COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER: GTE 537

COURSE DISCIPLINE: Gifted Education

INSTRUCTOR: Julia Link Roberts, Ed.D.

SEMESTER AND YEAR: Spring, 2003

INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICE: Tate Page Hall 401

INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICE NUMBER: 270.745.6323

INSTRUCTOR'S EMAIL: julia.roberts@wku.edu

GRADUATE CATALOG DESCRIPTION: The curriculum and the learning environment in meeting the unique and advanced needs of gifted students. Strategies particularly suitable for the gifted.

PREREQUISITES: GTE 536 is recommended.

REQUIRED TEXT: VanTassel-Baska, J., & Little, C.A. (2003). Content-based curriculum for high-ability learners. Prufrock Press, Inc.: Waco, TX.

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS: Clark, B. (2002). Growing up gifted: Developing the potential of children at home and at school (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

Winebrenner, S. (2001). Teaching gifted kids in the regular classroom. Free Spirit Publishing: Minneapolis, MN.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Use the Gifted Program Standards to examine a school's or district's services for gifted students.
2. Describe the GSSP and its essential components.
3. Preassess a class and analyze thee results.
4. Design learning experiences with content, process, and product.
5. Write plans using various teaching strategies.
6. Plan an interdisciplinary thematic unit.
7. Examine and critique curriculum models for gifted learners.
8. Provide examples of strategies to differentiate the curriculum.

STANDARDS:
Kentucky Experienced Teacher Standards

• Standard 1: Demonstrate professional leadership
• Standard 2: Demonstrate knowledge of content
• Standard 3: Design and plan instruction
• Standard 4: Create and maintain a supportive learning climate
• Standard 5: Implement and manage instruction
• Standard 6: Assess and communicate learning results
• Standard 7: Reflect on and evaluate teaching and learning
• Standard 8: Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and others
• Standard 9: Engage in professional development
• Standard 10: Demonstrate implementation of technology

CEC Performance-based Standards - Gifts/Talents

• Standard 1: Foundations
• Standard 2: Development and characteristics of learners
• Standard 3: Individual learning differences
• Standard 4: Instructional strategies
• Standard 5: Learning environments/social interactions
• Standard 6: Language
• Standard 7: Instructional planning
• Standard 8: Assessment
• Standard 9: Professional and ethical practice
• Standard 10: Collaboration

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

• Asynchronous Discussion
• Reading
• Written assignments (preassessment, planning lessons using a variety of teaching strategies, a thematic unit of study)
• Application of strategies

GRADING FOR GTE 537:

In GTE 537 the "one size fits all" approach will not meet the needs of each of you. Therefore, your grade will be based on:
1. Your preparation for and participation in class discussion.
2. The contract/s you negotiate with the instructor (1 for a B and 2 for an A).
3. The thematic interdisciplinary curriculum you develop.
4. Completion of assignments in a comprehensive manner commensurate with the grade.

Work on the contract/s must:
1. Be original work (not a series of duplicated materials or work you or someone else has done previously).
2. Contain a written summary and bibliography of the resources used.
3. Involve a brief presentation to the class which highlights what you learned.
4. Be commensurate in quality with the contracted grade.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to participate in discussions twice a week.

PLAGARISM POLIGY: Plagiarism will result in failing the course.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustment and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD. Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Students Disability Services.