Continuum of Advanced Academic Services in FCPSFairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Advanced Academic Programs offers several types of challenging learning experiences to meet the needs of a broad range of advanced learners. Advanced Academic services are implemented using a school-based model the following ways:
- All students engage with content using the Nine Critical and Creative Thinking Strategies.
- Some students require differentiated extension lessons in areas of academic strength.
- Some students are identified for part-time services that typically occur once a week.
- Some students are identified for full-time services in all academic subject areas.
Questioning
Active learners are always questioning. Students who take responsibility for asking their own questions become more productive and engaged in their learning processes. (FCPS)
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Fluency, Originality, Flexibility, and Elaboration
Students are able to come up with ideas (fluency), combine ideas in new ways or come up with unusual ideas (originality), then categorize and develop their ideas (flexibility and elaboration), they are more able to make inventive or creative connections between ideas. (FCPS)
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Visualization
The process of visualization can also help students plan out an experience before execution. Students can “see” roadblocks and problems before encountering them. This strategy helps with planning, goal-setting, and organization. (FCPS)
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Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a method of visual note taking that helps students organize information in unique and personal ways. It is appropriate for all students because it helps them retain, remember, and recall information. It also helps students to see the whole picture at once and make connections among related ideas without interruption. (FCPS)
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Point of View
This thinking strategy allows students to explore an idea from multiple perspectives. This helps to broaden students’ thinking and demonstrates that an idea should be examined from many points of view before an opinion is formed. (FCPS)
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Analogies
Analogies allow students to make connections at a more sophisticated level. This structure for thinking helps students relate material to previously learned concepts as well as generate new comparisons. (FCPS)
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Encapsulation
Encapsulation is the process of stating ideas in a concise, precise form. It is not a summary and does not involve simply stating the main idea or restating information or opinions. (FCPS)
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Decisions and Outcomes
This strategy provides a framework in which students can assess and evaluate a variety of decisions and possible outcomes. Understanding cause and effect relationships helps students recognize the importance of examining the outcomes of multiple decision options before embarking on a course of action. (FCPS)
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Plus, Minus, Interesting(PMI)
The PMI strategy encourages students to think about many possibilities, and to explore the positive and negative aspects of ideas or activities. PMI encourages students to develop the habit of looking beyond the polarity of “yes or no,” “wrong or right,” “my answer or your answer.” The goal of PMI is to develop independent thinkers who consider a range of ideas and/or possibilities and see beyond the obvious. (FCPS)
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