March/April 2024

The last nine weeks is upon us! As you continue to lead students through learning and prepare for upcoming assessments, we are also looking at what's happening during summer.

In this issue:

• G/T annual evaluation
• Upcoming learning opportunities
• Resources for K-8

Looking for resources and information on Gifted/Talented? Join the Lubbock ISD Google Classroom for G/T at https://classroom.google.com/c/NjE1OTUyMzAwMDE1?cjc=suotj5d.

For more information and resources on Gifted and Talented, please visit lubbockisd.org/o/lisd/page/gifted-and-talented-information

Are you a parent of a GT student? Check out the Parent Newsletter! smore.com/rat24

Calling all parents and/or guardians of Lubbock ISD GT students! We have an official GT Parent Advocacy Group! Check them out on Facebook @lbksigts or click the image!

For questions, email lisd.gt.parents@gmail.com

Summer time may mean some days not in our classrooms, but we know it doesn't mean "days off". Planning for Flex days and areas of growth mean we get to take our professional learning into our own hands. For teachers in the Lubbock ISD G/T service model, that also means making sure to include the appropriate G/T training.

All teachers of core content are included in Lubbock ISD's service model and must first complete 30 hours of G/T Foundation training (19 Texas Administrative Code §89.2(1)). Once this training is complete, 6 hours of "G/T Update" credit is required annually, and most content areas have at least one opportunity eligible for the needed update credit. Learning opportunities offered outside of Lubbock ISD can count toward annual update training with permission from Advanced Academics. Any core content teacher providing instruction to students identified as needing gifted and talented services must submit (and keep a copy of!) documentation of G/T trainings.

For more information, check out the Professional Learning section on the G/T website!

New curriculum and TEKS means new resources for GT! When using High Quality Instructional Materials, or any materials, to plan and internalize your lessons, take a look at the provided differentiation for advanced or gifted learners. It is important to determine whether these "challenge" tasks are truly pushing students to deeper and more complex learning, or just adding more work. Additionally, tasks for advanced learners should allow them to skip other tasks.

Use the rubric below to evaluate whether your tasks are really making a difference. If they aren't, how can you use the differentiated activity as a starting point to make it something that will challenge advanced learners?

Based on the use of Amplify, Eureka, and Savvas for curriculum, enrichment or extension activities are being created to align with each unit in all four core content areas. Grab what you need and make it your own!

If you have something else in mind, reach out to Sarah Gibson to request something else!

In July 2020, I joined the Advanced Academics team as the G/T Instructional Specialist for Lubbock ISD. I am so excited to work with our teachers and students, and make positive changes in the area of Gifted and Talented in our district!

Email: sarah.gibson@lubbockisd.org
Website: lubbockisd.org/o/lisd/page/gifted-and-talented-information
Phone: (806)219-0333