Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted

SENG Parent Discussion Group Comes to Gilbert!

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 00:02:00 +0000

There are still a limited number of seats available for this Gilbert discussion group.

Click here for the registration form. When the registration form is complete you will be emailed a Venmo link for payment.

Click here to learn more about SENG.

Passing the Torch

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:00:00 +0000

As of the 2018-19 school year, the Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted mission

will be carried out by Gilbert's Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC).

Click here to learn about the purpose and mission of the GEPC.

Follow on Facebook:

The GEPC at https://www.facebook.com/GilbertGifted/

The Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT) at https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaAssociationforGiftedandTalented/

AAGT Parent Institute: October 20th!

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 22:46:00 +0000

Many parents of gifted kids are anxious about the transition of their gifted student from elementary to junior high or junior high to high school or high school to college. Parental concerns cover the spectrum from social emotional development to helping teachers understand their gifted child's learning differences. At the October 20th AAGT Parent Institute classes will be offered to support advocacy skills.

Guest speaker Deb Douglas of GT Carpe Diem will be sharing the keynote address "Letting Go While Holding On: Supporting Our Children's Self-Advocacy." This will help parents develop mindfulness in their own parenting efforts. Deb will then lead attending teens in a self-discovery and empowerment workshop to support them in developing their self-advocacy skills. Additional parent classes on various aspects of giftedness will be available throughout the day. Spanish translation will be provided.

Empowering gifted teens to take charge of their own learning is critical to their growth. To this end, AAGT has decided that the teen GT Carpe Diem workshop will be FREE. Seating is limited. Please help us spread the word about this event!

See you October 20th at Parent Institute!

"The goal in teaching self-advocacy is not to assure Success, but to give each learner the information he or she needs to make wise decisions that contribute to the ultimate Success - a rich, reflective and self-fulfilling life." ~ Deb Douglas, GT Carpe Diem

"I would wish for each child at least one adult who helps the child find the voice of self-advocacy and the courage to use it." ~ Carol Ann Tomlinson

WHAT: AAGT Annual Parent Institute

DATE: Saturday, Oct 20th

TIME: 9am -3pm

LOCATION: Gilbert Classical Academy

REGISTRATION LINK: https://aagt.wildapricot.org/event-3027089

INFO LINK: http://arizonagifted.org/conferences/#ParentInstitute

Tips for requesting next year's teacher for your gifted child

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Spring has sprung! While you are enjoying the warm spring of Arizona and dreading the blazing heat of summer, you also may be concerned about how to request next year's teacher for your gifted child. How do you articulate your child's intensities? How do you articulate your child's fear of failure? Her intense emotions that can pop out unexpectedly? His struggle with boredom in class?

Schools today have veered away from "Teacher Request Forms" and now usually provide "Environmental Request Forms." This can be to the parent's benefit since it is hard for parents to know what resources are available on campus and what training teachers have had.

As parents of gifted students, we often identify emotionally with our child's needs before we are able to articulate them. On the Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted website's Advocacy page are tips to organize information on your child, including the articulating and organizing of your parental instincts and observations. Once this is done, you will have tools to express the needs of your child.

Organizing data: Also known as gathering "Objective Assessments" and includes any test scores that have identified your child as gifted. See "Objective Assessments" on the GSG Advocacy page.

Organizing opinions and observations: Also known as gathering "Subjective Assessments" and includes parent observations. See "Subjective Assessments" on the GSG Advocacy page.

GSG provides three informal surveys for parents on the GSG Advocacy page to help articulate your observations of your gifted child. Once you complete these simple surveys, phrases such as the ones listed below will likely help you complete your school's Environmental Request Form.

Samples:

My gifted child has emotional and sensual gifted intensity(s) and will do best at school if he/she has a teacher who is trained in and has experience with gifted education strategies for working with gifted intensities and uses a firm, yet not overly loud voice for discipline and class management.
My gifted child has a strong love of truth, equity and fair play but struggles with being practical in its application. My gifted child is also creative and inventive and may wish to do things out of step. My child will do best at school if he/she has a teacher who is trained in and has experience with gifted education strategies to support both the strengths and challenges of gifted students.
My gifted child scored in the 99th percentile in quantitative reasoning on the CogAT. He will experience growth and do best with a teacher who is trained in and has experience with gifted education teaching strategies who will allow him to have subject pre-assessments and support him in learning at his own pace.
My gifted child scored in the 98th percentile in non-verbal reasoning (visual-spatial learning style) on the CogAT. My child will experience growth with a teacher who is trained in and has experience with gifted education teaching strategies for visual-spatial learners and who actively supports and provides opportunities for creative expression.

Notice the common themes in the samples above:

State your gifted child's need(s) and a struggle (subjective data). State that your child will do best/experience growth with a teacher trained in and has experience with gifted education teaching strategies.

