GREAT THINKING THURSDAY
For Klein ISD Educators of Gifted/Advanced Learners
January 23, 2020
Metzler's DInamic Mystical Magical Thinkers:
Community Service Learning Project
By Lisa Mackey
Metzler Elementary Destination Imagination Team Manager
GT Advocate
Metzler Art Teacher
Metzler Elementary’s Destination Imagination Team, the DInamic Mystical Magical Thinkers, have been working hard to solve a problem in their community. They decided to tackle the Service Learning project this year. The students felt that when they visited their grandparents and elders they were forgetting some things. This group of students wanted to fix or improve this problem. After much research on the effects of brain activities and coloring pages, they created coloring and activity books to help people stretch their brains and improve their memory. The team learned how to use Paint 3D to generate images on the computer and made a one-of-a-kind activity book. They also created business cards and a website to show their work. Being social media savvy was also important to the team, and they created a # to allow others to share their involvement. Check out #awrinkleofcolor. After months of work, they visited many nursing homes and planned activities with the centers. They also brought along their activity books, which were a hit. Now the team is working hard to prepare for competition in a few weeks. It’s a Race Against Time!
Check out their amazing website, which has a downloadable PDF of their activity book. Feel free to share!
State Goal for Services for Gifted/Talented Students: Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment.
KF AVID Guides Students Through CTE P2P Pathways
By Marcie Thompson
Klein Forest AVID Teacher
Every year, students in grades 9-11 are required to fill out the course selection form for the next school year. It was observed that students were confused and did not have knowledge regarding the various courses offered, so the Klein Forest AVID Department collaborated with the CTE Department to educate students about the various Career and Technology courses offered at Klein Forest High School.
Ms. Sue Blackmon, journalism and yearbook, and Ms. Laura Causer, broadcasting, presented to the AVID students in November. While Ms. Amanda Simmons, CTE Department Chairperson, divided the CTE Team into two groups to create a CTE Fair. The AVID classes reported to the library where the CTE teachers had displays and brochures depicting their classes. As students visited each table, teacher, and CTE students, they asked questions, reviewed the handouts that were given to them and wrote summaries about the different CTE courses. If time allowed, the students were encouraged to visit with teachers where they either had more questions or were genuinely interested in taking that class the next school year. Ms. Simmons shared, “This was an excellent way for teachers to inform students about CTE courses. The kids were actively participating in their education and seeking their pathways.”
In addition to the AVID students, Ms. Amy-Beth Davis, ELA teacher and AVID Site Team Member, was invited to bring her ELA 1 students as well and they all enjoyed the experience. Ms. Davis reflects about talking to her students about “other than core curriculum” opportunities and stated, “nothing compares to the opportunity for them to learn about them [CTE courses] directly. They were able to interact with both teachers and current students in the CTE courses, and genuinely engage and think about next steps in their high school path. I’m so grateful to Ms. Marcie Thompson for always thinking out of the box and putting this together. The next question from my students was ‘When can we learn more!’”
Most students did report they learned about a new course that is offered at KFHS and that they enjoyed themselves. Some students were already talking about courses they want to take next year!
“I liked how we could go at our own pace exploring all the different CTE classes there were.”
“It helped me explore my options on electives for next year, because I knew about some of these electives but with these presentations it helped me have a better understanding.”
“I enjoyed learning about classes I didn't even know we had at our school. There were a few classes that I am considering taking my senior year. I really like the opportunities that they all offer, and they were really interesting to learn about.”
“I really enjoyed the interior design class and the child development class. These classes got me thinking on what I really want to do for my Junior and Senior year.”
The AVID Elective Teachers were excited about this partnership. Ms. Chandler Georgia, AVID 1 Elective Teacher, reflected, “My students were excited to learn about all the different CTE classes directly from the course instructors. They were able to have one on one conversations about courses that interested them. If they were not in AVID, they would not have this opportunity!” Coach Erick Weed, AVID 2 Elective Teacher, expressed, “My students loved going around and visiting with the CTE teachers. They loved the format and being able to go back and speak to the classes and teachers they were interested in. They look forward to doing it again with the other half of the CTE classes that were not there that day.”
The Klein Forest AVID Department truly believes that EVERY AVID student can be successful, especially when they are given opportunities to grow in their passions. The partnership with the KF CTE Department allowed the students to see how they can apply the promise that was given to them and truly create a purpose for high school and beyond.
challenging, including options in the four (4) foundation curricular areas: arts, leadership, creativity, and career& technical education.
Texas Education Agency: Advanced Academics includes courses, programs, assessments, services and supports that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate college and career readiness and earn postsecondary credit. Programs include: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), AVID, Path Innovative Course, Dual Credit, SAT, ACT, and TSI assessments.
Learn MORE about Pathways and Advanced Placement at the Pathway Summit!
Advanced Placement Professional Learning Communities Execute P2P Vision!
By Imee Villarreal
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
What a pleasure it is to serve alongside the amazing Advanced Placement teachers in Klein ISD! This school year, we began to meet as AP PLCs districtwide and this endeavor has proven to yield great results!
This week ELA, Social Studies, and Psychology teachers came together to analyze data to ensure student progress in AP classes. These student-focused, high-quality teachers also created ambitious SMART goals regarding what they will do in the next few months to prepare students for the AP exams in May.
Here is what Klein ISD AP teachers are doing to make our Promise2Purpose vision a reality for learners in Advanced Placement:
Reimagine Learning:
“Choice in deliverables and connecting content to other disciplines (Frankenstein to Bioethics).”
