HEB ISD Advanced Academics ELEMENTARY Emily Biggers September 22, 2015

Advanced Academics  Grades 1 – 3 STEPS Strategies and Techniques for Enriching Primary Students  Grades 4 – 5 PEAK Pupils Excelling in Ability and Knowledge  Grade 6 Pre-AP English Language Arts & Pre-AP Math

On every campus…  Advanced Academics Specialist on each campus who is trained in gifted and talented identification and differentiation  A classroom teacher at each grade level (1 – 3) who is designated as the STEPS teacher. STEPS teachers are trained in how to differentiate for gifted students.

Ball, Janet Harrison Lane Barraclough, AngelaLakewood Biggers, EmilySpring Garden Bihm, GingerHurst Hills Dodson, D’AnnRiver Trails Spears, AmandaStonegate Garrett, DottyMeadow Creek Spears, AmandaBedford Heights Harper, SusanBell Manor Villanueva, MadisonWest Hurst Howey,KarenDonna Park Lackey, ArenOakwood Terrace Jeantet, RachelMidway Park Lawson, RosemarieSouth Euless Maloney, MelindaBedford Heights Taylor, KristenBellaire Piske, DariceNorth Euless Piasecki, JacquelineWilshire Epps, TammieShady Brook Waggoner, MelissaShady Oaks Barrett, ErinViridian

1 st - 3 rd grade (STEPS) At least ONE of the following options is being implemented on each campus:  Pull out  Push in  Extension lessons  Texas State Performance Standards projects

Grades 1 – 3

4 th – 5 th grade (PEAK)  PEAK students are served one period per day by the Advanced Academics Specialist.  Compacted Reading Skills  Novel Studies & Self-Selected Reading  Greek & Latin Vocabulary Roots  Gifted & Talented Themes  Core Content Areas  Elements of Depth & Complexity  Technology  Project Based Learning  Research Projects  Social & Emotional Issues of Giftedness  Individual Student Portfolios (electronic portfolios)

High Level, Award-Winning Novels

Kaplan’s Elements of Depth & Complexity

Brain Based Learning movement music Multiple Intelligences

PEAK Pupils Excelling in Knowledge & Ability

Texas Performance Standards Projects (Independent Research) & Novel Projects (Literature Connections)

Projects Student-Made Board Games

Projects/Presentations Electronic Products – movies, videos, powerpoints, etc.

6 th grade (Pre-AP)  Pre-AP ELA Vocabulary -- Greek and Latin Roots Core Knowledge Reading Selections Literary Classics Independent Research Project Technology Application  Pre-AP Math Topics covered in an PreAP program are similar to those found in a normal math sequence. What differs is…  the level of sophistication of responses required  the global connections beyond what is found in the traditional textbook  the acceleration and rigor of content  integration of content across math strands

What can I do to help my gifted/advanced child?  Encourage thinking and risk-taking! “Be a problem solver!”  Train them in organization/responsibility.  Be sure your child is reading daily. The public library is a great resource!  Recognize that your child may not be gifted in every area and that is okay. Nurture his/her gifts as well as areas where he/she may need some help. Celebrate “perfect effort” rather than “perfection.”  Provide experiences! (museums, theater, zoo, aquarium, festivals, symphony, exposure to languages, etc.)  Join HEB AGT and TAGT. Learn about giftedness!  Attend meetings, conferences, and events that promote interaction between parents and educators of gifted learners.

HEB ISD - Opportunities to extend learning (vary by campus)  Geography Bee  Spelling Bee  Whiz Quiz (6 th grade)  Reading Counts program  2x2 books (younger students)  Bluebonnet books  Math competitions  Writing contests  Leadership opportunities  Camp Invention (summer – younger students)  Rising Stars Camp (summer – older students)  Robot Palooza

Challenge is a good thing! If your child is being appropriately challenged, he or she will probably struggle. It is often through struggle that real learning takes place.

Websites for Parents    Your campus Advanced Academics Specialist’s website