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Color Theory

by el ed

Jul 29, 2011

Color Theory

This is something my IG gifted students enjoyed and learned from.(Masters in gifted ed and 21 years experience in the field).

We got powdered tempera paints in bulk (cheaper) We studied primary colors and made them from the powdered tempera (just add water). You might bring in that black and white are not really "col...See More

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New to GT and self-contained...

by A lot to learn... fast!

Aug 4, 2011

I will be teaching fourth grade GT and it will be self contained. I've taught all subjects except for math, so I'm feeling pretty confident.

Do you have any tips as to how to run/organize my classroom this year as opposed to past years? Are there graphic organizers, word walls, graphics you post in your room that might be helpful in mine? ...See More

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el ed We used music in various ways in studies. Chess is a great game for GT students to play, as are Otello, boggle, scrabble.

On 8/09/11, el ed wrote: > I taught(2nd-8th)IG(Intellectually Gifted) Enrichment classes. > I had a masters in gifted ed. I have been retired for a > decade, so some info may be dated. > > I taught most g...See MoreWe used music in various ways in studies. Chess is a great game for GT students to play, as are Otello, boggle, scrabble.

On 8/09/11, el ed wrote: > I taught(2nd-8th)IG(Intellectually Gifted) Enrichment classes. > I had a masters in gifted ed. I have been retired for a > decade, so some info may be dated. > > I taught most grades separately for one class period each day. > > Having a gifted class self-contained would have been a dream > job to me. I enjoyed teaching 4th graders, too. > > You are in for a treat. Let the kids know how pleased you are > to be their teacher. > > Catch them being "good" and heap praise on them. > > One year I had a class of about six 6th graders, who were a > great class and their behavior was very good, usually. The > office sent for me because I had a phone call. As I came back > to our building and was still on the sidewalk, I could hear > what sounded like our room being demolished. There was another > classroom on the top floor with us and a classroom below. > > I went in our building ready to really "let them have it'. > Before I opened the door to the din of my 6th graders, I > remembered how well behaved they usually were, so I changed my > strategy. > > I walked in and said sternly, "Who are you imposters and what > have you done with my great class of 6th graders? I am going > to go outside and when I come back in YOU HAD BETTER BE GONE > and have returned my wonderful class". > > When I came back in the room in less than a minute, MY class > was back and on task. I told them that I was so glad to see MY > class was back. A few looked up from their work and grinned > sheepishly. > > We never spoke of the matter again and I still do not know what > they were doing to make so much noise, but I could have left > them alone anytime after that and they would have been on task > the whole time. > > How many students will be in your class? This is important. > > GTteacher 1228 gave very good advice. Reread the post or print > it out, maybe. > > Here are some things I learned over the years. > > These kids often have subtle senses of humor. Humor went a long > way with me and them. If on rare occasions, students started > to argue, I started to sing loudly and badly. "Let There Be > Peace On Earth And Let It Begin With Me". The usual response > was, "If you will stop singing, we will stop fussing." It got > to the point if an argument broke out, someone would say, > "Stop, or she'll start singing." > > Sometimes the kids had to do certain things they failed to see > the need for required by the powers that be. I would say, "I > am just a peon around here, so just humor me." > > It got to the point that I would not have to say anything. One > or more would speak up and say, "Humor her!" > > I included student input in lesson plans and/or units. They > had some neat ideas and it made them more invested in the learning. > > Do not try to make the kids think you know all the answers. No > one does. If you try to fake it, these kids will bust you every > time. Think of yourself as a facilitator of learning. They > might enjoy this term. > > Did you study a language in school? I had courses in French, > but was nowhere near being fluent. We got records, videos, > dvd's, computer programs as well as ETV and books. These were > especially good on teaching correct pronunciations. I spoke > French with a southern accent and French speakers would have > probably laughed out loud. > > We labeled almost everything in the room with the French words > for them. They were fascinated that nouns were masculine or > feminine. Ex. Door is "la porte" and wall is "le mur". > > We learned the months and days in French. Each day the date > was on the board in French. Ex, lundi, 21 avril, 2011. which > is Monday, April 21, 2011. We learned to count in French. > > They were also interested to find that in French days of the > week, months, geographic locations(av and rue and mont). > nationalities and I, (unless Je is the first word in the > sentence--Je suis l'americaine)and religions are not usually > (almost never)capitalized. They compared this to the German > language. > > We wrote an original play in French and presented it to the > school in an assembly. It had humor. > > We usually learned about holidays. Some of our favorites were > Hanukkah and Chinese(Asian) New year(Gung hay fat choy!) and > Arbor Day and Ground Hog Day. We did many different > activities, such as those using art, math, creative writing, > play writing and map studies. > > It is important, as I am sure you already know, that your GT > students cover/master all the material covered in the regular > classroom. The wonderful thing is that your students can go > beyond. What an opportunity! > > There are ways to make math fun. We learned extras like Roman > Numerals, Bases, biographies of interesting mathematicians, and > basics of algebra. We used Math to figure tips and the cost of > meals(got kids menus from restaurants). We worked out budgets > using different scenarios and got income tax forms 1040 EZ and > did our Income Taxes during April. > > I told the kids to tell me politely if I made a mistake. I did > and they told me politely and I thanked them politely. When I > was told politely about a mistake and replied politely, it made > it much better when I needed to tell them when they made a mistake. > > Enjoy your GT kids. Have a great year! > > I hope I have given some useful info. If you want, I could > give more ideas. > > > On 8/04/11, A lot to learn... fast! wrote: >> I will be teaching fourth grade GT and it will be self >> contained. I've taught all subjects except for math, so I'm >> feeling pretty confident. >> >> Do you have any tips as to how to run/organize my classroom >> this year as opposed to past years? Are there graphic >> organizers, word walls, graphics you post in your room that >> might be helpful in mine? >> >> Any tips you have for me would be most welcome. >> >> I just finished my 30 hours GT Training and learned so many >> cool strategies and ideas. Anything else you can share >> would be helpful as well! >> >> Many thanks!

