Gifted student program in public schools? (Columbia, Summit: theater, school district, moving)

[lisake]

My kindergartener was accepted into the gifted student program here in Memphis, and I'm wondering about equivalent programs in SC (we may be moving there this summer). Here, it's based strictly on reading for K-grade 2. They must read two grade levels ahead, and then twice a week they go to CLUE (Creative Learning in a Unique Environment), where they do advanced reading, logic puzzles, reasoning exercises, brainstorming, group problem-solving, etc. They also go on field trips about once a month and are challenged a bit more than in their regular classroom. They're considered special needs students, so extra effort is made to ensure that they don't become bored or unchallenged in school.

So what are the criteria for academically talented and gifted public school student in Columbia? What sort of activities do they do?

Thanks in advance for any information.

[waccamatt]

I've been out of school for quite awhile, but all of the schools I attended in the Columbia area had gifted and talented programs.

[jlboney]

I was in the Summit Program when I was in school, which was our version of the gifted and talented program. As far as I know they still have these programs, but like Waccamatt, it's been a while since I was in school.

[MemphisMeantime]

Here's a link about the Richland 2 gifted program: Richland School District Two - Excellence in Education

It's called ALERT (Active Learning Experiences in Resourceful Thinking), but it apparently doesn't begin until second grade.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by jlboney

I was in the Summit Program when I was in school, which was our version of the gifted and talented program. As far as I know they still have these programs, but like Waccamatt, it's been a while since I was in school.

I hate admitting that fact, don't you?

[jlboney]

It has become somewhat depressing as time marches on waccamatt.

[deibu]

Originally Posted by MemphisMeantime

Here's a link about the Richland 2 gifted program: Richland School District Two - Excellence in Education

It's called ALERT (Active Learning Experiences in Resourceful Thinking), but it apparently doesn't begin until second grade.

Wow, ALERT is still around!! And, I STILL remember that acronym!

I was in Richland 2's ALERT program way back in the 80's. It started in the 2nd grade back then as well (although I didn't get in the program until 3rd grade). Until 6th grade, we left our regular classes for one day a week for the ALERT classroom.

It was quite different from "regular school". Unlike regular 3rd grade classes, we could write in MANUSCRIPT and use a PEN if we wanted! We had "free time" within the class - we were allowed to play freely on the Apple ][c computers, read, or even hang out and talk quietly.

We kept journals - we'd have to write about some topic each week and then spend time writing whatever we felt like. We'd study a new "topic" each quarter and there would be a field trip (or "field study" - as they are apparently STILL called). In 4th grade, I remember we studied "Historic Columbia" and spent a couple of days touring Downtown Columbia. Someone asked the tour guide why Robert Mills chose a type of columns (Doric, Ionic or Corinthian) for the Robert Mills House! I bet that was weird coming out of a 9 year-old's mouth.

One field study each year would be overnight, and those are the most memorable... In 4th grade, we studied animal behavior and got to spend the night at Riverbanks Zoo and go behind the scenes where the lions, tigers and monkeys were caged at night. In 5th grade, we studied geology and went to NC/TN/GA border area to "pan" and dig for rocks/gems. Most memorably, in 6th grade, we studied theater and went to NYC right after Thanksgiving and got to see Cats, 42nd St. and the Radio City Christmas show. Best of all, we got to go backstage with the Rockettes and have them speak to us all about what they do for nearly an hour! We also got a tour of Radio City Music Hall and learned all about its history! Pretty cool stuff - I didn't realize how cool it was until later!

Based on the web page, looks like the program is still as good as it was then. Top teachers too - my 3rd grade ALERT teacher back in '84-'85, Ms. Vickers, is now the principal at Hand Middle School! When I emailed her a year or so ago, she remembered me!

[lisake]

Originally Posted by deibu

Wow, ALERT is still around!! And, I STILL remember that acronym!

I was in Richland 2's ALERT program way back in the 80's. It started in the 2nd grade back then as well (although I didn't get in the program until 3rd grade). Until 6th grade, we left our regular classes for one day a week for the ALERT classroom.

Thanks so much for all the great information. That helps a lot.