“Activating Inquisitive Minds” is a pullout program that serves the needs of gifted students in Allen Independent School District. The AIM program allows gifted students the opportunity to work weekly with peers of similar abilities.

The AIM curriculum challenges students to develop and apply their talents through a variety of integrated, multidisciplinary learning activities and projects. AIM classroom activities focus on logic, problem solving, higher order thinking skills, critical and creative thinking.

Actual testing for identification at the elementary level occurs in kindergarten and sixth grades through district wide aptitude screening.

Mission Statement
To implement a program that meets the unique social, emotional and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students through the collaboration of students, educators, parents and community members to ensure opportunities for maximum growth and development for life-long success.

Program Goals
> Interdisciplinary Program
> Relevant Curriculum to Gifted Learners
> Strands of Group Interaction
> Strong Components of Critical Thinking and Creative Exploration
> Divergent Questioning Models
> Self-Selected Learning for Students
> Independent Research Projects

Beliefs
> We believe the gifted have unique educational needs that demand the nurture and advocacy of a special academic program.

> We believe that children’s current educational needs as well as their potential growth should guide our practice.

> We believe that balanced programs for gifted students provide for both cognitive and affective development.

> We believe it is essential for gifted students to interact with their intellectual peers, as well as all student peers.

> We believe that effective gifted programs prepare students to become self-directed, life-long learners.

> We believe education for gifted students must constantly challenge students in order to develop their potential to become exceptional contributors to society.

The Gifted and Talented Student
“A child or youth who performs at or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment and who:

Exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative or artistic area;
Possesses an unusual capacity for leadership;
Excels in a specific academic field.”

(Source: Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students)

Thinking Processes
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Inductive/Deductive Reasoning
Spatial Relationships

Social Skills
Understanding Self & Others
Leadership
Teamwork
Citizenship

Learning Models
Bloom's Taxonomy
Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
Broad-Based Themes & Generalizations