Are You Ready to Take the Tiger Challenge

Challenge Program Rationale:

Quoting the Gifted and Talented Performance Standards Project, January 2004:

"Texas law mandates all school districts to provide advanced-level services for their students. The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students stresses that services for gifted students build from and expand on the general school program provided to all students. According to the plan, the goal of education for gifted and talented students is as follows:

Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skill in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communications as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services."

What Is the Eighth Grade Tiger Challenge?

Students are challenged to develop the advanced research skills needed to complete student-designed independent research projects

Program Overview:

The purpose of the 8^th grade Challenge class will be to develop the skills needed to accomplish independent study projects and to prepare students for more in-depth study at the high school level. During the first semester, students will develop the prerequisite skills and complete teacher-designed projects. During the second semester, students will complete at least one independent study project under the mentorship of a student-selected classroom teacher. The teacher/mentor will help the student select appropriate areas of interest and serve as a content specialist for that particular discipline. The GT teacher will facilitate the actual process; the classroom teacher will serve as a mentor.

Skills to Be Developed:

Selecting and organizing a topic/identifying a suitable problem
Brainstorming and organizing study questions
Using a study method
Collecting information
Developing and presenting a product
Evaluating the study

In addition to honing their skills using traditional library reference materials, students will learn to access and evaluate information on the Internet. They will also practice gathering primary source material through such techniques as interviews, surveys, polls, and letter writing.

All students will create reports in various formats including:

Brochures
PowerPoint Presentations
Web Sites
Webquests
Scavenger Hunts
Tracks (i.e. Trackstar)
Video
Charts and Graphs
Traditional Research Papers or Reports

Grading Policy:

In order to assure that our students are willing to take risks in learning and move out of their comfort zones, student products will be evaluated based on performance rubrics. Students will be expected to complete assignments successfully in a timely manner.

Resources Used:

The Gifted and Talented Performance Standard Project

Gifted/Talented Plan 2004: WISD

TEA Division of Advanced Academic Service Homepage @ http://www.tea.state.tx.us/gted/

The Thinkers Toolbox: Dale Seymour Publication @

Special Needs in the General Classroom: Susan Gingas Fitzell

Problem Solving TOOLS for Thinking: Dalissa Brandenburg, Region III ESC

The Research Book for Gifted Programs K-8: Nancy Polette, Pieces of Learning

Independent Study Program: Susan K. and Kay Johnson, Prufrock Press

Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) @ http://www.txgifted.org/

McGee-Keiser Academic Enrichment Programs @ http://www.mcgee-keiser.com/