EXCEPTIONALLY ABLE
The Exceptionally Able (EA) program in Hopewell Valley provides differentiated instruction for exceptionally able students to assist in meeting their learning needs and challenge their thinking. Students can qualify for the program through multiple measures, and various enrichment opportunities and coursework are offered throughout the grade levels.
Exceptionally Able at the Elementary Schools:
The National Association for Gifted Children states that exceptional learners, in early childhood, develop best in settings where learning is differentiated with increasing levels of rigor over-time. In addition to differentiated practices in our general education instructional program, a teacher of the exceptionally able supports lessons as a collaborator in our primary grades and provides suplemental instruction for our intermediate learners that focus on critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration at the appropriate learning levels.
A multiple measure process is employed to identify exceptional and twice-exceptional students and then program to best meet their needs. In addition to the aforementioned facets of our program, we also include support for identified students during the elementary What I Need (WIN) period. During EAWIN classes, students join our EA teacher and explore project-based learning through community service, content-related projects, and individual choice.
Exceptionally Able at Timberlane Middle School:
The Exceptionally Able (EA) program at Timberlane Middle School provides differentiated instruction for exceptionally able students to assist in meeting their learning needs and challenge their thinking. Through the class, students engage in small and large-scale cross-curricular projects designed to apply their skills and knowledge and expand their learning opportunities.
Students have studied tessellations as mathematical and artistic structures. They have learned about physics and the engineering design process by constructing mousetrap race cars and motor-less gliders. They have been introduced to coding through the use of Ozobots.
Students have also engaged in community outreach and community service by designing and building Buddy Benches for each of the elementary schools in the district, and one for Timberlane. Students learned about mechanical drawing, budgets and financing, architecture, carpentry, the artistic design process, 3D printing, and more.
The EA program is an excellent way for students to engage in high-level project-based collaborative learning. Whether they are artists, scientists, mathematicians, programmers, or otherwise talented, students have an opportunity to engage with others to apply their talents, develop new skills, create outstanding projects, and make some great friends.
New Jersey Student Learning Standards - Gifted and Talented
Exceptionally Able Remote Learning Resources (NJDOE)
EA Appeal Form
