The Gifted Gazette

Welcome to our district’s Gifted Education family newsletter! Each semester, you’ll receive two issues focused on the 4 Cs—Clarity, Challenge, Content, and Community. Our goal is to keep you informed, inspired, and connected as we support the unique learning needs of gifted students.

In this special edition of the Gifted Gazette, we hope to provide you with some clarity and content as your 5th grader moves into a new community . . . middle school.

In middle school your 5th grade GT learner will have two GT specific options, ELA and Math. Your student may take one or both as a part of their continuing GT services.

A GT class serves two purposes. One is to meet the academic needs of a student. Things like classroom performance, MAP, CogAT/Naglieri testing, and even STAAR help us to see a student's strengths and where they need to be continually challenged in order to grow as a learner. If a student struggles in a particular content, he or she may want to consider the honors version. The GT classroom also supports social/emotional needs. Students will have multiple classes with a variety of of other students throughout the day. A GT class allows them to be with other students who learn and think like they do.

If your student no longer needs gifted services, please schedule time to meet with your GATES teachers to discuss next steps.

The district is still working on staffing formulas for the 26-27 school year. We are working to bring back the elective GT Explorations, but at this time cannot guarantee it will be back next year. If your student is interested, they can request it, but they need to have a back up elective just in case.

6/7 GT Math

GT ELA

Begining in 6th grade and throughout middle school, the GT ELA curriculum is humanities based. Students study the ELA standards through a variety of literature, art, music, and history under an overarching big idea. Students explore the content using depth & complexity to make connections to their lives and the world they live in. Students are often provided choice in what they read through book clubs as well as choice in some of the products they create. These products typically tap into the strengths of gifted learners and provide an alternate way to show what they have learned.

Membean is a part of the GT ELA curriculum. It is a personalized vocabulary learning platform powered by cognitive science for lasting learning. Students are expected to work on Membean 3 times a week for 15 minutes at a time. The learning is multimodal, every word is presented 9 different ways which creates strong and diverse connections in the brain. Students learn meaning and usage, and they develop a nuanced understanding of their words. Vocabulary is one of stringest predictors when it comes to success in high school, college, and beyond. Learn more about Membean here.

GT Explorations

In this course, students will develop an understanding of who they are as a gifted learner and their impact on their community. Students will gain a deeper understanding of themselves through service learning and independent study. Problem-solving, communication, creative & critical thinking will be key elements of the course.

This course is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders identified for gifted services. The curriculum will be different each year so students can take the class all three years of middle school.

Speak Up Speak Out is the foundation of the Explorations curriculum. Students spend the fall semester working through the Speak Up Speak Out curriculum. They work in groups to identify a challenge in their community. They spend most of the fall semester researching the problem, its causes, and possible solutions. Part of their research includes interviewing various stakeholders. Students then develop a plan of action and begin implementing their solution. Students will compete in the district civics fair in hopes of advancing to regionals and state.

Keep your fingers crossed that we are able to bring this fantastic class back in 26-27.

Anytime you transition to something new, you face challenge. Your 5th grader is moving from a GT pull-out in elementary to GT ELA and/or math classes. Now they are earning grades in those GT classes, which is also new. They no longer have a GATES teacher like they had in elementary. They'll be asked to read multiple books throughout the year, work on their vocabulary and may even have homework. Some of them will be acadmically challenged like they've never been before. All of these things are different and may even be uncomfortable for some of them. The first month or so will be a bit challenging, but students typically settle in about mid-September. GATES teachers will help students prepare for the transition throughout the spring semester, but you can help with that process at home. Take advantage of as many of the events listed below in Community to learn more and ask questions. Talk to your student about the upcoming changes and ask them what they might be nervous about. Then talk through those things and identify some strategies for meeting those things head on. Plan on your student attending 6th grade Boot Camp in August before school starts. Let them know that even though they may struggle in the beginning, they'll adjust and they can count on you for support.

Webinars

Both webinars are 7:00 - 8:00 PM.

February 5 - Advanced Academics in Middle School and Beyond Webinar

Your 5th grader is headed to middle school and there are many options to choose from. Starting middle school off strong lays a firm foundation that will follow your student into high school. Join this webinar to learn more about course selection and how it impacts high school choices. The audience will also hear advice from current NISD juniors and seniors who have taken a variety of courses.

https://tinyurl.com//AdvAcad26

February 17 - Gifted Services in Secondary Webinar

Is your gifted learner transitioning to middle school? Are you wondering what the difference is between a GT class and an Honors class? This webinar will provide an overview of gifted services in middle and high school. Beyond gifted services, students will also have access to AP, OnRamps, and dual credit.

https://tinyurl.com/GTMSFeb26

Flyers

• Advanced Academics in Middle School
• GT Services in Middle School