi 
• Units/Projects Games and puzzles 
• Field trips, Books, Magazines, Newspapers 
• Competitions 

Georgia Standards of Excellence

The Georgia Standards of Excellence will be continually taught in all classes.   

Interdisciplinary Learning Units

Cooperative groups will consist of research, creative thinking, creative writing, visualization, and oral presentations. 

• Participation in district, local, and national competitions
  • Academic Bowl, Science Fair, Social Studies Fair 
• Critical thinking and higher order activities.
  • Each class is opened by discussing a “Just Think” activity. 
• Project-based learning
  • Students will have at least two projects per semester. 

Grading Scale

Students will be evaluated with a rubric for each assignment. Students will receive a PASS (100 – 70) or FAIL (69 – 0) for academic content as well as conduct/behavior for our gifted class.  Ideally, gifted students will score 85 and above. 

Class Expectations: 

• Follow directions the first time they are given. 
• Be prepared for class, bring required materials to class every day, unless otherwise told by the teacher. 
• Listen and stay seated when someone is speaking. 
• Submit assignments on time 
• Treat everyone and their property respectfully, remember the Golden Rule: “Treat others the same as you want them to treat you.”  Policies/Regulations 
• Progress Reports will be issued at week 4.5, week 9, week 13.5 and week 18. 
• Report Cards will be issued at end of the semester. 

Information Regarding No Zeros 

• Students do not receive zeros for missing work. 50 is the lowest failing grade assigned to student work. 
• Students will have numerous opportunities to improve their grade. 
• Parents will be contacted when projects have not been completed. 

Daily Items Needed 

• Pencils 
• Colored pencils 
• Jump drive or flash drive 2GB or 4GB   

Contacts:

Mrs. Patricia Gibson
MS Gifted Lead
pdgibson@apsk12.org

Mrs. Leah Saffo
HS Gifted Lead
leah.saffo@apsk12.org

BEST Academy 6-12
1190 Northwest Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-802-4950