Activities to Engage, Empower, and Enrich the Learning Process  NEW
Teachers in grades 3-6 who teach math, science, social studies, and/or language arts will actively participate in a multitude of activities which enhance student learning.  Most, if not all, the geometry TEKS will be taught in one exciting 45 minute activity.  Our Problem Solving Pursuit will integrate science and history in a fascinating way while techniques for improving memory will also be explored.  Participants will construct foldables and other creative products which can be used in any subject.  Activities will be geared for all students with an emphasis on differentiating for the gifted students.This event qualifies as a 6 hour GT update session.

 

Books, Bags, and Brainbusters: A Make and Take Workshop to Increase Student Engagement (K-5)
Participants will go beyond "hands-on" activities and engage in "minds on" activities that can be easily and quickly implemented into elementary classrooms in all four core areas.  This research-based workshop will inspire creativity and increase enthusiasm for the education of our gifted students.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Cooperative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.

 

Cornell Note-taking: An Old Strategy Made New!
One of Marzano's High Yield Strategies is summarizing and note taking.  In this session you learn the basic concepts of the Cornell Note-taking Systems.  Time will be spent in discussing the implementation of Cornell Notes and strategies for making this old technique new and effective in the classroom.  Anyone can copy words, but the power of Cornell Note-taking comes from the critical thinking embedded throughou the process.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Cooperative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.

 

PreAP and AP Strategies
If our students are going to be able to think, compete, and problem-solve, then we must move toward a higher level of thinking and learning for them.  That is why PreAP and AP makes logical sense for our GT students.  This workshop guides teachers how to provide an explanation and demonstration of your strategy as well as including the audience when possible, explain how strategies show depth and complexity, and explain how strategies connect to the various content areas.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Cooperative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.

 

Research, Research, Research
This overview of three research models will enable participants to determine which method works best for them.  The models that will be showcased are Project Based Learning, Independent Investigation Method (IIM), and Texas Performance Standards Projects.  Success data supports all three of these research driven models.  This workshop should be offered as a K-6 or 6-12 event.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Coopoerative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.

 

So You have the 30 Hours...Now What?  NEW
Attending 30 hours of gifted training makes you eligible to teach gifted students.  You go away with a myriad of new ideas for serving GT students.  In reality, how do you implement these services?  This workshop will teach practicial strategies for including gifted students within your classroom. This workshop should be offered as a K-6 or 6-12 event.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Coopoerative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.

 

Socratic Questioning for Gifted Students
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates' theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with "right" answers.  Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by responding to their questions with questions, instead of answers.  This process encourages divergent thinking rather than convergent.  In this workshop, participants are given opportunities to "examine" a common piece of text and then pose open-ended questions.  This format is based on dialogue and not discussion or debate.  Participants in a Socratic Seminar respond to one another with respect by carefully listening instead of interrupting.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Cooperative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.

 

The Digital Natives Have Advanced: Challenging Gifted Techies in our Classrooms  NEW
Using Web 2.0 to engage and challenge our students to think creatively and critically is imperative in order for our students to be successful learners.  The workshop will exhibit strategies and web tools that will enable educators to accomplish these goals.  This workshop is more effective when it is held in a computer lab or when the participants have access to laptops.  This training is for participants whose districts are members of the Advanced Academics Coopoerative and qualifies as a 6 hour GT update.