Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG)

AIG Specialist - Donalyn Small
donalyn.small@bcsemail.org

The gifted program at WD Williams Elementary serves students who demonstrate a definite or extreme need for curriculum differentiation.  Formal identification usually starts in the third grade.  The nomination period for grades 3-5 is in the fall.  Buncombe County uses multiple criteria to determine the degree of need for differentiation.  The criteria include:  aptitude (intelligence) testing, achievement testing, teacher observation of typical characteristics, grades, and work samples when needed.

Services Include

  • Cluster grouping (5 or more students) with teachers who have training in gifted education

  • Curriculum differentiation by the classroom teachers with consults by gifted teacher

  • Enrichment groups with the gifted specialist with curriculum designed for gifted students

  • "Problem Solvers" Program for 1-2 students who demonstrate a need for enrichment
      (This is not formal identification for AIG program.)

Curriculum Highlights

5th Grade
Concept-based unit on immigration
Caesar's English
Gifted Awareness
Algebra Thinking Activities 
Math/Logic Activities
Independent Study
DeBono's Six Action Shoes

4th Grade
Concept-based unit on the environment
Caesar's English
Gifted Awareness
De Bono's Six Thinking Hats
Algebraic Thinking Activities
Math/Logic activities
Independent Study

3rd Grade
Concept-based unit on heroes
Caesar's English
Gifted awareness
Algebra Thinking Activities
Math/Logic activities
Independent Study