GREAT THINKING THURSDAY
For Klein ISD Educators of Gifted Learners
January 16, 2020
GT Students “Taking Action” at Krimmel Intermediate!
By Holly Walsh,
7th grade GT
ELA Teacher Krimmel Intermediate
Seventh grade GT students at Krimmel Intermediate are making change happen in 2020. Every Thursday, all 7th grade GT students meet with Mrs. Taylor, 7th grade GT Social Studies, and myself, 7th grade GT ELA, during our Quest period for “Take Action Thursdays”. Students have been researching current issues in which they believe change needs to take place. They were then encouraged to “Take Action” on a specific issue. While some students are focusing on addressing local issues either at school or in their community, other students are targeting problems on a larger scale. After selecting their topics, the students found like minded classmates to work with, so they can take on the issue together. This project is front loaded with a heavy amount of research in order for our students to truly understand the current problem, how to go about making a change, and who to contact. Krimmel students are working on a variety of “Take Action” projects including: Increasing Vegetarian Options in Klein ISD Lunch Menus, Raising Awareness of Fair Trade, Revamping our 5th Grade Orientation (Sixth Grade Starters), Eliminating Vaping Amongst Teens and Code Assist. Our seventh graders are realizing through this experience that change takes time and effort, and while the wait can be frustrating, it is well worth it.
In order to make real world connections and empower the students in their learning quest, our 7th grade GT students will venture on a field trip to a Houston City Council Meeting. In this meeting, students will have the opportunity to witness how a major city addresses issues and resolves problems. After the meeting, our students will participate in a mock vote on the issues addressed and will discuss their opinions. They will also have the chance to speak with a member of City Council, asking questions about the steps needed to proceed with their “Take Action” projects in order to achieve their desired results. We will debrief over a picnic lunch at Sam Houston Park located downtown adjacent to City Hall. Mrs. Taylor and I hope that this experience will give the Krimmel students deeper insight on how research and learning can lead to great change in their world.
High School Educators: 30 Day Prep Plan for SAT School Day March 4, 2020
Help Our #KleinFamily Juniors Build Confidence for College Readiness!
Specific, day-by-day lessons in Google Slides with connections to the Official SAT Practice Guide and KhanAcademy assisting you with instruction in Evidenced Based Reading and Writing and Math!!!
Join the Schoology Class today!!!
Schoology Course Begins January 21, 2020!
CALLING ALL HS GIFTED LEARNERS: RESEARCH EXPO VISION2020!
By Imee Villarreal
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
We are excited to invite all Klein ISD Gifted and Talented High School students to another amazing Research Expo taking place March 26th and 27th at the Klein Multipurpose Center. This year’s Expo theme is 2020 Vision. The Research Expo provides an opportunity for Advanced Learners K-12 to show off what they know as well as choose to have their projects/presentations appraised by an external evaluator. The high school student presence at Expo has been a great addition. What a joy to watch our elementary students interact and see the culmination of their hard work in the eyes of the juniors and seniors. Here are a few of the topics/titles high school students have presented:
Klein Hacks
Creating Biodegradable Plastics
Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
The Characterization of Endothelial Regulators in Inflammatory Response
DECA Project: Taking Stock
High school teachers, please share the Research Expo invitation and sign-up link with all of your GT students. According to the Texas State Plan for Gifted we have the responsibility to to ensure “opportunities are provided for students to pursue areas of interest in selected disciplines through guided and independent research. Students are also provided the opportunity, through gifted/talented curricula, to develop sophisticated products and/or performances assessed by external evaluators who are knowledgeable in the field that is the focus of the product.” Students must be informed of this opportunity.
To sign up, students can go to http://bit.ly/GTEXPO2020.
For more information on project ideas and types go to www.kisd.us/researchpathways.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.
High School/Middle School Math: Curriculum Inspirations
Jessica Jasper
Advanced Academics Program Coordinator
Curriculum Inspirations is a YouTube video series for middle school and high school math students that provides opportunities to encourage mathematical creativity and innovation. Hosted by James Tanton, learn ten problem-solving strategies aligned with the Mathematical Practice Standards for classroom and MMA American Mathematics Competition success. Find practice examples galore listed by strategy and topic and each problem is based on a problem from the American Mathematics Competition.
TEXAS GEOLOGICAL WONDER
By Carrie Barber
Program Coordinator, Advanced Academics
Have kids who are ready to go deeper with the water cycle? Have a dinosaur or geology fan in your class? Check out Canyon Lake Gorge at https://www.gbra.org/canyonlakegorge/default.aspx. Located between Austin and San Antonio, the Canyon Lake Gorge was created by a flood in 2002. The gorge is a great place to view fossils and dinosaur footprints. The website has a beautiful aerial video of this Texas hill country geological wonder. Classroom presentations are available to download too at https://www.gbra.org/education/presentations.aspx.