Talent Developent

The Texas State Plan for the Gifted/Talented requires the following:

Opportunities are provided for students to pursue areas of interest in selected disciplines through guided and independent research. A continuum of learning experiences is provided that leads to the development of advanced-level products and/or performances such as those provided through the Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP).Students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication that reflect individuality and creativity that are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. 

Fall semester 

During the Fall semester we will be doing THINK LAW lessons.  These lessons teach critical thinking that engages learners in a loosely-scripted program that allows for learner-based instruction.  Many probing questions encourage children to think about all sides of a story and how each character has a good argument.  Children have deep discussions and ask a lot of questions.  The older grades(4th and 5th) focus on actual legal cases.  Answers to probing questions are not right or wrong- they are supported and unsupported.  Children learn that it's ok to disagree!  We do activities that go along with these.  These are considered part of the ALPPs.   Here's a BLOG if you would like to read more about it.  We also include as needed.  We do a variety of things such as Social Emotional Lessons (SEL), quick debates, math challenges, logic puzzles, escape rooms, and many other types of enrichment activities. 

Spring Semester

During the Spring semester, students will be doing a project on a topic of their choice.  These project's topics can be selected from the  TPSP website or generated by an interest the student already has.  After students have selected a topic and it has been approved by the TAG teacher, students will conduct a large process researching their topic. Along the way they will cite their sources from where they gather their information. Each student will 'create' a  product that relates to their topic. The 'product' can be a plan, a video, a paper, a brochure, an experiment, etc.

Student will be graded on the premises of this rubric. They will also prepare to present their project at the ALPPS showcase. The showcase will be at McNeil High School on an evening date in April. More info to come.

Please visit the ALPPS page of our website by clicking the button below, to learn more about the projects & see example projects!