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Contact Information
Mary Tessin, Supervisor
Office of Gifted and Talented Education
Omaha Public Schools
(Click Star)
Contact Information
Mary Tessin, Supervisor
Office of Gifted and Talented Education
Omaha Public Schools
(Click Star)
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| Middle Level Gifted and Talented Sponsored Events
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Middle Level Events
Sponsored by the Office of Gifted and Talented
Book Blasters
Calling all readers!! Students prepare for this competition by reading as many books as they can from a list of 17-20 young adult titles. Teams then test their knowledge of the books with questions phrased so that the title of the book is the answer. Extra points are given for knowledge of the authors. Each middle school may send two four-person teams to the Book Blaster competition. The tournament is a double-elimination format. Click here for the current book list.
Leadership Team
The purpose of the Middle School Leadership Team is to provide opportunities for a select group of students in grades 7th and 8th to experience and develop leadership, teamwork, and service through activities conducted at the district and campus levels over a two-year period. Although selection criteria varies by school, qualities such as the following are used to select the team:
•above average grades
•strong work ethic
• cooperation
• creativity
• self-motivation
• assertiveness
Activities are designed to build upon existing leadership skills and increase awareness of community leadership opportunities. Events sponsored by the Office of Gifted and Talented include:
7th Grade:
• Leadership Seminar - students learn more about problem-solving, team building, leadership styles and more at this half-day workshop organized and facilitated by their gifted and talented facilitators
• Team Challenge - students travel to Gifford Farm to experience a day of physical and mental challenges designed to build cooperation, problem-solving, and creativity in an outdoor environment.
8th Grade:
• Youth Volunteer Day - students learn more about community service as representatives from a variety of agencies share information about volunteer opportunities, in the metro area, available to middle school students.
• Tour of Omaha - students learn the impact past and current leaders have had on Omaha, as students take an extended bus tour to visit sites that are important to the history and future of our great city.
Optional Activities (vary by campus) include service projects, curriculum from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, community guest speakers, and Teen Success activities.
Scholars
The Scholars is a selective group of students from each middle school who strive to learn more about themselves, support one another, and achieve success at school. Students qualify for The Scholars program through selected critieria. The Scholars set realistic and attainable goals, volunteer in their community, learn and practice social skills and interview techniques, and socialize with their peers.
Students have the opportunity to discover their strengths (Gallup Clifton strength finder), visit college campuses, explore career fields, visit elementary schools as mentors and readers, participate in community service projects, and meet monthly with peers for topic talks and a book club. Specific events include taking: the Cliffton strengthfinder assessment @ Gallup in seventh grade and the ACT at both 7th and 8th grade to strengthen character and knowledge as they prepare for senior high.
Think Tank
A Problem-Solving CompetitionToday’s students are tomorrow’s problem-solvers! In this problem-solving competition, middle school students are given the opportunity to simulate a real-life think tank, where the world’s problems are solved. Each year an issue is selected and students delve into all sides of the topic through in-depth research.
TIP (Talent Identification Program) Test Prep
The Talent Search is the largest program of its kind in the nation, representing participation from 6,061 junior high and middle schools in the Duke TIP 16-state region. Over 1.5 million students have completed the Talent Search since its inception in 1980. The Talent Search identifies academically talented 7th graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are identified and invited to complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination. Duke TIP then provides the participants with comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities. Our gifted and talented facilitators support this program and provide test prep session prior to testing dates.
Quiz Bowl Quads and Competition Finale
Academic competition where a 4 member team competes against the clock answering questions from various disciplines (math, language arts, language, science and the arts). Skills such as team work, cooperative group discussion, problem solving and quickness are enhanced through practices and competition. QUADS allow each middle school 3-4 opportunities to practice before the compeition finale in May. This competition serves as a springboard to high school Academic Decathlon.
Pentathlon competition
Pentathlon is an Academic Decathlon competition at the middle level. Students study the same theme and compete in a district and national competition via online.
Poetry Slams
Twice each year, spring and fall, poetry comes alive as students perform original writings in a forum of collaboration and celebration. Students gather at the Pizza Shoppe in Benson on stage to share their creations. Seasoned metro area poets join and model slam protocol.
