QUEST
Question. Unite. Explore. Strive. Think.
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Third Nine Weeks
2024 - 2025
QUEST stands for Question, Unite, Explore, Strive, and Think. These active verbs describe what you will see happening in our pull-out classes with gifted and highly capable students. This newsletter is emailed to QUEST families quarterly to provide a bit of information regarding the program.
Please note: Family Resources are available on the tab at the top right. Past editions of this newsletter may be located by clicking the Archives tab at the top of this page.
QUEST Logo & Social Media
Check out our new QUEST logo & follow QUEST on social media!
Instagram @hebisdquest
QUEST Family News
QUEST Family News
The second 9-weeks of QUEST was awesome! In this edition of QUEST Family News, we are excited to share with you a bit of what you can expect in QUEST during our third nine weeks which began January 7th.
You can find the name and contact information of your campus Advanced Academics Specialist by clicking the QUEST Staff tab at the top of this page. You will also see contact information for Cheryl Harris, Advanced Academics Coordinator, and Emily Biggers, Elementary Advanced Academics District Facilitator.
QUEST Family Engagement
QUEST Family Engagement
Our QUEST Family Game Night was a great success in November!
We would love for you and your family to attend our next QUEST Family Engagement Night on Monday, February 3rd at Pat May Center! Check out the flyer to the right and RSVP now!
Parents/guardians may choose two of the following 25-minute sessions. These sessions will be repeated during block 1 & 2 and include:
Enrichment Opportunities for Gifted/Highly Capable Students
Intensities (Intellectual, Emotional, etc.)
Twice Exceptional (Gifted + ADHD, dyslexic, autistic, etc.)
Secondary Advanced Academics (Where is your student headed in HEB ISD?)
Perfectionism
QUEST Readers (Book & Series Suggestions for Gifted/Highly Capable Readers)
When you arrive, please walk your QUEST student (& siblings in grades 1 - 6) to the designated Improvisational Theater Activity Room (grades 1 - 3 & 4 - 6), and then parents/guardians may join a Block 1 Session. There will be signs posted with room numbers. Please Note: Kindergarten students and younger children must stay with a parent/guardian. Block 1 Sessions begin at 6:05 and Block 2 Sessions begin at 6:35 p.m. After Block 2 Sessions, parents will pick up students from the Improv Rooms.
We are planning a QUEST Family Picnic Social this spring!
In order to help us provide enough seats and helpers, please RSVP using the link or QR code below for our Feb. 3 QUEST Family Engagement event. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Click here or scan the QR code above to RSVP for February 3rd!
Scroll down to learn more about QUEST!
Third Nine Weeks in QUEST
Kindergarten
Kindergartners are engaging in learning experiences that ignite their creative and critical thinking.
Grades 1, 2, and 3
Our QUEST unit of study for grades 1, 2, and 3 for the third nine weeks is Location Exploration. Our study focuses on geography.
Students will work through a lockbox mystery that ultimately helps them determine a mystery destination (for an imaginary trip!). They will learn about the location and have opportunities to create flags, petroglyph symbols, and a topographic map.
Students will experience the geographic inquiry process, learn about careers in the field of geography, explore their cartographic skills, and even have an introduction to geographic movement.
They will put creativity and critical thinking skills to work as they design a new community and plan a trip using maps!
Grades 4 & 5
Fourth and fifth grade QUEST students are reading a novel this nine weeks. Fourth grade is reading Zane and the Hurricane, Chasing Vermeer, Esperanza Rising, OR Number the Stars. Fifth grade is reading A Night Divided, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, OR Bud, Not Buddy. QUEST teachers and students are connecting their reading to the universal theme (4th: Power, 5th: Change) and thinking critically to analyze texts using the elements of Depth and Complexity.
