Texas Performance Standards Project www.texaspsp.org Klein ISD Office of Advance Academics 1

Starting with the end in mind Young Minds Creating Knowledge Klein ISD Gifted Showcase http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p7-r7eUx_4 2

What is it? The TPSP is a classroom learning experience in which you will have the opportunity to explore, through research, one of your areas of interest in depth. If you are interested in science, you will conduct studies much as a laboratory scientist would do. If you would like to be a published poet, you might like to focus on taking a poem from conception to publication.

Benefits Student appreciates the opportunity to relay their passions and intellectual curiosities to an outside panel of professionals and others in the community Student investigates the relationship between personal interests and future opportunities. Student becomes aware of the concept of sophisticated products and performances connected to their interests. Putting ideas into action. The innermost circle represents where most K-5 students fall because they are trying to figure out their direction in life. They have many ideas and topics they want to discover but haven’t really decided upon one. The middle circle represents students in the intermediate grades as they begin “investigating” career choices and current interests. Sometimes the investigation can lead the student to choose a different path. The largest circle represents students who have made mature decisions about their course in life based on years of developing and nurturing their talents and interests. These students are usually in high school and have a clear career path chosen. 5

Support Reference Teacher 4 Core Subject Area Teachers Librarian Campus Administrators Professional Mentors from outside of school District Advanced Academics Specialist 4 Core Subject Area Teachers

To Think About . . . How can you use this task to make a difference in your community? 2. How can you apply the task to a real-world situation? How will this task have a personal impact on you? To Think About . . . 7

Product & Communication Sept.—Oct. Phase I: Learning Experiences TPSP Timeline Mar.—Apr. Product & Communication Sept.—Oct. Phase I: Learning Experiences Jan.—Feb. Phase II: Independent Research Nov.—Dec. Guided Research May Campus & District Showcase 8

Personality Traits Needed for Successful Completion Perseverance Creative problem solving skills Risk-taking

Where to Start? 1. Take home the letter to parents 2. Show parents the presentation 3. Review the synopsis of available tasks: Grades K-5; Grades 6-8; Exit Level 4. Complete an interest inventory called “List What You Love” 5. Discuss ideas with your parents 6. Return the signed Student Profile and Participation Agreement to the homeroom teacher Please note that the wording on the Student Profile and Participation Agreement states that parents are “aware” of the requirements. 10

Keys to Success Create a calendar and stick to it. Stay organized (GT WIKI coming soon!) 11