On 9/30/09, Lisa wrote: > I have been asked to set up an after-school enrichment > program. I don't know where to begin! I teach in a > parochial school and we do not have a GATE program. I was > looking at some kind of creative problem solving or > something like that...like Odyssey of the Mind, but really > will only meet with the kids once per week. That doesn't > feel like the right choice. Any other ideas, or program > suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Chess team is fun too--can even arrange little competitions with other schools.
I have done Odyseey of the Mind and it can not be done as once a week club. On 10/04/09, Gillian C wrote: > Try the math and grammar games at [link removed].
I am a retired K teacher. My principal has asked me to take a one day a week position teaching gifted children. I'll be working with grades 2 and 3 for half the day and grades 4 and 5 for the other half day. There are no curriculum guides or materials. Any suggestions would be SO appreciated! Thanks! Isabell
On 10/17/09, Isabell wrote: > These are great ideas! Thanks! What were the ages of the students on > this project? > > On 10/08/09, Shanzy wrote: >> I too am new to teaching Gifted students (I am new to teaching actually, >> this is my second career). At first the thought was overwhelming >> especially given that there is no curriculum or resources readily >> available in many schools. Once I decided on a focus things started to >> flow and really the students guided where we went with the topics. Last >> year we focused on creative thinking which lead us to Invention. I >> asked the students to think about the invention that has had the >> greatest impact on society We brainstormed various inventions and >> inventors in the end the students choose The telephone, the vaccine, the >> radio, computers, the light bulb. Student then got into groups of 4 and >> choose the invention they were going to research. We then planned to >> have a class debate to present their findings. Only catch the person >> presenting had to become the inventor and speak in first person. >> Another person in the group had the task of planning questions they were >> going to ask the other groups in the debate. (Students found this a very >> challenging role!) Another took the role of coordinating the Inventor's >> costume and advising the inventor on manorisms they should display. In >> the end the students enjoyed the debate! Students then took a step back >> from their role and considered the evidence provided and voted on who >> they felt had the biggest impact. Thomas Edison and the Light Bulb >> ended up being the winner in out class. The next step we took following >> this was for the students to beocme inventors themselves. Students >> displayed thier inventions in an invention convention where their family >> and other teachers came to view them. They came up with some wonderful >> ideas! I hope this helps! >> >> If any one is interested in helping me out with an idea I am working on >> to do with Heros I would love to get some creative juices flowing!!! >> Right now i am to stressed trying to come up with the idea that the >> creativity is stiffled! >> >> On 10/04/09, isabell wrote: >>> Thank you so much for your excellent ideas and for taking the time >>> to respond! >>> Isabell >>> >>> >>> On 10/02/09, Jayne wrote: >>>> Sometmes I ask the kids. I asked my 2/3rd grade group and they >>>> decided Rain Forest, US History and Space. We are on trimesters >>>> so we will switch units each marking period. >>>> >>>> I have also done some formal programs with my 4/5th grade group. >>>> I did artifact box exchange, newsbowl, and math olmypiads. You >>>> have to pay but none of them are that expensive and then you have >>>> a curriculum. >>>> >>>> I also like to do books that I really like depending on the >>>> kids. I've done Frindle, Hatchet, Sideways Stories from Wayside >>>> School. You can find tons of information online to go with each >>>> novel. Sometimes we write are own stories inspired by the books. >>>> >>>> One year--I did Magic School Bus for the whole year. We read a >>>> different book each week and did a science experiment to go with >>>> the topic. At the end of the school year, the kids wrote their >>>> own story in Magic School Bus style--I gave them clip art to >>>> illustrate--then we finished with an author's tea. >>>> >>>> One unit I have always wanted to do is read Cryptid Hunters, then >>>> have each kid pick a cryptid and research about it but I haven't >>>> had the right group for this. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 10/02/09, GT Teacher wrote: >>>>> On 10/01/09, Isabell wrote: >>>>>> I am a retired K teacher. My principal has asked me to >>>>>> take a one day a week position teaching gifted children. >>>>>> I'll be working with grades 2 and 3 for half the day and >>>>>> grades 4 and 5 for the other half day. There are no >>>>>> curriculum guides or materials. Any suggestions would be >>>>>> SO appreciated! >>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>> Isabell >>>>> >>>>> It will be fun - sounds like it can be wonderful enrichment >>>>> time. What resources do you have? A laptop connected to a >>>>> projector would be nice. >>>>> >>>>> What are your interests? I can feed you material but with no >>>>> curriculum to follow, you can follow your bliss. What about a >>>>> first unit entitled "Speaking Through Stone"? One of my >>>>> favorites and we study public sculpture - who puts these huge >>>>> and sometimes small monuments into our parks and by our >>>>> highways? Why? How do they decide who gets a sculpture and >>>>> what it will look like? >>>>> Princeton New Jersey considered several versions of an Albert >>>>> Einstein sculpture before letting the public choose one. You >>>>> can access hundreds of public scupltures on line and the kind >>>>> of 'out of the box' thinking that this is works well for GT >>>>> children. >>>>> And get some clay - after consideration of other sculptures >>>>> intended to honor someone or some event, let them make one of >>>>> their own. In fact, this 'unit' could cover two weeks. >>>>> >>>>> Consider the two monuments and the HUGE fight over them that >>>>> are the memorials to those who died in the Vietnam War. >>>>> There's a great documentary on it - I'm blanking on the name >>>>> but it's certainly one the older children could watch. Which >>>>> of those two represents the concept better? Consider also the >>>>> huge fight over the new statue of Franklin Roosevelt and >>>>> whether he should be portrayed as physically challenged or >>>>> not. >>>>> >>>>> GT children have the ready ability to consider such matters >>>>> and have strong opinions about them. >>>>> >>>>> For a start the above might work well - I've used it many >>>>> times and every time it's been well-received by students and >>>>> parents alike. >>>>> >>>>>
On 10/14/09, GT Teacher wrote: > On heros - my students one year protested this yearly project > saying "everybody is a hero in their own way." What a lovely idea. > > Prior to that, every year we did a 'hero' project and every student chose > a hero. (you can also do an 'unsung hero' project) though for both, I > don't like students to use a family member - that gets touchy or a known > or unknown religious figure - that also gets touchy. > > Each student gives a short presentation - not more than 5 minutes and > they may use any medium they choose. One year a student chose Isadora > Duncan a dancer and demonstrated some of Duncan's dance. > > Students 'rate' the 'heroism'. Of Course, the presentation affects what > students think - we discuss the very real thing that is sales and > marketing and how our thinking is of course influenced by the > presentation - that's rather the point... > > I alone tally up the scores. I counsel them constantly you are 'rating' > the heroism, you are not rating the presentation but of course the two > are intertwined. You may not rate your own hero. > > It gives us a daily average - I am a very kind-hearted teacher and I will > not post low scores. The student may come and ask me but I usually post > the three highest scores - Dr. King routinely comes out with a deservedly > high score and some student understandably chooses him every year as > their hero. > > The student who chose John Logie Baird - the inventor of television - as > their hero was soundly defeated in that clever bid for heroism by popular > acclaim. She chose to redo her presentation to try again and this time > showed Dr. King's I Have A Dream speech as shown on television in 1963. > An even more clever approach saying without John Logie Baird's 'heroic' > invention, the nation would not have seen Dr. King's heroic speech. > > It didn't work but it's an example of the kind of involved and creative > thinking that this project produced. We also did your invention project > with equal success. Not a numbers or a rating person normally, > the 'rating' seems to be what makes it work so well as they eagerly stand > outside the door waiting for the scores and run down the hall > yelling "Alexander Fleming got an 88.5 heroism rating. He beat Jonas > Salk!" > > Endless variations for variety and further thought are possible - not > only the 'unsung hero' , we've done the unknown hero where the inventor > of the alphabet vies with the inventor of the wheel. > Have fun. > > >> I too am new to teaching Gifted students (I am new to teaching actually, >> this is my second career). At first the thought was overwhelming >> especially given that there is no curriculum or resources readily >> available in many schools. Once I decided on a focus things started to >> flow and really the students guided where we went with the topics. Last >> year we focused on creative thinking which lead us to Invention. I >> asked the students to think about the invention that has had the >> greatest impact on society We brainstormed various inventions and >> inventors in the end the students choose The telephone, the vaccine, the >> radio, computers, the light bulb. Student then got into groups of 4 and >> choose the invention they were going to research. We then planned to >> have a class debate to present their findings. Only catch the person >> presenting had to become the inventor and speak in first person. >> Another person in the group had the task of planning questions they were >> going to ask the other groups in the debate. (Students found this a very >> challenging role!) Another took the role of coordinating the Inventor's >> costume and advising the inventor on manorisms they should display. In >> the end the students enjoyed the debate! Students then took a step back >> from their role and considered the evidence provided and voted on who >> they felt had the biggest impact. Thomas Edison and the Light Bulb >> ended up being the winner in out class. The next step we took following >> this was for the students to beocme inventors themselves. Students >> displayed thier inventions in an invention convention where their family >> and other teachers came to view them. They came up with some wonderful >> ideas! I hope this helps! >> >> If any one is interested in helping me out with an idea I am working on >> to do with Heros I would love to get some creative juices flowing!!! >> Right now i am to stressed trying to come up with the idea that the >> creativity is stiffled! >> >> On 10/04/09, isabell wrote: >>> Thank you so much for your excellent ideas and for taking the time >>> to respond! >>> Isabell >>> >>> >>> On 10/02/09, Jayne wrote: >>>> Sometmes I ask the kids. I asked my 2/3rd grade group and they >>>> decided Rain Forest, US History and Space. We are on trimesters >>>> so we will switch units each marking period. >>>> >>>> I have also done some formal programs with my 4/5th grade group. >>>> I did artifact box exchange, newsbowl, and math olmypiads. You >>>> have to pay but none of them are that expensive and then you have >>>> a curriculum. >>>> >>>> I also like to do books that I really like depending on the >>>> kids. I've done Frindle, Hatchet, Sideways Stories from Wayside >>>> School. You can find tons of information online to go with each >>>> novel. Sometimes we write are own stories inspired by the books. >>>> >>>> One year--I did Magic School Bus for the whole year. We read a >>>> different book each week and did a science experiment to go with >>>> the topic. At the end of the school year, the kids wrote their >>>> own story in Magic School Bus style--I gave them clip art to >>>> illustrate--then we finished with an author's tea. >>>> >>>> One unit I have always wanted to do is read Cryptid Hunters, then >>>> have each kid pick a cryptid and research about it but I haven't >>>> had the right group for this. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 10/02/09, GT Teacher wrote: >>>>> On 10/01/09, Isabell wrote: >>>>>> I am a retired K teacher. My principal has asked me to >>>>>> take a one day a week position teaching gifted children. >>>>>> I'll be working with grades 2 and 3 for half the day and >>>>>> grades 4 and 5 for the other half day. There are no >>>>>> curriculum guides or materials. Any suggestions would be >>>>>> SO appreciated! >>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>> Isabell >>>>> >>>>> It will be fun - sounds like it can be wonderful enrichment >>>>> time. What resources do you have? A laptop connected to a >>>>> projector would be nice. >>>>> >>>>> What are your interests? I can feed you material but with no >>>>> curriculum to follow, you can follow your bliss. What about a >>>>> first unit entitled "Speaking Through Stone"? One of my >>>>> favorites and we study public sculpture - who puts these huge >>>>> and sometimes small monuments into our parks and by our >>>>> highways? Why? How do they decide who gets a sculpture and >>>>> what it will look like? >>>>> Princeton New Jersey considered several versions of an Albert >>>>> Einstein sculpture before letting the public choose one. You >>>>> can access hundreds of public scupltures on line and the kind >>>>> of 'out of the box' thinking that this is works well for GT >>>>> children. >>>>> And get some clay - after consideration of other sculptures >>>>> intended to honor someone or some event, let them make one of >>>>> their own. In fact, this 'unit' could cover two weeks. >>>>> >>>>> Consider the two monuments and the HUGE fight over them that >>>>> are the memorials to those who died in the Vietnam War. >>>>> There's a great documentary on it - I'm blanking on the name >>>>> but it's certainly one the older children could watch. Which >>>>> of those two represents the concept better? Consider also the >>>>> huge fight over the new statue of Franklin Roosevelt and >>>>> whether he should be portrayed as physically challenged or >>>>> not. >>>>> >>>>> GT children have the ready ability to consider such matters >>>>> and have strong opinions about them. >>>>> >>>>> For a start the above might work well - I've used it many >>>>> times and every time it's been well-received by students and >>>>> parents alike. >>>>> >>>>>
I would really appreciate any suggestions for web sites for gifted students grades 2 through 5. I will be working with grades 2 and 3 for one 1/2 day each week and grades 4 and 5 for the other 1/2 day each week. (150 minutes per week for each group) Thanks so much! Isabell
On 10/05/09, Isabell wrote: > I would really appreciate any suggestions for web sites for > gifted students grades 2 through 5. I will be working with > grades 2 and 3 for one 1/2 day each week and grades 4 and 5 > for the other 1/2 day each week. (150 minutes per week for > each group) > Thanks so much! > Isabell
IsabellThanks so much! That is a great web site. I'm hoping I'm able to install Java at school so I can use it with my students. Please let me know if you have any others! Isabell
On 10/05/09, Gillian C wrote: > Try the math and grammar games at [link removed]
How is "gifted" designation determined at your school, especially at the primary level. Is a test used and is there a program in place? Can a class arbitrarily be labeled "gifted"?
Anyt...See MoreOn 10/06/09, curious wrote: > How is "gifted" designation determined at your school, > especially at the primary level. Is a test used and is > there a program in place? Can a class arbitrarily be > labeled "gifted"?
It's determined by testing - usually here the Stanford Binet. There is a pullout program in place.
Anything's possible - I suppose a class could arbitrarily be labeled gifted - I had so many gifted kids in my homeroom once that it would have been largely accurate to call them gifted and alter their instruction accordingly.