“We are working to build lessons that are very personalized and engaging to students. Students are self-selecting assignments based on standards.”
“Using a variety of methods for effective instruction.”
“Challenging Curriculum”
“We are constantly using the data to redesign what we do.”
Cultivate Talent :
“Encouraging students who may not originally choose AP Course to challenge them.”
“Feedback & self-reflection”
“This AP PLC is a way of cultivating talent as it allows us to learn from each other and grow together.”
“Identifying promising students and providing them with opportunities for support to help them achieve success.”
“AP teachers expose students to rigor they may not have ever seen before. This cultivates talent they may not know they even have.”
“Through rigorous training and elevated support, students are developing the skills needed to pursue more challenging courses.”
“A deeper, more engaged journey into a subject provides awareness for kids to find skills and interests they didn’t know they had.”
Build Community:
“We are engaging students and families”
“Creating a learning environment where students work in flexible groups and have a safe place to fall forward.”
“Working with students to see how global issues affect them locally.”
“Looking at ways students can change or help other communities/issues.”
“Collaborating with other AP teachers!”
The Math/Science and ELA/SS AP PLCs will meet to develop innovative strategies and a district wide event to support our AP learners as they prepare for the AP Exams -stay tuned!
challenging, including options in the four (4) foundation curricular areas: arts, leadership, creativity, and career& technical education.
Texas Education Agency: Advanced Academics includes courses, programs, assessments, services and supports that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate college and career readiness and earn postsecondary credit. Programs include: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), AVID, Path Innovative Course, Dual Credit, SAT, ACT, and TSI assessments.
I Did My Research...Now What?
By Carrie Raiyawa
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
It is that time of year again! We are gearing up for our 2020 Research Expo! Our GT learners have been hard at work all year, choosing a topic of interest and collecting research to gain as much knowledge as possible. Now it is time to create!
In the past, the creations we have seen at the Research Expo have been mainly slideshows and tri-folds. These products can be an important part of a student’s display at the Expo. Especially tri-folds. They are colorful and large, and catch the eye of people walking by. A student who is showcasing their work at the Expo should be able to articulate what they have learned through the research process. A slideshow or tri-fold is a great way to display this, but there should also be more.
If the students are merely presenting their research in this way, they are only reaching the Understanding level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. As a gifted learner we want to challenge them to Analyze, Evaluate, and Create instead. These levels of synthesis can be reached through creative and inventive products. You’ve done your research, great! Now what are you going to do with it? This is where a teacher or mentor can step in and provide guidance.
On my visits to campuses this week, I have been brainstorming with students different types of products they could create, using what they learned from their research. I usually start by asking them what they like to do. They answer read, draw, build with legos, write, math, etc. Then I try to connect something they like to do with their topic of interest. For instance, I spoke to a 4th grade GT learner this week about his project on coyotes. He has a beautiful slideshow created with all his research and pictures to go with each slide. Then I asked him what are some other things he likes. He said cars, games, and videos. With a little guidance, he came to the idea that he could create a video cartoon story with a coyote as the main character. I asked him how he could incorporate his research and he decided that he should research a problem that coyotes face in real life and come up with a possible solution that he could incorporate into his cartoon. This way he can both entertain and inform people about his new favorite animal.
There are endless possibilities for the products that students can create. But, if you are having trouble thinking of suggestions for your GT learners, here is a resource that may help.
CALLING ALL HS GIFTED LEARNERS: RESEARCH EXPO VISION2020!
have participated in services for gifted/talented students will have produced products and
performances of professional quality as part of their program services.
Why Do We Group Gifted?
By Carie Barber
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
Now that you have newly identified gifted learners, this is a great time to explore why we group gifted students together. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) shares some great research and strategies for meeting the academic and social needs of advanced learners through grouping. Read more about it here.
I hope you will consider welcoming our new gifted learners through flex-grouping across classes and grades so that they have new opportunities to collaborate with like-minded peers. For additional guidance, ask your Advanced Academics Program Coordinator.
Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented: Gifted/talented students are ensured
opportunities to work together as a group, work with other students, and work independently during the school day as well as the entire school year as a direct result of gifted/talented service options (19 TAC §89.3(1)). Flexible grouping patterns and independent investigations are provided throughout the program design/services.
Spring 2020: GT Professional Learning Playlist
If you are in need of GT Foundation hours in the five strands of gifted: Nature and Needs of Gifted, Social-Emotional Needs of Gifted, Identification and Assessment of Gifted, Differentiated Curriculum for Gifted, and Creativity and Instructional Strategies for Gifted please sign up for our blended courses today!
Just a reminder that participants who sign up for GT Foundation courses receive credit for Foundation Only: NN, SE, IA, DC, or CI 2020. Participants who sign up for GT Update courses receive credit for GT Update only: GT Update 2020.
Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students: A minimum of thirty (30) clock hours of professional learning that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, identification and assessment of gifted/talented students, and curriculum and instruction for gifted/talented students is required for teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the district’s defined gifted/talented services. Teachers are required to have completed the thirty (30) hours of professional learning prior to their assignment to the district’s gifted/talented services (19 TAC §89.2(1)).
Empatico: Learners Connecting Globally!
Jessica Jasper
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
Imagine a world where our students spread kindness and empathy. Empatico.org, is a free tool for students age 6-11.
"Empatico provides students the opportunity learn about different perspectives and practice interpersonal and social emotinal skills that are crucial for building cross-cultural relationships later in life.Without a doubt, today’s youth will interact with many different types of people when they are older. Interacting, cooperating, and building relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures will contribute to students’ success and to the success of our society as a whole."