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after school program help?

by Lisa

Sep 30, 2009

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 righ...See More

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Gillian C Try the math and grammar games at [link removed].

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

Oct 4, 2009

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Jayne I had a creative thinking club. It was nice because so many things can fall under that category. Sometimes we did brain teasers, played games, did crafts. We made our own Nim games by putting stickers on bottle caps. Then we looked for strategies on how to always win. Made our own mancala games with egg cartons and fava beans, pennies, rocks and ag...See More

Oct 4, 2009

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Need Suggestions! Please Help!

by Isabell

Oct 1, 2009

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

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shanzy I taught the invention unit to a combined grade 4-6, so the ages ranged from 9 to 11. It is still amazing to me some of the ideas the students came up with. One of my youngest students came up with a specialized 'Pull Cart' to assist individuals who do not have use of both of their arms. It was absolutely wonderful! Shanzy Connect with me on twitte...See MoreI taught the invention unit to a combined grade 4-6, so the ages ranged from 9 to 11. It is still amazing to me some of the ideas the students came up with. One of my youngest students came up with a specialized 'Pull Cart' to assist individuals who do not have use of both of their arms. It was absolutely wonderful! Shanzy Connect with me on twitter: shanemps

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. >>>>> >>>>>

Nov 4, 2009

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Shanzy GT Teacher - Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I like the idea of rating as well as the idea of posting the top three marks. I have several students who are twice exceptional (Severe LD and Asbergers). I have found a great webquest that I am adapting to incorporate Web 2.0 tools. I also have decided to have the students 'become' t...See MoreGT Teacher - Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I like the idea of rating as well as the idea of posting the top three marks. I have several students who are twice exceptional (Severe LD and Asbergers). I have found a great webquest that I am adapting to incorporate Web 2.0 tools. I also have decided to have the students 'become' their Hero in a Difference Maker's Wax Museum. I think this is a good way to have them synthesize their knowledge. Not only this but the students love to have their parents in and the parents LOVE to see their child in action! A win-win, at least in my mind at this point! :)

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. >>>>> >>>>>

Nov 4, 2009

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Favorite Web Sites for Use with Gifted Students

by Isabell

Oct 5, 2009

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

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Gillian C Try the math and grammar games at [link removed].

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 > ...See More

Oct 5, 2009

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Isabell Thanks 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]

Oct 7, 2009

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Gifted Designation

by curious

Oct 6, 2009

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"?

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GT Teacher 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"?

It's determined by testing - usually here the Stanford Binet. There is a pullout program in place.

Anyt...See More

Oct 9, 2009

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mary anne On 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 More

Dec 17, 2009

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Can Anyone Use Free Poetry CDs Read By Vincent Price ? ? ?

by Raftery

Oct 15, 2009

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 ...See More

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Raftery On 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 More

Nov 16, 2009

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Miss_Texas Thank you! Sincerely, Miss_Texas!

Nov 16, 2009

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GEMS Mystery Festival with 3rd graders

by Gifted Resource Teacher

Oct 16, 2009

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!

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deanie I have done the Mystery Festival two times. I would not do it with 3rd graders because of the experiments and the murder aspects. I did lots of other things with the Festival, too, that were higher level so I kept it with 4-6th. Have fun!

On 10/16/09, Jayne wrote: > I did the lower mystery with a regular 4th grade class and > they lo...See More

Oct 16, 2009

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Gifted Resource Teacher Thanks for the feedback. I think I will hold off with the 3rd graders. I appreciate your thoughts and experiences

Oct 19, 2009

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I'm missing the Appendix for the old MAT

by Mardiece Patrick

Oct 16, 2009

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]

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professional magazine recommendation

by susie

Oct 16, 2009

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?

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CP On 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?

Maybe this will be helpful to you;

[link removed]

Oct 17, 2009

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speaker - Richard M Cash - Good?

by Ray Givler

Oct 20, 2009

I received a brochure from ber.org. Are their educational speakers any good, particularly Richard M. Cash, Ed.D. speaking on differentiation?