State your child's CogAT score (objective data) and what you hope a gifted trained teacher will do to support the need.

Do you have questions about what it means to be identified as gifted by a "non-verbal" score? Then go the Visual-Spatial Learners page of the GSG website. There you will find very helpful information.

We cannot guarantee your child will receive a teacher who is the "perfect" fit, but we hope a "good fit" is likely with the above descriptors. Also, as a parent you will be empowered and educated on how to advocate for your child in a positive way. Knowing positive advocacy is more likely to help you build bridges with your school and teachers than anything else.

Come celebrate Friday the 13th with other gifted kiddos from around the district!

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:05:00 +0000

Come have a good time! Choose your activity! Make new friends!

· The monthly public star party of the East Valley Astronomy Club. View the night sky through members’ telescopes, weather permitting, on the second Friday of each month.

· Astronomical lecture at 7:30 PM inside the library. A lecture on a general Astronomy or Space Science topic is given in the meeting room of the Southeast Regional Library at 7:30 PM. Please use the side entrance (not the main entrance) for access. Donations are accepted to attend the lecture.

· Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory – Is open each Friday and Saturday from dark until 9:30 pm.

AAGT - Legislative Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 16:00:00 +0000

A Message from AAGT's Advocacy Committee

A Step By Step Guide to making your voice heard

Help us cross the finish line!

We are nearing the end of the legislative session! The good news is that we have gotten further than we ever have before in the fight to restore funding for gifted programs. Both of our bills passed (nearly unanimously) in every committee, and both were amended on the floor to increase the proposed funding to $2.9 million in the first year and $3.4 million in subsequent years. This is good news!

The bad news is that, like all bills that include expenditures, these bills will not reach the Governor for signature. Instead, these bills will have to become part of the budget process and WE NEED YOUR HELP. As legislators are negotiating, we need gifted education to be on their minds. Will you help us keep gifted programs on their legislative radar?

It is simple and takes less than two minutes.

STEP ONE: Paste the following list of Senators and Representatives into your bcc: box.

dlivingston@azleg.gov

jnorgaard@azleg.gov

trivero@azleg.gov

mugenti-rita@azleg.gov

sallen@azleg.gov

sborrelli@azleg.gov

ocajerobedford@azleg.gov

STEP TWO: Come up with a subject line that mentions “Gifted.” You need not include the bill numbers. I like :“Make this the year for Gifted Education.”

STEP THREE: Write a quick note about why gifted education matters. Even a short personal note makes more of an impact than a form letter.

That being said, here is what I am sending: “Thank you for your leadership this year to restore funding for gifted education. 89,000 gifted students and their families are counting on you. As the parent of three gifted kids, I can tell you that the programs, identification, and teacher training have suffered since the funding was eliminated in 2009. These high potential students need our support and I hope that you will support restored funding for gifted education in the budget.”

STEP FOUR: Hit send and feel a sense of satisfaction of having your voice heard.

Bonus Points: Do you know who really needs hear about gifted education? The Governor’s Office. Year after year, restoration of gifted funding has not been included in the Governor’s Executive Budget (his list of budget priorities). A short note to the Governor would go a long way. The office contact information is here.

Thanks for all you do for gifted education!

Your AAGT Advocacy Committee

2018 Legislative Action: Gifted Education Funding

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000

The 2018 session of the Arizona Legislature is in full swing! We want to keep you informed of AAGT's efforts to advocate for the restoration of funding for gifted education. Currently gifted education is an unfunded state mandate. The state has not funded gifted education since 2009.

This year House Bill (HB) 2112, sponsored by Rep. Heather Carter, has passed the House Education Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. (Click here to view the video of amazing testimony given at the House Appropriations Committee.) It continues to move forward in the process!

Mirror bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1161, sponsored by Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, has passed the Senate Education Committee. This year there is a new chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and he has agreed to put SB 1161 on Tuesday's agenda, February 20th. Last year the former chair did not permit our bill to be placed on an agenda, so this year we are already making progress!

Gilbert's Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC) is working with AAGT to spread the word on these legislative efforts and how you can help. The GEPC is asking that all stakeholders (parents, grandparents, educators, etc.) send an email to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Many thanks to the GEPC for preparing the sample email below. Please try to email these Senators by Monday evening.

Sample email to Chairman Kavanagh and Vice Chair Petersen ...

Subject line: SB1161 - Support for Gifted Education Funding

My name is (your name here) and I am a (parent, educator, gifted student, administrator). I understand you will be hearing SB1161 on February 20th. This bill addresses Gifted Education funding. I am writing in support of SB1161, that helps restore funding for gifted education, assessments, and support needed to meet gifted students’ needs.

