Lincoln County R-III Gifted Flight Program 

Lincoln County R-III School District recognizes the distinctive needs revolving around the academic and/or intellectual giftedness of our students. The Flight program, which is our Gifted program, is based on the ideology that every child is unique. This program serves students from grades 2-12.

We believe that early recognition and differentiated instruction will ensure that every student reaches their potential. The Gifted program is designed to provide apt opportunities on different levels of strength in correlation with academic, creativity, and leadership. As well as to support the diverse emotional and social needs of every gifted child. 

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be an exemplary gifted program, to inspire, and advocate for the needs of all students in the Lincoln County R3 School District. 

Philosophy

The Lincoln County R-III School District recognizes the particular needs associated with intellectual giftedness, such as a lack of interest in school or finding others who can understand them and their struggles. 

Goals

The Flight program enables gifted students to grow and achieve their full potential as learners; it also allows them to interact with peers of similar intellectual giftedness. The Lincoln County R3 gifted program is an educational intervention that helps support and challenge students. The flight program is not an honor class or reward; this program's goal is to further the students of giftedness. The gifted programs focus on… 

• GLOBAL MINDEDNESS – Awareness of Global ideas, an ability to see and understand justice and service, as well as the ability to be a lifelong learner. 
• CREATIVE THINKING – Open-mindedness, risk-taking, and divergent thinking. 
• COMPLEX REASONING – Critical thinking, problem solving, and systematic thinking. 
• AFFECTIVE PROCESSING – Social and emotional engagement abilities, personal development, and leadership skills
• GIFTED COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY - Self-expression, active listening,  shared understanding, as well as self advocacy.
• EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING -  Project management, self-regulation development, adaptability, and conflict resolution. 

Gifted at the Elementary Grade level 

Elementary flight is designed to meet the needs of gifted learners. Content includes opportunities involving critical thinking, affective processing, executive functioning, complex reasoning, global mindedness, and communicating effectively. The focus is on real-world challenges and developing effective problem-solving strategies. Students are exposed to diverse reassures, systems thinking strategies, and high-level technology. Every week, students participate in STEM-based challenges, participate in a unit of study, and also explore topics they have an interest in. Providing students the ability to explore their interests is both a practical and powerful way to increase motivation and the likelihood that students will be willing to express their distinct abilities and talents. In 2016, the elementary Gifted Program started implementing Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW provides a broad approach to STEM education. Students spend time exploring Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Science. Using project, activity, and problem-based curriculum, PLTW allows students to apply what they know, find out-of-the-box solutions, identify complex problems, and lead their own learning. 

Gifted Middle School Students

Middle school level Flight was solely created to meet the needs of gifted learners. Students participate in Flight everyday as they take it as an explo (exploratory) class. Students take the class for the entire year and spend that year participating in actively engaging units. Units differ year to year but each one is memorable and engaging; challenging students to consistently work hard and think harder. Students use a multitude of skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, attentive listening, inventiveness, and technology. Middle school Flight is not an honors class or a harder version of a regular class, it is a different and unique type of learning that is tailor-made to every individual student.