QUEST
Question. Unite. Explore. Strive. Think.
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Fourth 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 Family News
QUEST Family News
It was an amazing third 9 weeks in QUEST! In this edition of QUEST Family News, we are excited to share with you a bit of what you can expect in QUEST during the fourth nine weeks (March 10 - May 21). You will also find information on our 5th grade passion project showcase, Camp Invention, and more below! And don't forget to check out the Family Resources tab for spring break and summer camps and other ideas for your gifted and highly capable students!
You can find the name and contact information of your campus Advanced Academics Specialist (QUEST teacher) by clicking the QUEST Staff tab at the top of this page. There you will also see contact information for Cheryl Harris, Advanced Academics Coordinator, and Emily Biggers, Elementary Advanced Academics District Facilitator.
QUEST
Social Media
Check out QUEST on social media!
Instagram @hebisdquest
5th grade QUEST Purposeful Passion Project Showcase - April 5th at Pat May Center
Families of all 5th grade QUEST students are invited to attend our 5th grade QUEST Purposeful Passion Project Showcase on Saturday, April 5th. There will be two sessions. See below for your school's session assignment.
Please Note: Each campus Advanced Academics Specialist will be in touch with parents of fifth grade QUEST students with further details regarding the showcase.
Session 1: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Schools: Arbor Creek, Bedford Heights, Bell Manor, Bellaire, Donna Park, Harrison Lane, Hurst Hills, Lakewood, Meadow Creek, Midway Park, North Euless, River Trails
Enter Pat May Center & set up between 8:30 - 8:45 A.M.
Be ready to present at 9:00 A.M.
Session 2: 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Schools: Oakwood Terrace, Shady Brook, Shady Oaks, South Euless, Spring Garden, Stonegate, Trinity Lakes, Viridian, Wilshire
Enter Pat May Center & set up between 10:15 - 10:30 A.M.
Be ready to present at 10:45 A.M.
4th grade QUEST students and their parents are also invited to attend. This will give your student a sneak peek of what is to come for them!
Parents, please make your way around, visiting various student stations for about five minutes each to hear about these awesome passion projects!
Please Note: 4th grade showcases will be held on campuses. Each campus AAS will be sending out information about 4th grade campus showcase dates and time.
Register Here for Camp Invention in HEB ISD!
Scroll down to learn more about QUEST!
Fourth Nine Weeks in QUEST
Kindergarten
The Advanced Academics Specialist will meet at least twice per month in March, April, and May with newly identified kindergarten QUEST students. They will be working on challenges and tasks that will ignite critical and creative thinking help them transition into first grade QUEST.
We are excited to welcome these new students to QUEST!
Grades 1, 2, and 3
Our QUEST unit of study for grades 1, 2, and 3 for the fourth nine weeks is Scientific Exploration. Our study focuses on coral reefs and marine archaeology.
Students will work through a lockbox mystery full of coral reef themed challenges.
They will learn about the Great Barrier Reef, the life cycle of coral, and take part in some fun science experiments related to buoyancy and displacement. They will explore scuba diving, read a biography of Jacques Cousteau, and exercise those creative thinking skills as they construct a coral reef from upcycled art materials and an edible model of a coral polyp!
The final nine weeks in QUEST for the year is sure to be a blast as these students take a "deep dive" into scientific exploration!
Grades 4 & 5
Fourth and fifth grade QUEST students are working through fun math challenges that enrich their regular math curriculum this nine weeks. They are also learning about the various types of engineers and participating in some engaging engineering challenges that require critical and creative thinking.
These students are wrapping up 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
Purposeful Passion Project showcases will take place on campuses (4th grade QUEST) and at the Pat May Center (5th grade QUEST). See detailed information above about 5th grade's showcase!
QUEST fourth and fifth graders will take part in some fun science lessons this nine weeks that extend their learning from the regular classroom. Topics center around the big ideas of Adaptations and Traits (4th grade) and Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors (5th grade).
Finally, these QUEST students are exploring computer coding. They will complete some coding tasks that challenge their skills! Be looking for a family newsletter that shares ideas for carrying coding into summer break.
Grade 6
While gifted students are served through AdvAc classes in sixth grade, our service model includes designated time with the campus Advanced Academics Specialist for this group. These students are hard at work on campus service projects and they are also preparing for the transition to junior high school.
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 Standards
QUEST Standards
Independence
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Communication
Research
Collaboration
Leadership
QUEST Progress
QUEST Progress
Assessment in QUEST classes is aligned with our program standards. After each nine weeks ends, 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
The following descriptors are used on the QUEST Progress report:
Distinguished: well above expectations for QUEST students in the grade for this standard
Accomplished: above expectations for QUEST students in the grade for this standard
Proficient: on target for QUEST students in this grade for this standard
Developing: approaching the target for QUEST students in the grade for this standard.
Beginning: starting to demonstrate the standard
Not Observed may indicate that this standard was not emphasized during this term.
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!
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