For other Middle Level Events - see each school's brochure/flyer for specific offerings
Middle Level Events
Sponsored by the Office of Gifted and Talented
Book Blasters
Calling all readers!! Students prepare for this competition by reading as many books as they can from a list of 17-20 young adult titles. Teams then test their knowledge of the books with questions phrased so that the title of the book is the answer. Extra points are given for knowledge of the authors. Each middle school may send two four-person teams to the Book Blaster competition. The tournament is a double-elimination format. Click here for the current book list.
Leadership Team
The purpose of the Middle School Leadership Team is to provide opportunities for a select group of students in grades 7th and 8th to experience and develop leadership, teamwork, and service through activities conducted at the district and campus levels over a two-year period. Although selection criteria varies by school, qualities such as the following are used to select the team:
•above average grades
•strong work ethic
• cooperation
• creativity
• self-motivation
• assertiveness
Activities are designed to build upon existing leadership skills and increase awareness of community leadership opportunities. Events sponsored by the Office of Gifted and Talented include:
7th Grade:
• Leadership Seminar - students learn more about problem-solving, team building, leadership styles and more at this half-day workshop organized and facilitated by their gifted and talented facilitators
• Team Challenge - students travel to Gifford Farm to experience a day of physical and mental challenges designed to build cooperation, problem-solving, and creativity in an outdoor environment.
8th Grade:
• Youth Volunteer Day - students learn more about community service as representatives from a variety of agencies share information about volunteer opportunities, in the metro area, available to middle school students.
• Tour of Omaha - students learn the impact past and current leaders have had on Omaha, as students take an extended bus tour to visit sites that are important to the history and future of our great city.
Optional Activities (vary by campus) include service projects, curriculum from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, community guest speakers, and Teen Success activities.
Scholars
The Scholars is a selective group of students from each middle school who strive to learn more about themselves, support one another, and achieve success at school. Students qualify for The Scholars program through selected critieria. The Scholars set realistic and attainable goals, volunteer in their community, learn and practice social skills and interview techniques, and socialize with their peers.
Students have the opportunity to discover their strengths (Gallup Clifton strength finder), visit college campuses, explore career fields, visit elementary schools as mentors and readers, participate in community service projects, and meet monthly with peers for topic talks and a book club. Specific events include taking: the Cliffton strengthfinder assessment @ Gallup in seventh grade and the ACT at both 7th and 8th grade to strengthen character and knowledge as they prepare for senior high.
Think Tank
A Problem-Solving CompetitionToday’s students are tomorrow’s problem-solvers! In this problem-solving competition, middle school students are given the opportunity to simulate a real-life think tank, where the world’s problems are solved. Each year an issue is selected and students delve into all sides of the topic through in-depth research.
TIP (Talent Identification Program) Test Prep
The Talent Search is the largest program of its kind in the nation, representing participation from 6,061 junior high and middle schools in the Duke TIP 16-state region. Over 1.5 million students have completed the Talent Search since its inception in 1980. The Talent Search identifies academically talented 7th graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are identified and invited to complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination. Duke TIP then provides the participants with comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities. Our gifted and talented facilitators support this program and provide test prep session prior to testing dates.
Quiz Bowl Quads and Competition Finale
Academic competition where a 4 member team competes against the clock answering questions from various disciplines (math, language arts, language, science and the arts). Skills such as team work, cooperative group discussion, problem solving and quickness are enhanced through practices and competition. QUADS allow each middle school 3-4 opportunities to practice before the compeition finale in May. This competition serves as a springboard to high school Academic Decathlon.
Pentathlon competition
Pentathlon is an Academic Decathlon competition at the middle level. Students study the same theme and compete in a district and national competition via online.
Poetry Slams
Twice each year, spring and fall, poetry comes alive as students perform original writings in a forum of collaboration and celebration. Students gather at the Pizza Shoppe in Benson on stage to share their creations. Seasoned metro area poets join and model slam protocol.
For other Middle Level Events - see each school's brochure/flyer for specific offerings
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