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Some "gifted" suggestions

by el ed

Oct 21, 2009

I taught IG(Intellectually Gifted) Enrichment to grades 2-8 students for 21 years. I have a masters in gifted education.

I was very fortunate to work with an administration and faculty and staff that supported gifted education. I loved my kids and my job, most of the time.

Some things that worked for me:

Be a team player...See More

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deanie On 10/21/09, el ed wrote: > I taught IG(Intellectually Gifted) Enrichment to grades 2-8 > students for 21 years. I have a masters in gifted education. > I totally agree with your suggestions!!!!

> I was very fortunate to work with an administration and > faculty and staff that supported gifted education. I loved > my kids...See More

Oct 23, 2009

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el ed Get lots and lots of publicity for the achievements of your students, but do not have your picture made with them often. Mostly stay in the background. A professor suggested this when I was working on my gifted certification, and she was spot on. Colleagues notice such things. Human nature is human nature.

Be on the look out for people in ...See MoreGet lots and lots of publicity for the achievements of your students, but do not have your picture made with them often. Mostly stay in the background. A professor suggested this when I was working on my gifted certification, and she was spot on. Colleagues notice such things. Human nature is human nature.

Be on the look out for people in the community who can be valued resource people. It is especially amazing what "older" citizens could share with your students. Get the permission of the powers that be for this, though.

Have a sense of humor. My kids got along well, but if a rare fuss came up, I would begin singing loudly and very badly, "Let There Be Peace On Earth and Let It Begin With Me". They would say, "Mrs. el ed, if you will stop singing, we'll stop arguing." After one such "song" time, my little bright bulbs would say, "Stop, or she will start singing." Or, I would say, "Do I need to sing?" My little bright bulbs had great senses of humor, some quite subtle and unique. We had fun!

Be a life long learner. I loved to learn new things and the kids knew it.

I asked for and appreciated their input. We planned units together.

I knew I was doing something right, when after I had made a suggestion to a student on an individual art project, the student said, "Yes, that is a good idea, Mrs. el ed, but I think I like my idea better." I was thrilled by that response. Do you understand why I was thrilled?

Some days when things were going great, I would tell my kids how fortunate I was to be their teacher and how they were such a joy to teach and know.

I apologized, when apologies were appropriate. If I jumped to conclusions or over reacted to something, I told the kids I was sorry and asked for their forgiveness. They appreciated my attitude. Seems I was doing "modeling" before it had a name.

Every person and teaching situation is unique, but these things worked for me.

Deanie, thank you for your response to my post.

> I taught IG(Intellectually Gifted) Enrichment to grades 2-8 > students for 21 years. I have a masters in gifted education. > > I was very fortunate to work with an administration and > faculty and staff that supported gifted education. I loved > my kids and my job, most of the time. > > Some things that worked for me: > > Be a team player. > > Ask for suggestions and ideas. Classroom teachers often > passed on great materials to me, saying that these might be > good for my class, but not for their whole classes. > > Stay out of the teacher lounge as much as possible. > > Try to stay out of any dramas. > > When in ANY doubt, run projects by the powers that be. They > don't like surprises. > > I loved it when my kids could come up with improvements on > my ideas. It never bothered me that I might be teaching > some students with a higher IQ than me. I had more life > experience and a broader range of knowledge. > > I will always be grateful for the class that taught me the > basics of chess. I loved it when a student could teach me > and other students new things. > > I always told a new class that if I made a mistake to please > let me know in a kind(respectful) way. I always thanked > them politely when they did so. No "Got'cha" moments for me. > > This makes it "easier" to correct their mistakes. > > My kids and I had mutual respect for each other, but they > always knew who was in charge. That would be me. > > Everybody and every situation is unique. > These are just some suggestions of things that worked for me.

Oct 23, 2009

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