Advanced Academics
Gifted and Talented 2014-2015
Description of Professional Development Offerings
Teachers who provide instruction and services that are part of the program for gifted students have a minimum of (30) clock hours of staff development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students. (19TAC §89.2(1))
Institute for Teachers of the Gifted
Day One
Nature and Needs of Gifted and Talented Students allows participants the opportunity to analyze the historical, legal and conceptual understandings of gifted education. The social and emotional characteristics of the gifted student will also be examined.Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and behaviors of gifted learners that is the basis for developing programs that meet their needs.
Day Two
Assessment of Gifted and Talented Studentsallows participants the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of identification procedures that allow appropriate and equal access to program services for gifted students.
Day Three
Curriculum Differentiation for Gifted and Talented Students Part Iallows participants to familiarize themselves with the advanced level products and performances required based on the Texas State Goal for the Education of Gifted Students. This session provides an overview of the Texas Performance Standards Project and allows participants the opportunity to view sample student projects.
Day Four
Curriculum Differentiation for Gifted and Talented StudentsPart IIallows participants the opportunity to gain knowledge of the principles of differentiation and learn to apply them in the classroom. The elements of depth and complexity will be used to differentiate lessons for gifted students.
Day Five
Curriculum Differentiation for Gifted and Talented StudentsPart III allows participants to become familiar with the differentiated curriculum and understand it as a diagnostic-prescriptive approach to educational planning and instruction. Participants will work through learning centers as they explore the strategies for working with gifted students.
WS# / Date / SiteDay I – Nature and Needs / 44070 / October 14, 2014 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
Day II – Assessment / 44071 / October 28, 2014 / Region One ESC – Willacy Room .
Day III – Curriculum Differentiation I / 44072 / November 4, 2014 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
Day IV – Curriculum Differentiation II / 44073 / November 18, 2014 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
Day V – Curriculum Differentiation III / 44074 / December 9, 2014 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
WS# / Date / Site
Day I – Nature and Needs / 44168 / October 1,2014 / San Benito CISD
Veterans Memorial Academy
211 N. Williams Road
San Benito Texas
Day II – Assessment / 44169 / October 15, 2014 / San Benito CISD
Day III – Curriculum Differentiation I / 44170 / October 29,2014 / San BenitoCISD
Day IV – Curriculum Differentiation II / 44171 / November 12, 2014 / San Benito CISD
Day V – Curriculum Differentiation III / 44172 / November 19, 2014 / San Benito CISD
WS# / Date / Site
Day I – Nature and Needs / 44175 / October 2, 2014 / HarlingenCISD Central Office
407 N. 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, Texas
Day II – Assessment / 44176 / October 16, 2014 / HarlingenCISD Central Office Room#503
Day III – Curriculum Differentiation I / 44177 / October 30, 2014 / HarlingenCISD Central Office Room#503
Day IV – Curriculum Differentiation II / 44178 / November 13, 2014 / HarlingenCISD Central Office Room#503
Day V – Curriculum Differentiation III / 44179 / November 20, 2014 / HarlingenCISD Central Office Room#502
WS# / Date / Site
Day I – Nature and Needs / 44182 / Jan. 21, 2015 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
Day II – Assessment / 44183 / Feb. 4, 2015 / Region One ESC – Cameron Room
Day III – Curriculum Differentiation I / 44184 / Feb. 11, 2015 / Region One ESC - Webb Room
Day IV – Curriculum Differentiation II / 44185 / Feb 18, 2015 / Region One ESC – Webb Room
Day V – Curriculum Differentiation III / 44186 / March 11, 2015 / Region One ESC – WebbRoom
Fee:G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Gifted and Talented Coordinators’ Meetings
WS# / Date / SiteGT Coordinator Meeting / 44187 / October 9,2014 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
GT Coordinator Meeting / 44188 / December 11, 2014 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
GT Coordinator Meeting / 43823 / March 12,2015 / Region One ESC – Willacy Room
GT Coordinator Meeting / 44190 / May 6, 2015 / Region One ESC – Webb Room
The purpose of these meetings is to disseminate information provided by the Texas Education Agency to district G/T Coordinators. These meetings provide opportunities for G/T Coordinators to learn about statewide initiatives, discuss current research, and learn about best practices being implemented in gifted programs throughout the Region One area.
Fee:No Fee
Audience: G/T Coordinators and/or G/T Lead Teachers
Texas Performance Standards Project:
Implementation of Tasks
Patricia S. Rendón, Presenter
WS# / Date / Site44191 / October 8, 2014 / Region One ESC- Webb Room
The Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP) consists of research-based standards and an accompanying assessment system that captures the high levels of achievement that gifted and talented students are able to exhibit. Projects in kindergarten through eighth grades are somewhat structured, and the students complete a series of activities to arrive at a final product. Exit level projects are more independent, and students work with mentors in the chosen field of study to create a final product. This professional development opportunity allows teachers to examine the tasks, evaluate and score products, and become familiar with the process for implementing the TPSP in their classroom.
Fee:G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Student Seminars to Enhance
the Texas Performance Standards Project
Julia Browning, Presenter
WS# / Date / SiteStudent Seminar Grades 2-3 / 44200 / October 22, 2014 / Region One ESC – Cameron Room
Student Seminar Grades 4-5 / 44201 / October 23, 2014 / Region One ESC – Cameron Room
Student Seminar Grades 6-9 / 44202 / October 24, 2014 / Region One ESC – Cameron Room
Half-day Session 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Maximum Participants: 60 students
This is a research skills lesson for the Texas Performance Standards Project students. Comparisons between surface research and researching with depth and complexity will be examined, as well as essential components of an in-depth project. This should be a fun, cooperative seminar that will increase your students’ research skills. Students must be accompanied by a teacher. Teachers should be prepared to help facilitate the learning.
