Lewis and Clark Middle School has maintained an outstanding record of academic excellence. Students who attend Lewis and Clark are well prepared to meet the academic rigors of high school. Our mission is to provide a rigorous academic experience that is based on research and best practices and enables all students to achieve their highest potential.

The goal of the Gifted and Talented program is to offer a differentiated, rigorous curriculum by providing curricular and instructional adaptations that address the unique needs of high-ability learners. At Lewis and Clark Middle School, the program is organized to address these needs through a combination of the following methods:

o   Differentiation

o   Advanced Classes

o   Contest/Competitions

o   Enrichment Activities and Clubs

Our Gifted and Talented Program at Lewis and Clark is based on best practices. We want to support your high learner-ability. We will be making sure our courses are differentiated. We will support staff through collaboration and professional development and by planning and providing opportunities for your child. In this packet you will find detailed information about our Gifted and Talented Program. Please read through the information provided. I have also included a Student Planning Sheet for students to use as a guide to plan activities they would like to participate in this year.

Goal of the Gifted & Talented Program

Lewis and Clark offers many academic courses and activities to enrich the curriculum established by the Omaha Public Schools.  Our Gifted & Talented (GATE) program is designed for students who wish to be challenged through academic competition, honors courses, special activities, and programs.  We believe that all students need high expectations and challenges based on individual needs.  Our classroom teachers use differentiated instruction in their lessons to meet the needs and interest of all levels of learners.  Students are expected to develop self-discipline by meeting deadlines, asking questions, and acquiring organizational and study skills as they strive to become both independent and successful at the middle level and beyond.

Identification

The Omaha Public Schools’ method of identifying gifted and talented students is modeled after the NAGC (National Association of Gifted Children).  Identification includes performance at 130 or above on IQ assessments and 95% or above on any sub-tests of the California Achievement Tests.  

Selection for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program at Lewis and Clark can also be determined by a student’s performance in certain courses.  Identification encompasses the following five areas: Intellectual, Academic, Creative, Leadership, and Visual/Performing Arts. Middle school is an opportunity for students to self-select areas that allow them to explore and capitalize on their strengths, display their talents, and excel. Whether it is found in their coursework, a competition, a contest, or an extracurricular activity, a student’s giftedness and/or talents can blossom and develop at Lewis and Clark Middle School.

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Competitions/Activities

Coordinated by the Office of Gifted and Talented 

Academic Pentathlon: The newest program of the United States Academic Decathlon for middle school students was created to provide opportunities to experience the challenges of a rigorous team and individual competition in five events: Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, and Social Studies. The Pentathlon theme parallels that of the high school Academic Decathlon program.  (currently optional for a school to participate)

Book Blasters: Book Blasters is a district-wide competition that involves a team of students who are responsible for reading approximately 12 selected novels. Teams then compete to see who reigns supreme in knowledge of the novels’ content.

Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP): The 7th grade talent search through Duke University provides an opportunity for high ability students to pursue an above-level testing experience. 

Poetry SLAMS:  Each fall and spring student poets from each middle school take the stage and share their writing with their peers.  SLAMS provide an outlet to express feelings, thoughts and ideas with an audience that yearns for student expression.

Quiz Bowl: Quiz Bowl is an academic competition. A four-member team competes against the clock answering questions from various disciplines. Skills, such as teamwork, cooperative group discussion, problem solving, and reaction time, are enhanced through practices and competitions.

Read to Succeed (R2S): Middle Level schools with fifth and six grade students may compete in this elementary competition. Students read 10 novels (Big Ten) and compete in a team approach to gain a spot in the Super Ten competition. The contest was designed to promote and encourage the love of reading. (middle schools with 5th and 6th grade students)

Scholars: Seventh and Eighth grade students (selected) for the Scholars program engage in activities that are goal-oriented.  Students learn more about themselves, support on another, and achieve success at school. Various events are planned to prepare students for their high school years and beyond i.e., College Campus tours, Gallup Strength Finder, ACT prep, etiquette course and more.

Think Tank: Think Tank is a competitive problem-solving event for 7th and 8th graders held on the UNO campus. This day long event features a game that involves creative problem solving. 

 Lewis and Clark Middle School

Gifted and Talented Enrichment Activities and Competitions

Book Blasters:  Book Blasters is a district-wide competition that involves a team of students who are responsible for reading approximately eighteen to twenty selected novels.  Teams then compete to see who reigns supreme in knowledge of the novels’ content.

Geography Bee:  All Buffett students participate in a written geography test.  Participants with the highest scores move on to Buffett’s oral Geography Bee.  The winner of Buffett’s Geography Bee takes a written Qualifying Test for the state Geography Bee.

History Day:  Buffett students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 have the opportunity to participate in the Nebraska History Day Contest.  Each year there is a theme that presents students with many fascinating opportunities to explore history.  Students choose one of eight categories to participate in.

National Junior Honor Society:  National Junior Honor Society is open to 7th and 8th grade students with a 3.75 cumulative grade point average or higher.  Acceptance is based on scholarship, leadership, service and character.  Induction of new members takes place in the spring.

Spelling Bee:  The Spelling Bee is sponsored by the Omaha World-Herald.  All Buffett students take a written spelling test to determine the field of eligible candidates.

Talent Identification Program:  The 7th Grade Talent Search through Duke University provides an opportunity for highly able students to pursue an above-level testing experience.  Eligible students to take the ACT or SAT must have scored at the 95 percentile or higher on a grade level standardized achievement test which for OPS is the California Achievement Test.

Think Tank:  Think Tank is a competitive problem solving event for 7th and 8th graders at UNO.  It features a game that involves creative problem solving.

Math Contests:  Math contests/competitions are available for all grade levels throughout the year.  Students in Grades 5 and 6 are selected to participate by classroom performance and teacher nomination.  Students in Grades 7 and 8 must be a member of MATHCOUNTS to participate in competitions.

Quiz Bowl:  Quiz Bowl is an academic competition for students in grades 7 and 8.  A four member team competes against the clock answering questions from various disciplines.  Skills such as team work, cooperative group discussion, problem solving and reaction time are enhanced through practices and competition. 

MATHCOUNTS:  MATHCOUNTS Competition is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging “bee” style contests.  It is supported by the National Society of Professional Engineers at the state and local levels.

African American History Challenge:  The AAHC is a national educational program designed by the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to enhance the study of African-American history.  The goal of the local competition is to encourage pride, self-worth, and an appreciation of the African-American legacy and culture in Omaha youth.

Science Bowl:  Science Bowl is a fun, fast-paced, tournament-style academic competition that challenges and recognizes middle school students’ knowledge of science and mathematics.

Academic Pentathlon: The newest program of United States Academic Decathlon for middle school students, grades 6-7-8, was created to provide opportunities for students to experience the challenges of a rigorous team and individual competition in five events: Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science and Social Science. The Pentathlon theme parallels that of the high school Academic Decathlon program.

Future City Competition: This program offers students a fun way to build their math and science skills and learn about engineering by solving the real-world problems in designing cities of the future. Grades 7-8 can compete, 6th graders can participate.

7th and 8th Grade Leadership Team:  Students who have demonstrated the positive qualities of a leader are nominated and chosen from each grade level.  Students attend selected activities and workshops sponsored by the OPS Gifted and Talented Department.

7th and 8th Grade Scholars:  The students in the Scholars program are an association of goal-oriented students who strive to learn more about themselves, support one another and achieve success at school.