GREAT THINKING THURSDAY

"Effective differentiation for gifted students consists of carefully planned, coordinated learning experiences that extend the core curriculum, combine the curricular strategies of enrichment and acceleration, and integrate instructional strategies that engage learners at appropriate levels of challenge. Such curriculum and instruction are typically coupled with flexible grouping strategies to promote effective classroom management."

Gifted Services: Identified gifted/talented students are assured an array of learning opportunities that are commensurate with their abilities and that emphasize content in the four (4) foundation curricular areas. Services are available during the school day as well as the entire school year. Parents are informed of these options (19 TAC §89.3(3)).

Source: Edutopia

May 9, 2019

Check this out! What an incredible opportunity to provide differentiated learning for our gifted and advanced learners!

When educators at a Washington, DC, high school ditched their lectures and devised a self-paced blended learning model, their students thrived.

Gifted Services: Flexible grouping patterns and independent investigations are provided throughout the program design/services.

NASA invites U.S. students to submit essays to name NASA's next Mars rover. Kindergarten through 12th grade students have until Nov. 1, 2019 to submit their name. Register, learn more, and submit entries (or sign up to be a judge) using one of the links below.

Contest: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/

Toolkit: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/toolkit/#Toolkit

Gifted Services: Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum options in intellectual, creative and/or artistic areas; leadership; and specific academic fields are provided for gifted/talented students

Call for Outstanding Student Nominations

Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2020 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state.

Nominees must:

· Be in 4th-8th grade

· Maintain an 85 or higher average

· Demonstrate leadership ability

· Be involved in school/community activities

Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders online:

http://educationinaction.org/nominate-leaders

Scholarship opportunity for Education in Action programs

October 7, 2019

SYTA ROAD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD IS OPEN!

The Road Scholarship program awards funds to youth unable to afford the cost of their student group trip and may be applied to participation in both of Education in Action's student program offerings: Lone Star Leadership Academy summer camps and one-day Discover Texas Field Trips.

Based on the belief that travel is essential for a complete education, the SYTA Youth Foundation's goal is to make a positive difference through travel. Applications may be submitted October 1 – November 15, 2019.

WHO CAN APPLY? Nominations must be submitted only by an educator, program leader or designated school official. Nominations submitted by parents or guardians will not be considered.

HOW MUCH IS AWARDED PER SCHOLARSHIP? Up to $1,000 will be awarded to an individual (applies to Lone Star Leadership Academy participants); a maximum of $5,000 will be awarded to a group ('a group' can be a group of individual students nominated to attend summer Lone Star Leadership Academy camps OR a school's entire grade level taking part in a one-day Discover Texas Field Trip). Nominations requesting an award higher than the maximum will not be considered.

For more information, click here.

Gifted Services: Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum options in intellectual, creative and/or artistic areas; leadership; and specific academic fields are provided for gifted/talented students

Advanced Academic Professional Learning is proud to offer our GT Blended Foundation Training for the third year in a row! This session requires teachers to complete at least 2 assignments based on current research to meet the needs of gifted learners. Participants then meet for one face-to-face session to share their learning and continue learning required content. An additional Blended Foundation training will be offered in Spring 2020!

Gifted Services: Professional Learning: Opportunities for professional learning in the area of gifted/talented education are provided on a regular basis, and information on them is disseminated to professionals in the district.

Source: The Kid Should See This

Why is the ancient art of origami so useful for engineering? In this episode of Veritasium, Derek Muller visits with origami artist Dr. Robert Lang and mechanical engineering Professor Larry Howell to learn more about how origami and engineering are coming together to create solutions for new technologies

Gifted Services: Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum options in intellectual, creative and/or artistic areas; leadership; and specific academic fields are provided for gifted/talented students.