Fee: $50.00 per student (Please send one teacher for every 10 students)
Extending Achievement: Rigor and Relevance
Dr. Cecilia Boswell, presenter
WS# / Date / Site44192 / November 5, 2014 / Region One ESC- La Lomita Room
Educators will learn ways to extend students’ thinking and increase achievement levels. This session will illustrate how to address student interest through authentic learning that will add rigor, relevance, depth and complexity to their learning.
Fee:G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
G/T Online 6- hour Update: Differentiating Instruction for
Gifted/Talented Students
Note: Participation of at least 20 teachers is required.
WS# / Date / Site44193 / October 13 – December 12, 2014 / On-line
In this e‐course, participants will learn about traditional methods of reaching gifted students as well as newly developed methods. Participants will learn what differentiation truly means and what it should look like for gifted students. Participants will also learn what is required by Texas law for the design of curricula for gifted students and what best instructional practices should be followed. Participants will contribute ideas to the discussion board, share their own experiences, and research related information. The objectives will be met through Internet investigation, investigation of district information and practices, and threaded discussions. A 10 question end‐of‐course knowledge test is also included.
Fee: G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Institute for Teachers of the Gifted
(On-line version of the 30 required professional development hours)
Note: Participation of at least 20 teachers is required.
WS# / Date / SiteDay I – Nature and Needs / 44194 / October 13, December 12, 2014 / On-line
Day II – Assessment / On-line
Day III – Curriculum Differentiation I / On-line
Day IV – Curriculum Differentiation II / On-line
Day V – Curriculum Differentiation III / On-line
Fee: G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Independent Investigation Method
Patricia Rendon, Presenter
WS# / Date / Site44203 / January 20, 2015 / Region One ESC – La Lomita Room
The Independent Investigation Method is a teacher/student friendly way to breeze through the research process. In this workshop, teachers will learn the foundation skills of research that will allow them to teach students to conduct independent research studies. Participants will acquire a set of skills to instruct students on the process of gathering, analyzing and sharing information.
Through this process students will learn that:
- Research is a sequential process.
- Research is used to answer questions.
- There are many sources for information.
- They must cite their sources using a standard format for their bibliography.
- They need to put information in their own words (No Plagiarism).
- Information must be organized for use in a product.
- They should share what they have learned with an appropriate audience.
Fee: G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Simply the Best! Instructional Strategies that Work!
Dr. Janet Aaker Smith
WS# / Date / Site44195 / January 23, 2015 / Region One ESC – Fort McIntosh Room
Tried and true instructional strategies for all students that are energizing and practical will be presented in this workshop based on brain research and best practices. Each strategy will increase engagement and encourage active learning, which is the best way to empower students, develop social skills, and improve learning outcomes. Leave with strategies to use immediately with your students and be prepared to have FUN!Participants will-
* Experience a variety of active learning strategies
* Recognize each activity’s link to brain research and its connection to learners
* Learn the best ways to promote the use of creative and critical thinking
* Discover ways to motivate student learning & enhance the joy of learning
* Maximize student engagement
These brain- linked strategies include:
* Activating prior knowledge * Challenge and problem solving
* Engaging emotions * Feedback, reflection, evaluation
* Mind- body links * Pattern seeking
* Social interaction * Attention and focus * Novelty
* Multiple memorypathways
Educators will leave with a plethora of strategies to motivate even your most reluctant learners.
Fee: G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Demystifying Differentiation in the Pre AP –AP Classroom
Bob Iseminger, Presenter
WS# / Date / Site44196 / January 28, 2015 / Region One ESC- Webb Room
Differentiation is the key to effective service of the gifted, and it is one of the least understood. Because it encompasses such a wide variety of strategies and its specialized vocabulary, many teachers feel overwhelmed when they hear the word. This workshop gives teachers a "helicopter tour" of differentiation, from its fundamental roots to its manifestation in a classroom, introducing teachers to the leaders in the area and sharing some of the easiest and most effective ways to differentiate for all learners.
Fee: G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Gifted and Talented Professional Development for
Administrators and Counselors
Patricia S. Rendón, Presenter
WS# / Date / Site44197 / February 5, 2015 / Region One ESC- Webb Room
44205 / March 5, 2014 / Region One ESC- Webb Room
Administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions are required to attend six (6) hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options for gifted/talented students. (19TAC§89.2(4))
Fee:G/T Co-op members: $200.00 per session
Non-members or coop slot overages: $200.00 per session
Creativity and Innovation: Encouraging Creativity
Patricia S. Rendon, Presenter
WS# / Date / Site44198 / February 12, 2015 / Region One ESC – Webb Room
Today’s students must be able to think creatively and produce creative products to be successful in school and in the world of work. This session will focus on the elements of creativity including fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration. Enhancement of the Texas Performance Standards Projects through creative approaches will help students thrive in real world environments.
Fee:G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session
Real World Applications of Critical and Creative Thinking
Patricia S. Rendon,Presenter
WS# / Date / Site44199 / February 19, 2015 / Region One ESC- La Lomita Room
This session will enable teachers to embed critical thinking skills into the curriculum for gifted students by taking teachers through the explicit teaching of thinking skills. The teacher’s guide to be used was developed by the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. Elements from the Lighthouse Document for the specific content areas will be highlighted as possible resources for differentiating the curriculum.
Fee:G/T Co-op members: No fee for number of slots purchased through contract
Non-members or co-op slot overages: $125.00 per session