The TAGT Legacy Book Awards honor books published in the United States that not only have long-term potential for positively influencing the lives of gifted individuals, but in addition, contribute to the understanding, well-being, education and success of gifted and talented students. The curriculum materials category encompasses supporting materials that educators might use in the classroom, such as workbooks, lesson plans, manuals and classroom activities.

This year 20 books were submitted by 13 publishing companies and reviewed by 29 readers. In all, awards were given in four categories from the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented. The categories include: Curricular Materials; Educator; Parent and Scholar.

Representatives from Kendall Hunt Publishing Company accepted the 2018 Legacy Book Award for Curriculum Materials for the unit Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile during the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented Annual Conference Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Ft. Worth, Texas. 

Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile, authored by the William & Mary Center for Gifted Education, is designed for gifted students in grades 2-3. The focus revolves around the idea that human civilizations develop and sustain themselves as a collection of interdependent systems. The civilization of ancient Egypt forms the central content of the unit, with exploration of systems of agriculture, economics, language and leadership in this ancient culture. Students broaden their understanding by comparing the ancient Egyptian civilization with aspects of their own lives and communities.

Kendall Hunt is a three-time Texas Legacy Award recipient. Mind Your Time, authored by the William & Mary Center for Gifted Education was honored as the 2017 Curricular Materials Award Recipient. The Pursuit of Justice, authored by Mary Ann Yedinak was recognized as the 2016 Curricular Materials Award Recipient. Additionally, the Kendall Hunt’s Project M3 unit Shopping at the Bazaar: Connecting Number and Algebra with the Meerkats was also considered for the 2017 TAGT Legacy Book Award.

“For one of the Kendall Hunt products to be recognized one year as a Legacy Book Award winner by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented is an honor, but doing so three years in a row is indescribable,” said Charley Cook, vice president of Kendall Hunt Publishing Company K-12 Division.