Mini School
for Highly Able Learners
Guiding Questions
Part 1: Highly Able Learners
•
Who are our highly able learners?
•
What do we consider when programming for highly able learners?
•
What options do we have in Burnaby for highly able learners at a secondary level?
Part 11: The New Mini School at Alpha
•
What is the program?
•
What is the application process?
The Mini School
•
District Program designed for highly able students
•
September 2015- Grade 8
Cohort A
Cohort B
•
September 2016- Grade 8
Cohort A
Cohort B
Cohort A
Cohort B
Grade 9
•
Located at Alpha Secondary
Key Points
Who are our highly able
learners?
Common Characteristics of Highly
Able Students
•
Highly curious
•
Abstract thinkers
•
Clever sense of humour
•
Superior vocabulary
•
Strong feelings and opinions
•
Original and creative
•
Extraordinary capacity to remember and process information
•
Intuitive
•
Advanced ardent interests
*adapted from Gross, MacLeod, Drummond & Merrick (2001), Clark (1983), Baska (1989) & Kanevsky (1999)
Unique Cognitive Profile
•
benefit from less repetition and more time spent on higher
level thinking tasks than age peers
•
benefit from increased depth, pacing and complexity
•
gifted students capable of abstract reasoning up to three
years earlier than age peers
•
benefit from opportunity to connect with and engage in
complex tasks with likeminded peers
Unique
Social
Emotional
Profile
Options for
Highly Able
Secondary
Students
In Burnaby…
•Mini
School for Highly Able Learners
at Alpha
•Alpha
Discovery Program
•Alpha
Twice-Exceptional Program
•AP
and Capstone Programs
•Honours
Programs
•Leadership
and Mentorship
Opportunities
PROGRAM DESIGN
• Cohort for core subject areas
(English, Social Studies, Math and Science)
• Physical Education, Applied Skills, French and
electives are with the Alpha School Community
• Flexible scheduling to allow for compacted
curriculum and Independent Directed Study
Independent Directed Study
•
Teacher as mentor
•
Self-directed study in area of interest
•
Flexible scheduling
•
Opportunity for additional credit when
graduating
Capitalizing on student
strength
“If we all did the things we were capable of
doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
-Thomas Edison
What does the program look
like?
CONTENT
PROCESS
PRODUCT
ENVIRONMENT
•
Compacted BC Curriculum
•
Directed study credit in pursuit
of passion area
•
Increased pace, depth and
complexity of content
•
Integration of student interest
CONTENT
An instructional model that focuses
on:
•
Individual development and identity
•
Seminars, inquiry, and in-depth
study
•
Self-directed study
•
Interdisciplinary study
•
Building community connections
•
Technology Integration
PROCESS
Assignments that:
•
Encourage the synthesis not
summarization of information
•
Are open-ended with a high
ceiling
•
Reflect not only knowledge, but
also the ability to manipulate
ideas
•
Encourage self-reflection
PRODUCT
•
Community of like-minded peers
•
Flexible work space
•
Technology available to facilitate selfdirected learning
•
Connection with Alpha Community
ENVIRONMENT
The Mini School has two classes…
The students nominated for Cohort A are those who would
benefit from support in the production of written
communication.
Walt Disney
Lady Gaga
Whoopi Goldberg
Leonardo
DaVinci
Albert Einstein
Bill Gates
Robin Williams
Alexander
Graham Bell
Winston Churchill
Thomas Edison
Agatha Christie
Jane Goodall
Walt Disney
Whoopi Goldberg
Leonardo
DaVinci
Albert Einstein
Robin Williams
Alexander
Graham Bell
Winston Churchill
Thomas Edison
Agatha Christie
Cohort A
Writing is like a vehicle…
student
teacher
What does Cohort A offer?
Cohort A
COHORT A
•
Instruction revolves specifically around the student’s interests
and strengths
•
Evaluation based on content, not ability to communicate is writing
•
Writing remediation best practises to improve written
communication
•
Emphasis on assisted technology
•
Instruction and support to build executive function
WHICH OPTION IS BEST
FOR YOUR CHILD?
Cohort A
Cohort B
The Mini School Provides…
•
a community of like-minded peers
•
increased pace, depth and complexity
•
emphasis on building self-advocacy skills
•
opportunity to obtain additional credit in areas of interest
Candidate Identification
Candidates do not need a
formal Gifted “P” designation t
o
apply to the program
•
High intellectual and creative potential
•
Intellectually curious
•
Strong desire to be in this type of learning environment
•
Demonstrated task commitment
•
Social responsibility and collaboration with other learners
•
COHORT A: Specific language-based learning difference related to written
output
Selection Criteria:
•
Cognitive Abilities Assessment
•
Short written component
•
Application Package:
Parent Input Form
Student Input Form
School Input Form
Report Cards
If applicable, Psych. Ed and Individualized
Education Plan (IEP)
The Alpha Community
Looking ahead to
Grade 10 and beyond
Application Process
SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES:
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Online Mini School Program
Application (need pupil number)
•
Online School Input Form
•
Student Input Form (to be
printed and completed by the
student at the school)
•
Two most recent report cards
•
If applicable, copy of IEP and
psycho-educational assessment
•Online Parent Input Form
•If applicable, copy of psychoeducational assessment
Application Timeline
•
Online Application: November 24th-January 16th
•
Cognitive Assessment Dates: February 23rd-27th
-Cognitive abilities assessment and writing sample
•
Notifications: March 30th -April 3rd
For more information…
http://blogs.sd41.bc.ca/advancedlear
ning/
Contact June Evans at the Burnaby School Board
[email protected]
“In the ways and to the extent that students are
similar, their education should be similar.
In the ways and to the extent that students are
different, their education should be different.”
-Dr. Lannie Kanevsky
Questions