Arizona has a mandate stating that all public school districts must both identify gifted learners and provide appropriate educational programs and services for these students, yet there is no funding allocated specifically to gifted programming. Gifted allocations were defunded in 2010 due to fiscal budget cuts. Parents like me hope that there can be some effort made to help restore funding to gifted programming.

Gifted education is important to me (because...)

Thank you for your time,

(your name and contact info)

jkavanagh@azleg.gov Chairman

wpetersen@azleg.gov Vice-Chairman

GTC: Winter Newsletter & Important Dates

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

GPS Junior High Gifted Program

The GTC Winter Newsletter has been published to the GPS website.

Highlights include:

Individual Educational Plans with student set SMART goals
Gifted Girls (GiGis) lunches
Visit from the Society of Women Engineers
Student written hi-lights

Click here to view the GTC 2017 Winter Newsletter

Click here to view the information page on the GTC program

2018 Important Dates

GTC OPEN HOUSE: February 20, 2018 at 7pm in the library at Highland Junior High School. This event will allow for families to meet the teachers, view the campus and understand the curriculum.
GTC APPLICATION WINDOW FOR 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR: March 7- March 30th. The application will be available in March on the GTC page of the GPS website.

January Parenting Classes on Giftedness

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Parent University and the Gifted Education Parent Council present 2 classes on giftedness this January ...

Click this link for registration:
www.gilbertschools.net -- Parent Zone -- Parent University -- Gifted Education

ASU Barrett Summer Scholars

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 01:26:00 +0000

From the ASU website:

The Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS) program provides students with the opportunity to experience college firsthand and prepare for enrollment and success at Arizona State University and Barrett, the Honors College. The program is designed for academically-talented and motivated students entering the 8th, 9th, and 10th grade in fall 2018. Our residential program invites students to live on campus, engage in college-level coursework, and participate in a community of peers from across the state.

Click here to visit the ASU Barrett Summer Scholars website for more information.

Application deadline is March 5, 2018.

Local STEM Event

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

GILBERT EVENT

FOR STUDENTS GRADES 8-12

DATE: March 3 - 4, 2018

TIME: 8 am - 6 pm

LOCATION: Mesquite High School

EVENT SPONSOR: Orbital ATK

Go For Launch! is a 2-day program (10 hours each day) that uses Space Exploration as a platform to launch student involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), STEAM (Art), teamwork, communication and leadership. This program is created and presented by Higher Orbits, a non-profit, and was developed to reach high school-aged students.

Students are immersed in the wonder of Human Spaceflight through a variety of talks delivered by experts in the fields of space & STEM: such speakers have included an astronaut, former International Space Station (ISS) and Space Shuttle Flight Controllers, Astronaut Instructors, scientists, and engineers. Students get insight and feedback from experienced space and STEM professionals whose goals are to illustrate the numerous possibilities that exist in the world of STEM. A unique facet of Go For Launch! is that the students will work with an astronaut for during their time at the event.

Broken into teams, students will work together for the entire event. Nearly every talk features collaborative activity, before or after, where team members must work together to complete tasks for daily awards. These tasks are designed to build leadership and teamwork skills, as well as enhance team communication. The culminating exercise is a design project. Each team must define and design a space experiment. At the conclusion of each program, the teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges from the Space & STEM fields, who will then choose a winner from each Go For Launch! event. Depending on funding, the experiment will either launch, or it will be in competition with a handful of other projects from the same division and the division winner will have their experiment launched to the International Space Station.

One winning team will be selected from each individual Go For Launch! event. Winners within each division will compete for the division title and the winners of each division will have their experiments launched to space!

In September 2017 a team from Mesquite High School won the national competition and in November 2017 their experiment was launched into space to be studied at the International Space Station.

Visit the Go for Launch! website to learn more about this unique opportunity for students grades 8-12.
Visit the Gilbert Go for Launch! event site to learn more about the local event and registration. Registration is now open.

ASU Open Door 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Please join in the fun at ASU Open Door @ Polytechnic on Jan. 26, from 4-9 p.m. on the ASU Polytechnic campus!

ASU Open Door @ Polytechnic offers a behind the scenes look into ASU’s state-of-the-art labs and learning environments. Come experience flight simulators, air traffic control simulators, the wonders of algae, new-age cars, play classic video games, and enjoy dance and theater performances.

Click here to visit the ASU Polytechnic site for more info on their Open Door event.

Click here for information on all ASU 2018 Open Door events.

Awake the Sleeping Giant, part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Part 3 of 3

This is the conclusion to our 2017 November-December legislative effort.

By following these templates and sending your emails to your legislators, you have begun to build a credible relationship with your senator and representatives. Your actions are crucial to our group effort to draw attention to the new bills that will be introduced in January to reinstate gifted education funding.

Stay tuned for additional templates that will be posted here once the legislative session starts in January. TOGETHER we can make a difference. We hope 2018 is the year when gifted education in Arizona will receive state funding.

