1. Famous Failures Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. Charles Darwin, "I was considered by my father as a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard in intellect." Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of good ideas. Thomas Edison's Einstein Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school. Leo Tolstoy flunked out of college. http://lucarinfo.com/inspire/dgifted.html

2.  Texas Performance Standards (TEA)  Teaching Strategies  Gifted Learners at R.H.I  How is R.H.I Differentiating?  Tips for Parents

3.  http://www.texaspsp.org/ http://www.texaspsp.org/  The Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP) is a resource for providing differentiated instruction to gifted/talented (G/T) students (and can be used for providing enhanced academic opportunities for all students).

4.  Building relationships  Constructing curriculum based on individual interest (Interest Based Learning)  Differentiating

5.  Students receive instruction and guidance in study, research, and organizational skills; social and real world application of learning; critical and creative thinking skills; and goal setting.  Students engage in critical thinking and reasoning abilities across the curriculum.  We provide an environment that encourages and fosters inquiry and challenging attitudes toward learning.  Teachers use students’ strengths and interests to determine in-depth explorations.  Affective needs are addressed through individual goal setting with an emphasis on organization and study skills.  Develop interpersonal skills of empathy and cooperation through group work and community service projects.

6.  Critical and creative thinking skills are developed in all academic areas.  All grade levels participate in project- based curriculum that allows for students to select research subjects according to interest and ability. Teachers serving GT students:  3 rd grade level Mrs. Guzman and Ms. Garcia  4 th grade level Mrs. Bahr, Mrs. Rodriguez, Ms. Caballero, Mrs. Lopez  5 th grade level Mr. Nieto, Ms. Sandoval, Mr. Bahr, Mrs. Lopez

7. Discover Your Child’s Interests  Create multiple opportunities for your child to try a variety of activities  Explore your community. Actively follow the local newspapers and kid’s directories for festivals, activities, and classes in the area  Don’t be afraid to introduce your gifted child to a subject that you know little about

8. Consider Yourself to be Your Child’s Primary Educator  Take your children on “field trips” to places that will interest them or engage them higher-level thinking  Enter your child in competitions and contests  Participate in a book club with your child and engage him/her in discussions on character and plot.