Aug 9, 2011

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A lot to learn fast..... I am so excited about starting the year off right with my students this year! Thanks to your posts, I am even more so! I will have 20 students in my class and I look forward to learning and exploring the world around us and seeing how they can apply what they've learned with these real-world applications.

Can't wait for the adventure to be...See More

Aug 11, 2011

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Reward system for Twice Exceptional kids??!!

by Kat_Kong

Aug 12, 2011

Hi, My background is teaching SPED kids but how do I use a reward system for twice-exceptional kids? I use to use raffle tickets for my low SPED kids but I am thinking that might be too simple for the Twice-Exceptionals. I am thinking of using Monopoly money as an incentive plan for TwiceExcepional kids. Any thoughts about reward plans for Twice Ex...See More

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GT Teacher On 8/12/11, Kat_Kong wrote: > Hi, > My background is teaching SPED kids but how do I use a > reward system for twice-exceptional kids? I use to use > raffle tickets for my low SPED kids but I am thinking that > might be too simple for the Twice-Exceptionals. I am > thinking of using Monopoly money as an incentive plan for > Twi...See MoreOn 8/12/11, Kat_Kong wrote: > Hi, > My background is teaching SPED kids but how do I use a > reward system for twice-exceptional kids? I use to use > raffle tickets for my low SPED kids but I am thinking that > might be too simple for the Twice-Exceptionals. I am > thinking of using Monopoly money as an incentive plan for > TwiceExcepional kids. Any thoughts about reward plans for > Twice Exceptional kids. I only use a reward system if it > seems like the kids need this...Then they can "buy" free > reading time, computer time, lunch with me, > etc......Thoughts???!!!

I wouldn't bribe gifted kids - they should have sense enough to see - if you explain it - that their behavior is what makes the school day good for everyone, including each one of them. What kind of a school day they want? One that runs fairly smooth and one they can look forward to?

Low SPED kids might need to be bribed but GT kids should see the sense of the bribe-free approach. Mine do. I promise them that I as well as them will work hard to have each day be calm and smooth and happy and together we can have a great school year.

Don't pile busy work on GT kids - that does upset them. Give them reasons for what they have to do and for what you do - they're good reasoners.

If there is time in the day for free reading, why must they 'buy' it? That's the first question they'll ask - and why buy reading time? As if reading is a frivolous pastime? Reading is a very important task - it's not a game - and they shouldn't have to buy more reading time. Any time spent reading is time well spent, not wasted.

Nor should they 'buy' lunch with you - are you a part of the classroom community or a distant celebrity? 'Buying' lunch with you suggests you're too good to eat lunch with your students - I save eating lunch with students when we really need to talk, to conference, to palaver.

The real reward for their good behavior is a pleasant, well-running classroom community that they can look forward to coming to each day. Tell them that and they can understand it. Promise them that you hold yourself to the same standards you expect of them - reasonable discussion resolves problems and regard for everybody.

Aug 16, 2011

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Leah For a related article that you may find helpful, see

Aug 24, 2011

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How much planning time do you get and for how many grade

by gm

Aug 14, 2011

levels?

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Victoria I work 2-8 in rural gifted, traveling from the middle school each morning to the elementary. I get anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes of planning each day. I have very little time at the middle school for prep so I tend to do almost everything here at the elementary. We do have about 30 minutes after students leave before we can leave. If we do...See More

Aug 16, 2011

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original poster Wow, some of you get very little time. How do you manage with so many grade levels? Do you all have to turn in lesson plans for all of your grade levels?

