Windcrest, Montgomery, and Royal RidgeGT Teacher

Mrs. Rachel CongerOct. 4, 2012

GT Parent Meeting

Depth & Complexity Icons

Based upon the work of Sandra Kaplan, USC

Some Characteristics of Gifted Children……

Gets excitement from intellectual challengeHave an intense awareness of the world’s

problemsHave an advanced vocabulary (may be an

avid reader)Has difficulty focusing on or finishing

assignments; may seem disorganizedIs sensitive, empathetic, and emotionalGets bored and frustrated, wants to move

on quickly to more interesting workShows outstanding responsibility and

independence

Shows superior reasoning powers and can see subtle relationships, abstract thinker

Shows persistent intellectual curiosityDevelops one or more interests to considerable

depthObserves keenly; is responsive to new ideasLearns quickly and easily and retains what is

learnedShows creative ability or imaginative

expressionIs self-critical, a perfectionistCommunicates easily with adults (not always

peers)

What do you notice? Does anything surprise you?

Our goal is to teach the children to be….

•Critical thinkers

•Creative problem solvers

•Dynamic leaders and effective members of the group

We promote higher order thinking skills through…

•Critical thinking practice

•Creative thinking practice

•Problem solving

•Research/inquiry

•Use of technology

•Affective thinking activities

•Decision-making

•Taking on leadership roles

• Recognizing connections between ideas, people, and events impacts one’s perspective and deepens one’s understanding of the world.

(Systems Thinking)

• Personal vision leads to choices that can make a difference in the world.

GT Class Schedule

2nd: 9:45-12:45 (Monday)

3rd: 9:45-1:45 (Thursday)

4th: 9:00-2:00 (Wednesday)

5th: 9:00-2:00 (Tuesday)

All classes have lunch/recess with our GT Class. Lunch time is 11:08.

Our goal is to develop each child’s cognitive ability through activities based on four types of thinking:

•Convergent (logic/reasoning)

•Divergent (creative/inventive)

•Visual/Spatial (shapes/puzzles)

•Evaluative (judging/planning)

UNIT OF STUDY- Structure•Natural Structures (Biomimicry)

•Human-made Structures-Talking Walls

(inspired by the book Talking Walls by Margy Burns Knight)

Becoming a Thinker

What can I use as a guide to fulfill my potential?

Systems/Systems Thinking-Bridges

-The Brain

- How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci

Literature Studies: Punished by David Lubar

Billabonk and the Thorn Patch and other Systems Thinking stories.

Hands-On Equations: Level I

Developing Talents

What are my gifts and talents? What can I do that will have meaning in the future?

Mysteries/ Masterpieces-“Mystery of Me!”

Multiple Intelligences (Gardner)“It’s not how smart you are, it’s how you are smart.”

Novel Study: Tuck Everlasting/ Wednesday Wars**

Hands On Equations Level II

Discovering Responsibilities

Dimensions of Character

•Eminence (Lives of Believers and Achievers)

•Influential Scientists and Mathematicians.

•Philosophy- Socrates, Plato

Hands On Equations Level IIINovel Study: The Giver

What responsibilities do I have to the world around

me?

•A student completing the 5th grade GT program should be:

•A self-directed learner

•An effective communicator

•A contributing citizen

•A collaborative team member

•An adaptive problem solver

•A perceptive thinker

•A quality producer

•GT Learning Logs

•Rubrics

•Student Self-Evaluation

•Student Report CardsDecemberMay

Special Issues:

Homework Policy

Field Trips

Absences/Attendance

GT Bus Conflicts

The K-2 Program ends after 2nd grade. All students must be re-assessed at the

beginning of third grade for the GT 3-5 program. Classroom performance, test

scores, and reading averages are used to screen for testing. Not all second grade

GT students will continue in the GT program.

Students entering GT in grades 3-5 remain part of the program until the end of 5th grade.

Testing in the spring of 5th grade for Middle School:

•GT English

•GT Math

For capable students looking for challenge!

Students must maintain an “80” semester and year

end grade average to remain in the GT program.

Ways to help your GT childWays to help your GT child Feed that hungry mind. (Museums, Libraries- Molly Pruitt @

Roosevelt!) Be a learner yourself. Keep track of your child’s school performance and progress. Encourage and support your child’s creativity. Respond to your child’s questions. Create a safe environment for failure. Give them permission to

make some mistakes and learn from them. Praise your child for taking risks, even when things don’t turn out

the way he/she planned. Look for science, art, or music classes in the community.

Help your child find a mentor—a caring adult or teenager who will guide and encourage him.

Tell them specific things you like and admire about him/her. Go beyond school performance.

Treat your GT child with respect by listening to them. Pay attention to your child’s passions. Support and encourage. Help your child find balance in life Get your child involved in activities and programs.

Communication is key to your child’s success.

You may always contact me…

•By note written in folder

•By phone 407-9600 (at Windcrest)

•By e-mail rconge@neisd.net

“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” -William Butler Yeats.