What does ELP look like at each grade level?

Chart of elp servicesKindergarten – 2nd grade

As early as Pre-school or Kindergarten, a child may need some kind of modification of the regular curriculum. Students who start school already reading, for example, need opportunities and materials to read. A student strong in math will need opportunities to investigate patterns and concepts that go beyond the memorization of math facts. Some children have very high academic needs but also need support to have social/emotional needs met. The elementary ELP staff both facilitates and provides these types of modifications. Students are not often pulled out, unless this is the most appropriate way to meet specific needs. The ELP teacher works with large and small groups within the classroom when appropriate. Just as a child grows and changes dramatically between Pre-school and grade five, so too, does the ELP program change. In conjunction with many experienced and well-trained teachers, the ELP staff works hard to respond to the academic, social, and emotional needs of the elementary student body. Those with a strong need to have most curriculum adjusted will be placed on a personalized education plan (PEP).

3rd – 5th grade

In the middle level elementary school setting, interactions with the Extended Learning Program and staff often increase as consistent data over time often dictates that more students are identified.

Support for classroom teachers and ELP students

  • Guides – characteristics of gifted students
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Professional resources
  • Higher-level resources for students

Collaboration with classroom teachers

  • Whole-class literature – variety of books and extension activities
  • Math extensions – problem solving, critical thinking, writing about math, game strategies
  • Research units – social studies, science
  • Contests

Pull-out

  • Literature units
  • Monitor independent reading
  • Math extensions – problem-solving, critical thinking, writing about math, game strategies
  • Contests
  • Investigative research

Individual modifications

  • Facilitate math acceleration
  • Facilitate mentorships
  • One-on-one assistance

Curriculum Differentiation and Extra-Curricular Opportunities

  • Thinking skills instruction and practice
  • Interest inventories
  • Multiple Intelligences teaching strategies
  • Group investigations
  • Inquiry activities
  • Enrichment activities
  • Accelerated curriculum
  • Service learning problem solving
  • Curriculum compacting
  • Independent study
  • Advanced reading material
  • Mentorships
  • Competitions
  • Summer talent/gifted opportunities information

6th – 7th grade

Sixth Grade Programming

Classroom teachers differentiate the curriculum to meet the varying needs of students. Strategies such as testing out of materials, enrichment projects, or advanced content materials may be used. Students identified as needing Classroom Enrichment (CE) receive services through their classroom teacher and may be grouped and re-grouped for appropriate services. The ELP teacher supports differentiation through modeling strategies, providing resources, and working with students as needed.

Other students are identified with strengths in a specific academic area such as Science/Technology/Engineering/Math or Humanities. Their needs may be met through the classroom teacher also, but often are grouped more frequently for differentiated services, such as moving at a faster pace, or reading above grade level content. Children are offered various opportunities to extend themselves, which also helps determine the need for future services. Some students will be scheduled into a short-term ELP class to meet specific content needs.

At the end of sixth grade, all students in the district are reviewed for math placement.  Some students are recommended for regular seventh grade math, and some for a faster-paced, compacted math. Students who are not ready for the accelerated Compacted Math class will be taking Algebra their freshman year of high school. By 10th or 11th grade, they may decide to accelerate by taking two years of math during the same year.

Some students at the highest need for adaptive services are identified as intellectually gifted in all academic areas. These students are clustered in a classroom with students of similar ability with a Personalized Educational Plan (PEP) developed.  Several of the PEP students who are highly gifted in math may be “double accelerated” by moving into Compacted Math (advanced 7th grade curriculum) by the start of their 6th grade year.  This move is done through the direction of the district Math Coordinator and only after careful review and consultation.

7th Grade Programming

Many students are served through cluster groups in the regular classroom enrichment.  Options are provided within the classroom, much like sixth grade. For those identified as strength areas or PEP level, Extended Studies classes which are six to twelve weeks in length, help meet the increasingly diverse needs of high ability students.  They are available for qualified students in areas such as math, science, writing, research, exploration of social-emotional issues, communication and speech, and law-related education. Students with strength areas are clustered in classrooms with others of similar ability to facilitate modifications. Students are served in math by continuing the sequence determined at the end of 6th grade..

8th – 9th grade

Students may be qualified for advanced courses in area(s) of strength in math, science, and language arts. Identification and notification comes from the district level. Those with a high need for curriculum adjustments will be placed on a PEP.

Eighth grade opportunities may include:

  • Appropriate level of math: often Algebra I or Geometry
  • Advanced Science
  • Advanced Language Arts class
  • Exploratory classes of interest
  • ELP pull-out class during Character/Career class
  • Extra Curricular Activities & Competitions

Ninth grade opportunities may include:

  • ELP 9 Self-Study class
  • ELP teacher assistance to coordinate special projects, academic acceleration and planning
  • Advanced Language Arts 9
  • Geometry or Algebra II/Trigonometry
  • Biology
  • Extra-Curricular Activities & Competitions

10th – 12th grade

At the Johnston High School level, ELP staff can coordinate with classroom teachers to provide the following services.

Curriculum Differentiation

  • Enrichment activities
  • Accelerated Curriculum
  • PEP
  • Curriculum compacting
  • Independent study
  • Advanced reading material

Curricular Opportunities

  • Scheduling flexibility
  • Independent study
  • Advanced courses in the visual and performing arts
  • ELP class
  • Electives available in all curricular areas
  • Online courses
  • Dual Enrollment courses
  • AP courses

Extracurricular Opportunities

  • Creative opportunities (drama, poetry and creative writing competitions)
  • Mentorships
  • Competitions
  • Information about gifted/talented programs available from colleges and institutions during summer and outside the school day