Learning

Benchmark Workshop 

Sage Canyon uses the Ready Math Curriculum for math instruction. The expectation for math is that you have direct instruction and meet with individuals and/or groups of students to guide personalized goals and progress.

• There is a 60 to 90-minute Math Block for instruction and small group instruction.
• There is a 30-minute WIN Math Block for students who need additional support.

Ready Math Curriculum

Assess Student Understanding

Activity-based assessments that are available for every Grade K lesson.

Build Number Sense

Engage students in number sense with warm-ups and transition activities. Repeated practice, combined with other counting opportunities, help students learn the counting sequence, identify number patterns, and develop an understanding of the base-10 number system.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Students develop their understanding using manipulatives before moving on to more abstract mathematical challenges.

 

Art 

Music

P.E.

Roots & Shoots

Philosophy and Programming

DCSD offers a variety of programming options to meet the full spectrum of needs of our gifted learners. In alignment with the The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) guiding principles and programming standards, a continuum of programming services exist for gifted learners in DCSD. Each school is served by a gifted education facilitator who collaborates/ consults with classroom teachers. Gifted Education Comprehensive Program Plan (Douglas Re 1, Castle Rock 7) and other support staff appropriately plan instruction and learning opportunities to meet the needs of gifted/ high potential learners.

Gifted Programming is designed to meet the academic, social/ emotional, and behavioral needs of students identified with advanced learning needs. Teachers and support staff differentiate learning opportunities to meet these needs. Each school site provides for gifted learners through the implementation of some or all of the following strategies:

• Differentiated instruction

• Curriculum compacting

• Content acceleration

• Grade level/content acceleration

• Mentorships

• Tiered assignments

• Cluster grouping

• Flexible grouping

• Independent study

• Project-based learning

• Leadership opportunities

Here at Sage Canyon Elementary, we will help meet the needs of our GT students through many of the strategies listed above. Universal strategies used throughout our school include:

• Social/Emotional support groups (discuss topics specific to the GT population)

• Curriculum support (Ed Zaccaro Math, William and Mary Language Arts units, Junior Great Books, Jacob’s Ladder)

 Gifted Identification

If you believe your child needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, and you have not done so already, please initiate the Gifted Identification Referral Process by completing the referral form linked 

English Gifted Referral Form

Upcoming TestingDCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).

2nd Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of 2/2-2/6.  This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates.  These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.  

If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process. 

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing 

• If your child is in K or 1st  grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.  

• NOTE:  Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification. 

• Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.

• Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

Gifted Identification Referral Testing 

• If your child is in grades 3 and 4, and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.  

• NOTE:  Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification. 

• Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE

• Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

Important Links

• DCSD Gifted Community Website

• Douglas County Association of Gifted and Talented (DCAGT)

• Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented (CAGT)

• National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

• Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)

• Colorado Department of Education - Gifted Information

• Destination Imagination