The Loudoun County SEARCH program, offered to K-3 grade students, focuses on thinking skills and is designed to foster a classroom environment that encourages students to develop an excitement for learning and discovery. SEARCH teachers work within the classroom to stimulate curiosity, practice problem solving strategies, incorporate cooperative learning activities, provide opportunities for students to use higher level thinking skills, and to identify students with exceptional ability. During the lessons the primary classroom teacher makes observations to gain insight into the students’ various skills, strengths, and learning styles. Both teachers work cooperatively to recognize and develop the potential for excellence in each student. The SEARCH teacher is available to assist in the development of lesson plans and activities that promote higher level thinking, model or provide tips for differentiating instruction. The Loudoun County SEARCH lessons are organized under the learning keys listed below and are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning.  These lessons fulfill the goals of the LCPS Gifted Education Department which are:

1. To become divergent creative thinkers who recognize problems and solve them.

2. To construct personal meaning and understanding of others and of the world around them.

3. To develop the capacity for self assessment (ownership of the learning).

• Connecting

• Reasoning

• Creating

• Perceiving

• Evaluating

The SEARCH program focuses on thinking skills and is designed to foster a classroom environment that encourages students to develop an excitement for learning and discovery.  SEARCH teachers work within the classroom and offer lessons to all kindergarten through fourth grade students.  These lessons are organized under the following headings: perceiving, reasoning, connecting, creating and evaluating.  During the lessons the primary classroom teacher makes observations to gain insight into the students' various skills, strengths, and learning styles.  Both teachers work collaboratively to recognize and develop the potential for excellence in each student.  

Additional goals of the SEARCH program include the following:

• Stimulate each student's curiosity, by providing opportunities for him/her to question, think and create

• Differentiate the learning activities in the curriculum to meet individual needs of students with special interests, strengths and challenges

• Provide in-service programs to help classroom teachers work effectively with identified gifted students

• Identify students in kindergarten through third grade who have exceptional ability and provide them with materials and lessons which are commensurate with their ability levels