• Subject specific opportunities provided in the regular classroom to challenge and extend students' learning and provide opportunities for students to work with peers of similar ability
• Open to students identified as gifted and those selected students whose enrichment tracking sheets indicate history of previous elementary school involvement
• (approx 5%)

Definition

Classroom enrichment consists of differentiated experiences provided in the classroom that allow students to investigate the curriculum to a greater breadth and depth. Classroom enrichment may include individual or group activities such as open-ended questioning, extensions of the curriculum, independent investigations, and problem solving opportunities. Classroom enrichment may be facilitated through curriculum compacting.

Advantages

• challenges students within the classroom environment
• provides opportunities for individual exploration of topics of interest
• extends topics in the curriculum, encouraging students to link what they know with experiences
• allows for a combination of knowledge-based and interest-based experiences
• provides for mastery of learning expectations specified in secondary curriculum documents

Participants

• identified students
• selected students whose enrichment tracking sheets indicate a history of previous elementary school involvement

Guidelines

• initiated by the student and/or the classroom teacher
• occurs during class time

• Provide extending opportunities beyond what a student would experience in the regular classroom, based on individual needs, talents and interests
• Open to students identified as gifted and those selected students whose enrichment tracking sheets indicate history of previous elementary school involvement
• (approx 2 - 3%)

Definition

Enrichment opportunities are events and activities planned by school teams in consultation with the secondary enrichment resource teacher. The opportunities provide learning experiences beyond what a student would experience in the classroom. Enrichment opportunities are planned based on student needs, talents, and interests and may be student planned and driven.

Advantages

• opportunities for students to apply interests, knowledge, and task commitment to an area of study
• provides opportunities for hands-on experiences
• allows students to interact with peers who share similar interests and abilities
• provides authentic experiences for students to acquire knowledge and methodology used in specific careers and areas of academic study

Participants

• identified students
• selected students whose enrichment tracking sheets indicate a history of previous elementary school involvement

Guidelines

• planned by individual schools or groups of schools
• selection and invitation of participants is determined by the planning team
• may provide links to post-secondary institutions
• may include out of system experiences

• A student initiated opportunity to complete a 30 hour module or project within the regular classroom resulting in a gifted credit
• Open to Identified students
• (approx 1 - 2%)

Definition

Extending activities involve negotiated learning experiences that take place primarily during the regular classroom time. Each extending activity module requires approximately 30 hours of student time to complete. Students will have the opportunity to develop academic and personal skills through a combination of teacher directed and self-directed activities, projects or investigations.

Advantages

• may allow for a combination of mandatory, student selected and student led components
• allows students to investigate topics of interest to them in a supportive learning environment
• allows students to develop skills transferable to future independent projects and personal programs
• encourages negotiated learning where students assume responsibility for establishing goals, deadlines, and plans with individual teachers and/or community mentors

Participants

• identified students who have demonstrated needs and are committed to the task

Guidelines

• program designed by the secondary enrichment resource teacher or designed by the student and teacher/mentor
• possible focus on interpersonal, leadership and learning skill development as well as opportunities to extend significantly beyond the expectations of the regular grade level curriculum
• offered in conjunction with regular classroom time allotment and requiring approximately thirty additional hours of student work

• A student initiated project involving 55-110 hours outside of the regular classroom resulting in a secondary school credit
• Open to Identified students who have participated in enrichment
• (approx. 1 - 2%)

Definition

Independent projects are investigations that are generally conducted outside of the regular classroom environment. With support, students will design an independent project that explores topics beyond the classroom curriculum, and focuses on the continued development of learning strategies in the student. Students will develop and negotiate a learning contract with a teacher/mentor, and will be awarded half or full credits for the successful completion of the project which makes an original and creative contribution to the topic under investigation.

Advantages

• allows students to investigate topics and complete activities that reflect their interests and needs
• allows students to develop knowledge and learning skills
• allows students develop skills transferable to personal programs
• encourages negotiated learning where students assume responsibility for establishing goals, deadlines, and plans with individual teachers

Participants

• identified students who have demonstrated needs and are committed to the task

Guidelines

• students will initiate projects with the resource teacher
• resource teachers or teacher mentors along with principals will pre-approve appropriate projects
• students will be awarded a half credit (GLE 1O5) for approximately 55 hours of work, and a full credit (GLE 101) for approximately 110 hours of work
• the project must address learning skills as outlined in the Learning Strategies curriculum guidelines (GLS 10)
• the project must be reflected in the student's Individual Education Plan

• Self-directed investigation organized by student and encompassing studies in two or more disciplines resulting in a senior secondary school credit
• Open to identified students who have participated in enrichment
• (less than 1%)

Definition

Personal programs are independent projects that involve interdisciplinary study or activities. Senior students negotiate a project that allows them to explore future career and academic goals. The projects and activities may involve community connections and mentorship.

Advantages

• allows students to investigate topics related to future career and academic goals
• provides an opportunity for the investigation of interdisciplinary topics that are significantly beyond what is feasible in the regular classroom
• fosters independent investigation, research, and decision making
• promotes school community partnerships

Participants

• Open to identified students who have previously participated in enrichment

Guidelines

• as per pending Ministry of Education Guidelines
• arranged by school team in consultation with the secondary enrichment resource teacher
• may include advanced entry into a specified post-secondary course, research in a variety of locations, and negotiated contract learning
• requires significant student commitment and parental involvement for support, supervision, transportation, etc.
• the project must be reflected in the Individual Education Plan