GREAT THINKING THURSDAY
For Klein ISD Educators of Gifted
April 25, 2019
GT Students at Metzler Embrace Challenge-Collaborate in Digital Book Clubs & Genius Hour
By Lorene Wright
Teacher/GT Advocate
Metzler Elementary
Third grade students at Metzler Elementary participate in Genius Hour four times per week. During this time, students pursue independent research activities, develop skills where they know they need more practice, and collaborate with others on their learning.
This year, the GT students in third grade have the unique opportunity to participate in digital book clubs. Teacher, Mrs. Courtney Schattle, developed the clubs for students across the grade level. Students work through Google Classroom to participate in activities that prepare them to read a new and complex text, and then collaborate and discuss their reading through online, digital, discussions.
For example, in order to prepare to read Dear Mr. Henshaw, students worked on independent research around topics related to the text, like California or child inventors. After they had read certain sections, students answered discussion questions posted by third grade teachers and had a chance to respond to each other. “This really gives students a chance to discuss with each other and build answers off of what others have to say. It adds a new level to the idea of book clubs because they have to be able to write out their answers and respond to what others say in a digital setting,” says Mrs Schattle.
The third grade ELA team at Metzler has noticed that student’s engagement has increased with their online book clubs and that students hold each other accountable for appropriate and high quality discussions. Mrs. Schattle continued to say that these book clubs, “really personalize learning for our GT students and provide them with a way to practice social interactions and engagement as well as academic content.” The students really love their digital book clubs, student Kennedy Fraser says that book clubs, “make me want to read more so I can answer more questions and see what my classmates are saying about each part of the book. They helped me read books this year that I probably wouldn’t have chosen on my own.”
The third grade team can’t wait to start digital book clubs even earlier next year and bring personalized challenges to even more Metzler Huskies!
Spring Teacher Referrals for Gifted & Talented Services
By Carie Barber
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
GT Identification Process Leader
If you have ever asked yourself, “How is this kid not GT?” The answer may be, “because he or she has never been referred for testing.” Did you know that teachers can recommend students for GT testing?
At this time of the school year, many-if not most of-you know your students by name, strength, and need and have an exceptional perspective on their academic and cognitive abilities. Teachers are our best resource for identifying the talent pool of students who need services beyond what is available in the general education classroom. The state of Texas defines a gifted/talented student as, “...a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment.” Maybe there is a student in your class right now who comes to mind?
Please use this form to let us know which students you feel meet this definition and would benefit from gifted programming.Once you complete the form, the Advanced Academics Department can then contact the students’ parents to initiate the process for identification.
The Spring Teacher Referral process is a direct result of the work of the GT Guiding Coalition members who felt strongly about reaching out to teachers in the Spring with the goal of identifying students, particularly those in underrepresented populations. Please know that we value your input and look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions about the spring teacher referral process, please reach out to your campus GT Advocate, GT Administrator, or Advanced Academics Program Coordinator, or Carie Barber-Advanced Academics Program Coordinator-Identification Process Lead.
Summer GT Professional Learning in Klein ISD
AP TEACHERS: YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS!!!
UPDATE: New Teachers to AP for the 2019-2020 School Year:
You will be able to order the Course and Exam Description Binder on May 20, 2019!
All admins, counselors and teachers will have full access to the Digital Binder on August 1, 2019!
These guides will be featured in AP Summer Institute. If you are teaching an AP Course in 2019-2020 and would like to attend AP Summer Institute please contact Imee Villarreal in the Advanced Academics Office!
35 AP subjects will receive Course and Exam Description (CED) binders this year. These binders refine and clarify the scope of content that can be assessed on the AP Exam for college credit, and provide teachers with a suggested topic and skill sequence they can adapt to their needs rather than having to build from scratch. Order your free copy at this link: FREE AP BINDER
AP teachers in the United States who have completed the AP Course Audit can request a free copy of the binder by January 31, 2020. New AP teachers should wait to request their binder until their Course Audit form for 2019-20 has been approved by their administrator. CED binders will be mailed beginning in June 2019.
Anyone, worldwide, can download these materials beginning late May 2019.
Note: CED binders aren’t available for AP Computer Science Principles, AP Seminar, and AP Research, because those subjects follow a different curricular model than the other AP subjects.