Gifted Curriculum 2019-20 School Year

Primary Grade Units

First Semester: Cycles

Brenda McGee, Debbie Keiser Triska, Angie Harrelson

What is a cycle? How are cycles and patterns related? What parts of our lives function on cycles? These and many other intriguing questions await students in this exciting guide. Students will explore cycles and patterns in time and calendars. Misconceptions about the phases of the moon will be laid to rest in a practical lunar cycle simulation. Students will “become” butterflies and predict what they will look like in their “adult” stages of life. Ocean currents, recycling, and an in-depth look at the Tour de France will keep students thirsting for more knowledge about cycles in their lives.

Second Semester: Discoveries

Brenda McGee, Debbie Keiser Triska, Angie Harrelson

From the gold rush in California to the many uses of crayons, students explore the diversity and complexity of the concept of discovery. Through the eyes of a tiny mouse, students are led to evaluate and discover what they are truly made of. Students investigate why discoveries from the past are important to the present and future. Students will examine how discoveries are made and explore the idea of serendipity. During the Discoveries curriculum, students will see the value of curiosity and perseverance.

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Intermediate Grade Units

First Semester: Ancient Roots and Ruins: A Guide to Understanding the Romans, Their World, and Their Language

Ariel Baska

This book focuses on the important role of the Romans in shaping modern language, history, and culture. Short papers highlight and introduce Roman contributions in the areas of language, philosophy and religion, literature, art and architecture, history, law, and government. Lessons and concepts within the book are designed to be interdisciplinary. Organized around the Integrated Curriculum Model, each unit focuses on a major concept, with essential questions, introductory materials, lessons, activities, and resources. The five major units covered are: Time, Space, Power, Innovation, and Expression, each with supporting materials on Latin vocabulary, Roman daily life, Latin expressions, mythology, and connections to other subject areas.

Second Semester: CSI Expert!: Forensic Science for Kids

Karen K. Schulz

Crime scene investigation is hotter than ever, and kids everywhere will love learning about how their favorite detectives use science to figure out unsolvable thefts, arsons, mysteries, and more. CSI Expert!: Forensic Science for Kids includes more than 25 in-depth activities on fingerprinting, evidence collection, blood-stain identification, forensic careers, ballistics, and much more.Students will love collecting dental impressions, studying their classmates' fingerprints, looking at tool marks left at the scene of the crime, analyzing mysterious powders, and discovering the various types of counterfeit checks.

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Middle Grade Units

First and Second Semester: Kesler Science Lab Stem Challenges

Chris Kesler

These are written for middle school students. Each challenge takes on a 21st-century problem and walks students through the engineering design process. The STEM challenges are aligned to the middle school TEKS and NGSS standards.

The CHALLENGES (not necessarily taught in sequence) :

Project: Hurricane Defender - Build a Hurricane Proof House

Project: Rocket Launch - Create Rocket That is Ready for Launch

Project: Birdman - Design a Bird Beak for a Feeding Frenzy

Project: Electric - Design a System to Harness Wave Energy

Project: Inhabit Mars - Build a Landing Device for Mars

Project: Lunar Base - Design a Lunar Colony

Project: Move - Design a Pulley System To Move a Heavy Load

Project: Save the Oceans - Design a Device to Clean the Oceans

Project: Skydive - Design a Parachute For Your New Business

Project: Thrills - Design A Fast and Furious Roller Coaster

Project: Wind and Sky - Create a 21st Century Turbine

Project: Explore Mars - Create a Space Probe for a MARS Mission