• Experiences and Exposures

    The purpose of programming in Kindergarten-2nd grade is to expose all students in those grades to activities and tasks that require various kinds of higher-order thinking, such as divergent and inventive thinking. All Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students will participate in these activities. In 2nd grade, all students participate in readiness activities, such as verbal analogies and pattern completion, in preparation for the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT.) Classroom teachers provide differentiated instruction for students who demonstrate advanced learning needs in specific academic areas. The AIG specialist may consult with the teachers to provide support in planning. Sometimes, depending on scheduling and student need, the AIG specialist may work with small groups of Kindergarten-2nd grade students on specific skills or tasks. Student performance data will be used to make grouping decisions, and these groups are fluid, flexible, and rotate throughout the year.

    While very few students in Kindergarten-2nd grade are formally identified as AIG, classroom teachers provide differentiation for budding advanced learners based on demonstrated needs. This can include leading guided reading groups with above-grade-level texts, providing challenge center activities in math, and offering inquiry-based activities in science. Sometimes, based on availability and student need, AIG specialists may work with small groups of students inside or outside the classroom. These groups are fluid, flexible, and rotate throughout the year.