Talented and Gifted

TAG Pull-Out Program Overview – Pointer Ridge Elementary School

Program Objectives At Pointer Ridge Elementary School, the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Pull-Out Program provides advanced learning opportunities tailored to meet the needs of intellectually gifted students. The program is designed to:

• Facilitate regular opportunities for TAG students to engage with their intellectual peers.
• Provide an enriched learning environment that employs instructional strategies aligned with the unique characteristics of gifted learners.
• Encourage independent investigations and passion projects through advanced research and study skills.
• Develop higher-level competencies in:
• Critical and creative thinking
• Research and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication
• Self and group evaluation

Curriculum Overview The TAG Pull-Out Program at Pointer Ridge Elementary follows Prince George’s County Public Schools' model, ensuring TAG-identified students in grades 2-5 meet for a minimum of two hours per week from October through June. Students are grouped separately by primary (grades 2-3) and intermediate (grades 4-5) levels. TAG Pull-Out curriculum units are:

• Aligned with MSDE College and Career Readiness Standards, NAGC Standards, and SEL Standards.
• Interdisciplinary, incorporating reading, writing, art, and STEM lessons.
• Culturally diverse and structured to engage students in inquiry-based learning and creative problem-solving.
• Rooted in evidence-based gifted education strategies, including ability grouping, pre-assessment, student choice, and independent learning opportunities.
• Designed using established gifted curriculum models: Taba’s Conceptual Understanding, Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity, William’s Taxonomy for Creative Thinking, and Bloom’s Taxonomy for Higher-Order Thinking.

Cluster Grouping at Pointer Ridge Elementary In addition to the TAG Pull-Out Program, Pointer Ridge Elementary implements cluster grouping to maximize instructional effectiveness for TAG students. Cluster grouping ensures that identified gifted students are placed together within general education classrooms, fostering collaboration, peer engagement, and differentiated instruction that challenges and supports their advanced learning needs. This structure provides:

• An enriched daily learning environment.
• Opportunities for continuous challenge and growth in all subject areas.
• Collaboration among educators to differentiate instruction effectively for gifted learners.

Alignment with Pointer Ridge Elementary’s Vision and Mission The TAG Pull-Out Program and cluster grouping model directly support the Pointer Ridge Elementary School Vision and Mission by fostering a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and student engagement. Our goal is to nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and leadership in all students, empowering them to reach their full potential through rigorous and meaningful learning experiences.

TAG Events at PRES

TAG Night Showcase 3.13.2023