Gifted & Talented Courses Grades 1-6
TCLA's enrichment program creates a challenging environment which prepares students for standardized tests.
Course Offerings for
Students in Grades 1-2Students in these primary grades will be immersed in developing their reasoning skills in a variety of content areas: math, reading, logic and science. They will come to understand how critical thinking can be applied across content areas. Our students will be able to:
- Apply deductive reasoning skills to solve classic logic problems and word problems
- Apply critical thinking to fiction and nonfiction
- Ask questions & challenge ideas
- Gain confidence in their ability to think through unfamiliar problems
Course Offerings for Students in Grades 3-4 & 5-6
Reading
Critical Thinking in Fiction
Our students will be able to:
- Identify literary elements in fiction and poetry
- Infer meaning from text
- Summarize and paraphrase
- Expand vocabulary
Critical Thinking in Non-Fiction
Our students will be able to:
- Identify structural elements
- Determine authorial perspective
- Summarize and paraphrase
- Expand vocabulary
Writing
Writing From The Narrative
Our students will be able to:
- Respond to essay prompts
- Make text-to-text connections
- Transform experiences into narratives
- Develop strategies to captivate an audience
Writing A Research Paper
- Gather research
- Evaluate reliability of the source
- Summarize, outline and synthesize information
- Apply mechanics of paper writing
Math
Our students will be able to:
- Apply Logical Thinking
- Utilize and communicate problem solving strategies
- Write and solve equations
Virginia McDonald, the founder of TCLA, has been a teacher of gifted and talented students for over 25 years and is passionate about helping children develop critical and creative thinking skills. She has created innovative and stimulating curricula to help gifted students achieve their maximum potential.
Ms. McDonald, along with her staff of experienced and highly qualified teachers, is committed to the growth and development of these bright and highly motivated students.