Aug 22, 2011

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ideas needed for young student in regular classroom

by diana

Aug 29, 2011

Hi, I teach first grade in a small private school. There is a maximum of 16 students in a class. This year, I will have a student in my class who has been tested at approximately the 99th percentile, particularly strong in languages, but also advanced in math. We have no special program at our school for gifted children. I have told his parents tha...See More

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Leah Excellent advice, Sara. I could not agree more

Sep 1, 2011

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diana Thank you both. There is a lot of information on the Hoagies site, and I'm still working my way through it. I know that he was reading Harry Potter and Bunnicula this summer, so I'll go from there... Diana

On 9/01/11, Leah wrote: > Excellent advice, Sara. I could not agree more

Sep 2, 2011

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Can't remember the product name

by Michele

Aug 30, 2011

Help! Years ago there was a product out there that I wanted to use for my G/T classes. I was a container that had various activites for the students to complete. Each container was for different abilities and/or subjects. I believe the focus was on higher level thinking skills. I can't remember the name of the product or who made them. Any help wou...See More

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Try Free Spirit Press On 8/30/11, Michele wrote: > Help! Years ago there was a product out there that I wanted > to use for my G/T classes. I was a container that had > various activites for the students to complete. Each > container was for different abilities and/or subjects. I > believe the focus was on higher level thinking skills. I > can't rememb...See More

Sep 1, 2011

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Froggybee could also be Enginuity On 9/01/11, Try Free Spirit Press wrote: > On 8/30/11, Michele wrote: >> Help! Years ago there was a product out there that I wanted >> to use for my G/T classes. I was a container that had >> various activites for the students to complete. Each >> container was for different abilities and/or subje...See More

Sep 5, 2011

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online certification - NCATE

by Lydia

Sep 1, 2011

I was interested in getting my gifted certification through an online accredited program. I heard Missouri Baptist University just approved their online gifted program and wondered if anyone had any experience with their online offerings.

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M I heard they are trying to get approval from the state and hope to have the program up and running for Spring. I have a friend who did her graduate work through them and loved it. I did mine face-to-face with another University, but I think you can't go wrong with MBU.

Oct 3, 2011

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what should a kindergarten gifted curriculum look like

by Jennifer

Sep 4, 2011

lease share your thoughts on what a gifted kindergarten curriculum should look like in a regular classroom. There is a chid in the 99th%tile in a regular kindergarten classroom. We are going to make some adjustments in the next few weeks with regards to his curriculum. He can read around a 2nd grade level already (we have had 6 days of school so fa...See More

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KK This will be a minimalist response, because you're going to need more, and it will be a bit tricky, since he's learning how to be a student in a school, in addition to academics. As you say, you can't send a little person to do independent research and expect it to work out.

One idea might be to investigate the PETS curriculum (I think the...See MoreThis will be a minimalist response, because you're going to need more, and it will be a bit tricky, since he's learning how to be a student in a school, in addition to academics. As you say, you can't send a little person to do independent research and expect it to work out.

One idea might be to investigate the PETS curriculum (I think there are four authors--one is Dodie Merritt). There is a specific K PETS book (Primary Education Thinking Skills), as well as the standard red one (which could be used in K, 1, or 2), and two other books designed for older students. If I were the gifted specialist, I would push-in to that child's classroom to do the group PETS lessons, in addition to the lessons designed for smaller pull-out groups. That solution only addresses thinking skills (evaluative, generative, spatial, deductive, classification, etc), but it would provide a positive group experience. In other words, he can get more of what he needs without removing him from his peers, and his peers will benefit from the instruction, too.

Math Rules (published by Pieces of Learning) has some great books with exercises from all different math strands. Math Analogies for Kids is another good title that might be helpful. Maybe he could replace some regular work with that and meet with a teacher or even an older student to discuss his work on a regular basis, depending on how comfortable he is doing different work than his peers. I had one student who did the same work at school, but did her "special" math at home and then brought it in to review.

Good luck!

On 9/04/11, Jennifer wrote: > Please share your thoughts on what a gifted kindergarten > curriculum should look like in a regular classroom. There > is a chid in the 99th%tile in a regular kindergarten > classroom. We are going to make some adjustments in the > next few weeks with regards to his curriculum. He can read > around a 2nd grade level already (we have had 6 days of > school so far) and his math skills and understand of > concepts is terrific! I would say his math is much stronger > than his reading at this point in his development. He loves > technology. His parents don't want him on technology all > the time as enrichment but they are okay with technology > being used on and off throughout the day. If given an > independent project to read and research, he won't be > fostering a love for learning. (After all, this is > kindergarten. Kids need to be engaged.) So I'm looking for > more in-depth hands on projects to the curriculum, > technology, puzzles, Any ideas, suggestions??

Sep 23, 2011

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