These QUEST students continue their work on Purposeful Passion Projects which pertain to an area of personal interest. The process is comprised of what we call "the six P's":
Passion
Plan
Pitch
Project
Product
Presentation
Our QUEST program goal mirrors that of the Texas State Plan for the Education of the Gifted and Talented as stated below. Students will present their projects at the campus (4th grade) or district (5th grade) level. Information is forthcoming about our 5th grade PPP Showcase, but please save the date - Saturday, April 5th!
STATE GOAL FOR SERVICES FOR GIFTED/TALENTED STUDENTS
Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication 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/talented students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.
HEB ISD Objective:
Each fourth and fifth grade QUEST student in HEB ISD will complete at least one Purposeful Passion Project this school year. With guidance from the AAS, the student will self-select a topic related to an individual passion, and work through the six P's of the process. This work will culminate in the creation and presentation of a product and presentation.
Grade 6
While gifted students are served through AdvAc classes in sixth grade, our QUEST service model includes designated time with the campus Advanced Academics Specialist for this group.
Sixth grade QUEST students will continue with their year-long focus on leadership and service.
Sixth grade QUEST students are beginning to make plans for school service projects in January and will continue work on these throughout the semester. They are also identifying their individual strengths, weaknesses, "quirks," and learning about healthy self-acceptance.
QUEST Standards
QUEST Standards
Independence
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Communication
Research
Collaboration
Leadership
QUEST Curriculum
QUEST Curriculum
QUEST curriculum is centered around year-long universal themes and generalizations. It is made up of student learning experiences that integrate STEAMSS (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math, and Social Studies) and Reading. Creative and critical thinking skills are woven throughout with focused attention on developing both independent and collaborative learning skills. The elements of Depth and Complexity as well as Content Imperatives help students reach the highest levels of thinking as they tackle QUEST challenges.
2024 - 2025 QUEST universal themes:
Grades 1, 2, and 3: EXPLORATION
Grade 4: POWER
Grade 5: CHANGE
QUEST Progress
QUEST Progress
Assessment in QUEST classes is aligned with our program standards. After the end of each nine weeks, you will receive your child's QUEST progress report so that you may track his/her growth. Below you will see a list of dates you can expect a QUEST progress report to be sent home with your student.
QUEST Progress Report Schedule
2024 - 25
Week of October 14
Week of January 13
Week of March 10
Week of May 19
QUEST Schedule
QUEST Schedule
QUEST Classes with the Campus Advanced Academics Specialist:
Grades 1 - 3 4x per week 45 minutes per session
Grades 4 - 5 4x per week 60 minutes per session
Grade 6 2x per month 60 minutes per session
The Advanced Academics Specialist visits kindergarten classes on a periodic basis in the fall to teach whole-class lessons and begins serving QUEST kindergarten students in the spring when the kindergarten GT identification process is complete.
This schedule may be modified during certain weeks due to circumstances such as school holidays and STAAR testing.
If you would like more information regarding the QUEST schedule on your campus, please check with the Advanced Academics Specialist.
Chartered in 1978, TAGT is the nation’s largest state advocacy group of its kind, providing more than 3,000 members a forum for exchanging ideas and information about the education of G/T students. TAGT recognizes the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students and provides educational services to meet these needs.
The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) has opportunities for parents and students that you will want to take advantage of. These include parent webinars on various topics related to giftedness, scholarships for gifted students to attend summer camps, and other useful information.
NAGC is the National Association for Gifted Children. Check out the website here! NAGC is the nation's leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children. Dedicated to uplifting and empowering those who support children with advanced abilities, NAGC provides energizing professional learning, impactful research, and inspiring advocacy to ensure all children have equitable opportunities and support to develop their gifts and talents.
Baylor TIP
Check out all the amazing opportunities offered through Baylor TIP for gifted students and their families. They offer Super Saturdays, online courses, and more! In the coming months, be on the lookout for information about Baylor's 6th Annual GT Parent Conference, held in collaboration with GEFN, which is scheduled for March 29, 2025!
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