That's a big part of it - gifted education has two things going for it when it's real. One - the kids. A room full of gifted kids will be different and a child in that room will get a LOT of intellectual stimulation from the other kids in the class - a teacher can almost sit back and let the class be - gifted kids teach themselves pretty well.
But ideally there should be a different curriculum or certainly a very different approach to the curriculum for gifted kids. But also - that's not always the case by any means. Some gifted programs are simply the regular program with more work thrown in. Some gifted programs are simply the regular program but moved along at a faster pace.
Gifted education doesn't really have any commonly agreed upon definition of what it should be and school are fairly free to do pretty much anything - or nothing - and call it 'gifted'.
mary anneOn 10/06/09, Our district wrote: > On 10/06/09, curious wrote: >> How is "gifted" designation determined at your school, >> especially at the primary level. Is a test used and is >> there a program in place? Can a class arbitrarily be >> labeled "gifted"? > > We have set criteria in place for determining giftedness....See MoreOn 10/06/09, Our district wrote: > On 10/06/09, curious wrote: >> How is "gifted" designation determined at your school, >> especially at the primary level. Is a test used and is >> there a program in place? Can a class arbitrarily be >> labeled "gifted"? > > We have set criteria in place for determining giftedness. In > our state, gifted is defined as having an IQ of 120 or > higher. I know other states have theirs start at 130. We do > mass screening using the RAVEN in grades 1-2 and then grades 3- > 7, the teachers or parents can refer. If the student scores > 90% or higher on the Raven, they move on to individual testing > using an appropriate IQ test given by a psychometrist. If the > student scores 75%-89%, they are given the Stanford > Achievement test. A 90% on this test moves them to individual > testing but anything less and they do not qualify. Then the > score on the IQ test determines their eligibility for the > gifted program. Once they are determined "gifted" they are > eligible to participate in this program from 2nd-8th grade. > After 8th grade, they no longer receive the intellectually > gifted program, but can participate in academic honors classes. >
RafteryOn 11/15/09, Miss_Texas wrote: > Do you still have these? > I am very interested! >> >> >> >> >> On 10/15/09, Raftery wrote: >>> Example-Alexander Scourby reading The Highwayman, Gunga >> Din, >>> If, Annabel Lee, Paul Revere's Ride and many more plus >> Agnes >>> Moorhead r...See MoreOn 11/15/09, Miss_Texas wrote: > Do you still have these? > I am very interested! >> >> >> >> >> On 10/15/09, Raftery wrote: >>> Example-Alexander Scourby reading The Highwayman, Gunga >> Din, >>> If, Annabel Lee, Paul Revere's Ride and many more plus >> Agnes >>> Moorhead reading Nancy Hanks, Orsen Wells reading Lincoln's >>> Gettysburg Address plus Mike Whorf reading Eugene Field's >>> See in Things At Night and Riley's Little Orphant Annie >> plus >>> Boris Karloff reading from Kipling's Jungle Book plus >>> Vincent Price reading The Landing Of The Pilgrim Fathers, >>> Thanksgiving Day, Paul Revere's Ride, The Village >>> Blacksmith, The Star-Spangled Banner, The House By The Side >>> Of The Road, Trees, The Barefoot Boy, The New Colossus, >>> America For Me, Jesse James, Casey At The Bat, Casey Jones, >>> Chicago, In Flanders Fields, America The Beautiful (ALL >> FREE >>> AND I PAY THE POSTAGE) [email removed])
I will be using the GEMS Mystery Festival (Felix mystery) with 4th and 5th graders. I'm wondering about including 3rd graders. Has anyone used it with 3rd graders? If so, was it age-appropriate? I looked at the mystery for lower grades, but it does seem too juvenile. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
On 10/16/09, Jayne wrote: > I did the lower mystery with a regular 4th grade class and > they loved it. I thought it seemed juvenile but I think they > really liked the hands on stations. I tried to beef up the > unit with them writing their own mysteries, etc.
Help! I cannot find my Appenices for scoring the old MAT (1985)Naglieri test. I tested one student, but don't have the Appendix to find the percentile. Does anyone have an Appendix for the old MAT (1985)? I can't get a new one because it is too old. Please Email me directly. Thanks so much, MP [email removed]
I am new as a gifted teacher. I would like to be in touch with other GATE teachers. This forum is a great resouce. I would also like to have some magazines or newsleters. What professional magazine(s) or newsletter should I subscribe?
CPOn 10/16/09, susie wrote: > I am new as a gifted teacher. I would like to be in touch > with other GATE teachers. This forum is a great resouce. I > would also like to have some magazines or newsleters. What > professional magazine(s) or newsletter should I subscribe?
On 9/30/09, Lisa wrote: > I have been asked to set up an after-school enrichment > program. I don't know where to begin! I teach in a > parochial school and we do not have a GATE program. I was > looking at some kind of creative problem solving or > something like that...like...See More