Elementary

Cabot’s elementary program for gifted students follows the Gifted and Talented Rules and Regulations: Program Approval Standards by the Arkansas Department of Education.  Services are provided by one full-time certified gifted/talented specialist at each K-4 elementary school.

Identified G/T students at the elementary level are served through the consultation model.  The consultation model is built on the premise that gifted students are gifted all day everyday, and differentiation of classroom curriculum is instrumental to their academic success. Identified students receive direct instruction for a minimum of 150 minutes per week; however, many students exceed the 150 minute time requirement.  G/T students meet in small groups once per week with the G/T specialist for an Independent Study Plan (ISP) conference.  The ISP is developed collaboratively with the student, G/T specialist, and classroom teacher.  It is based on individual interest and academic ability/need.  Identified students meet twice a week per grade level for G/T Advisory and G/T Intervention.  G/T Advisory addresses the affective needs of gifted students and promotes logical and creative thinking skills.  G/T Intervention provides curriculum compacting through acceleration and enrichment.  In addition to direct services, the G/T specialist serves identified and non-identified highly capable students in grades K-4 through G/T Flexible Groups.  G/T Flexible Groups provide enrichment lessons which are closely tied to content taught in the regular classroom.  Identified students are involved in ancillary programs such as Quiz Bowl, My Community Project, and Rockefeller Arts in Education.  Shadowing experiences related to student ISPs and guest speakers from the community are scheduled on a regular basis.

In addition, whole group enrichment lessons, designed by G/T specialists, emphasizing creativity, problem solving, logic, and critical thinking are taught to all kindergarten and first grade students on a weekly basis.  One lesson per month is delivered directly to each K-1 classroom by the G/T specialist.