LEAP PROGRAM
Teays Valley’s elementary gifted program, known by the acronym LEAP, Learning through Enrichment for Advanced Pupils, serves students identified in Reading according to Ohio law.
LEAP is a “pull-out” program. Gifted students in grades two and three are pulled from their regular classrooms to work with a teacher trained in the education of gifted children for a total of 225 minutes per week. Beth Cottrell is the Gifted Intervention Specialist for Scioto and Walnut Elementary Schools. Amy Horsley is the Gifted Intervention Specialist for Ashville and South Bloomfield Elementaries.
The LEAP program's focus is to work with identified, gifted students in reading.
The LEAP program for gifted students offers special opportunities that accommodate unusual learning abilities. Differentiated instructional strategies and program options should foster the development of inquiry, independence, leadership and process, product and environment. Educational experiences are provided which offer opportunities for gifted students to work with other students of high ability.
Goals of the L.E.A.P. Program include the following:
A. Develop and maintain the questioning attitude and the inquisitive mind.
B. Develop understanding of the problem-solving process and the resources available for problem solving.
C. Develop the ability to think critically and reflectively.
D. Develop creative and original modes of expression.
E. Develop evaluation skills and acceptance of responsibility for high-level achievement.
F. Develop knowledge of self, social awareness and an acceptance of others’ needs and value systems.
G. Develop the ability to work and study independently.
In the LEAP program, currently housed at each elementary school in the District, students are presented challenges and enrichment activities. They also have the opportunity to interact with each other, and research has shown that these very able students need time together to “be themselves.”
Each year, students in second and third grade LEAP pursue a major study of a biome during the second semester. The third grade students study an ancient culture and its impact on society today. In May of each year, LEAP classmates participate in Achievement Fair where they present their findings with a class display of group and individual work to family, friends and community members.
