Differentiated

Education Plan
Meeting
Pineville Elementary
Fall 2017
 Meet Mrs. Caldwell
From Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad at Penn State and
Robert Morris University
Gifted Certification at Queens
Married 7 years to Andrew, 16
years together!
1 son, Aydin, fourth grade in
Union County
1 daughter, Presley, 1 years
10th year teaching
Pineville for 5 years, Barringer
Academic Center for 5 years
Fourth full year as the TD teacher
and 3rd year as PL Lead
Our Meeting Goals:
Explore how the needs of gifted and high-ability learners
are met through the Catalyst Model.

Experience snapshots of gifted curriculum and

resources and how we are integrating them into
instruction at Pineville.

Review the Differentiated Education Plan and the TD

Performance Review for 3rd-5th graders.
TD Catalyst Teacher Responsibilities
Provides professional development for staff on
instructional best practices in gifted education
Models best teaching practices
Utilizes collaboration and consultation skills to
implement the TD Catalyst Model
Provides assignments, activities, contracts, and
other learning opportunities to assist teachers in
differentiating curriculum
 TD Catalyst Model
An organizational delivery model in which the
TD teacher and the classroom teacher(s) work
collaboratively to meet the needs of gifted
and high ability learners.
The TD Catalyst Model.
Joint effort by TD Catalyst Teachers and Classroom
Teachers
Allows classroom and TD teacher to design &
implement frequent differentiated educational
experiences for gifted and high-ability students
Includes co-teaching whole group mini-lessons,
small group lessons, individual conferring
Modeling of higher level strategies
 Benefits of Catalyst Model
Gifted education & general education
are related, connected, and integrated.
The pace of learning is enhanced.
High achieving students receive more
challenging tasks within the classroom.
Classroom and TD Teachers work together to
maximize student learning.
Curriculum
Our Curriculum
Differentiated Instruction
Interest/Choice Projects
Learning Contracts
Tailored small group
instruction
Curriculum compacting
Greater depth of
exploration
Subject integration
Standard curriculum
extensively supplemented
with research-based
gifted resources &
strategies
William & Mary Language
Arts Units
Jacobs Ladder
Project M3 Math
Hands-On Equations
 Literacy Resources
We use a variety of
resources including:
Novel Studies
William and Mary
Junior Great Books
Jacobs Ladder Texts
Organizing Thinking Skills
National Paideia Center
resources
 Math Resources
In math we utilize the
following programs:
Math Olympiad
Hands on Equations
Project M3
Problem Solvers
Logic Puzzles/Superstars
AIG Lessons from NCDPI
Navigation Series
3rd Grade Curriculum
Literacy Math
Novel Studies (Frindle, The Green M3 Gifted Units
Book, Hatchet, The Lemonade War) Hands on Equations
William and Mary Beyond Words Problem Solver
Depth and Complexity Survival Problem and Project Based
Concept Based Unit Learning activities, ie. Zoo
Thinking Maps Project, Resort Report, etc.
Jacobs Ladder KenKen Puzzles
Paideia Seminars Mathapalooza
Project Based Learning Activities
Jr. Great Books/Poetry
4th Grade Curriculum
Literacy Math
Novel Studies (From the Mixed up M3 Gifted Units
Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Bridge Hands on Equations
to Terabithia, Tuck Everlasting, A Wrinkle
in Time)
Problem Solver
William and Mary Explore and Problem and Project Based
Discover Unit Learning activities, ie. Cell
Jacobs Ladder Phone Project etc.
Paideia Seminars KenKen/Logic Puzzles
Math/Science Navigators Math Olympiad every Friday
Project Based Learning Weekly practice
Passion/Interest Based Projects 5 Competitions
5th Grade Curriculum
Literacy Math
Novel Studies (The View from M3 Gifted Units ie. Percents
Saturday, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Hands on Equations
Giver, Chasing Lincolns Killer)
Problem Solver
William and Mary Perspectives
Problem and Project Based
Unit
Learning activities, ie. Taking a
Jacobs Ladder
Trip Task, etc.
Paideia Seminars
KenKen/Logic Puzzles
Depth and Complexity Utopia/
Math Olympiad every Friday
Dystopia Concept Based Unit
Weekly practice
Project Based Learning
5 Competitions
Passion/Interest Based Projects
Differentiated Education Plan
Instructional
Strategies
What Types of Strategies are Used?
Problem/Project Based Learning
Socratic Seminars
Learning Contracts
Interest/Choice Boards
Integrated Projects
Tiered Lessons
Curriculum Compacting
Independent Studies ...and so much more!
Examples of Strategies
Extracurricular
Activities
Pineville Extracurricular Activities
Math Olympiad (4th-5th Grade) Five monthly problem solving contests from
November-March to stimulate enthusiasm and love for mathematics. Weekly challenges to
practice for competitions.
Mathapalooza (3rd Grade) The half-day event is a fun, interactive celebration of math
with three separate events, including: individual competition, a team problem solving
competition, and team building competition of mathematical and engineering concepts.

Duke Tip (95th Percentile or above on EOGs) The Duke University Talent Identification
Program is a nonprofit organization that supports academically talented students in grades 4-12.
Spectrum of the Arts (4th-5th Grade) An annual summer arts program offered to
rising CMS 4th-8th graders talented in the arts (creative writing, dance, drama, music, visual
arts). Students are nominated for this program.
Social and
Emotional
Social and Emotional Support
It is important for our students to show personal growth. The
classroom teacher and I will work with your child to help
them:
Give and receive feedback in a constructive manner
Demonstrate a willingness to take risks and engage in
challenges
Embrace self-reflection and continuously grow
Demonstrate the learning is an ongoing, cyclical process
that involves failure and success through perseverance
Performance Review: Math and Reading
Communication
and Collaboration
Critical Thinking
and Problem
Solving
Creativity and
Innovation
Personal Growth
Performance Review
The Performance Review is sent home with
the 4th quarter report card. Your childs
classroom teacher(s) and the Talent
Development teacher work together to
evaluate our gifted students. Students are
rated on a scale of 1 to 4.
http://meckpage.wixsite.com/meckpage
 Mecklenburg County PAGE
Advocacy - We advocate for gifted students and education.
Awareness - We raise awareness for the needs of gifted
student.
Enrichment - We provide enrichment for parents and
students.

Join Now! $20 a Year includes:

Student/Adult Programs Fall/Spring Newsletter
Member-Only Resources Car Magnet
Questions?
 Contact Information

Rachael Caldwell
rachael.piper@cms.k12.nc.us
(980) 343-3920
https://pinevilletd.weebly.com