OUR GOAL

Contact your legislatitors at least three times before the December holidays and encourage them to restore funding for Gifted Education. Below you will find template #3. Click here to find the contact information for your representative. Send this email by Friday, December 15th.

If you missed any part of this series, click below for templates and send your email(s) ASAP, before the end of December.

Parent Preparation & Learning

The National Association for Gifted Children has a brief collection of myths which include rebuttals based on simple facts. What myths have you encountered? Click here to peruse the common myths that surround gifted education.

Template 3 of 3

Subject line: Let your email subject line contain "support" and "gifted education" in a manner of your choosing.

Greeting: Dear Senator/Representative ________________ (Send three separate emails, one to your senator and one each to your two representatives.)

First paragraph: After you have familiarized yourself with the common myths that surround gifted education, choose one that you identify with. In your first paragraph share the myth and your brief personal encounter with it. Example ...

I am the parent of a gifted child. A few years ago I had a principal get offended when I tried to explain giftedness to her. "Every child is gifted," the principal said and would not allow us to discuss it further. I was not angry, only deeply frustrated and disappointed. Her response is actually typical for those who don't understand giftedness. Yet, how will principals know how to hire qualified teachers for their gifted students if they themselves don't understand giftedness? Since that conversation I have learned more about explaining giftedness and wish I could go back in time and visit with this principal again.

Second paragraph: Let this include the rebuttal of the myth you chose. State that by funding gifted education, schools and districts can educate their communities about the truths of gifted education and gifted children can receive the services that address their learning differences.

I would explain my deep belief that ALL children have gifts and talents whether or not they receive gifted education services just like ALL children are special, whether or not they receive special education services. Here in Arizona the term "gifted" is to "gifted education" as "special" is to "special education." It is a legislative and diagnostic term to describe learning differences caused by neuro-diversity. Both special education (A.R.S. 15-764) and gifted education (A.R.S. 15-799) are mandated by state law; however, gifted education has been unfunded in Arizona since 2009. If gifted education were funded, more principals and teachers could be trained in supports for the learning differences and growth of gifted students.

Conclusion: State that supporting gifted education is an investment and thank them for their support and service.

I'm writing to ask for your support to reinstate gifted education funding. Gifted children learn differently and by supporting their learning differences you are investing in Arizona's intellectual capital. Thank you for your time and efforts on behalf of our community.

Sincerely,

Your name

Active Voter in Legislative District # ___

Awake the Sleeping Giant, part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 05:19:00 +0000

Part 2 of 3

This is part two of our 2017 November-December legislative effort.

If we want our emails to stand out during the legislative session, then we need to contact our legislators now, in the "off-season" so they will be familiar and recognize us and our efforts once the legislative session begins in January.

OUR GOAL

Contact your legislative representatives at least three times before the December holidays and encourage them to restore funding for Gifted Education. Below you will find template #2. Click here to find the contact information for your representative. Send this email by Thursday, December 7th.

If you missed the first in this series, click here for the blog link and send your email ASAP.

Template 2 of 3

Subject line: Let your email subject line contain "funding" and "gifted education" in a manner of your choosing.

Greeting: Dear Senator/Representative ________________ (Send three separate emails, one to your senator and one each to your two representatives.)

First paragraph: Let this contain a brief personal experience regarding the strengths and struggles of your gifted child. You may wish to incorporate material from our Strengths and Challenges worksheet. Example ...

I am the parent of a gifted child, age 10. My daughter is able to work a year ahead in math and is an avid reader, reading four grade levels ahead. She acquires and retains information easily with little repetition. A challenge she has is patience while waiting for classmates to learn the same material. She detests multiple repetitions of material she already knows. In such a classroom climate her desire for learning actually wanes. She needs teachers who understand her need to accelerate so that she can experience growth while in the classroom and develop into a lifelong learner.

Second paragraph: Let this include your reason why gifted education needs funding, namely so that districts can train teachers in gifted education.

I am grateful that the state of Arizona mandates gifted education (A.R.S. 15-799), even though gifted education has not been funded in Arizona since 2009. If gifted education were funded, more teachers could be trained in multiple accelerations strategies to support the learning differences and growth of gifted students. I'm writing to ask for your support to reinstate gifted education funding. This would allow districts to offer continual instructional support to teachers of the gifted.

Conclusion: State that supporting gifted education is an investment and thank them for their support and service.

Gifted children learn differently and by supporting their learning differences you are investing in Arizona's intellectual capital. I hope I can count on your support to reinstate gifted education funding. Thank you for your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Your name

Active Voter in Legislative District # ___

Upcoming Events

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Registration is now taking place for the following events ...

AAGT Conference Registration NOW OPEN!

"Shaping Our Future One Child at a Time"

When: Thursday, 02/01/2018 - Friday, 02/02/2018

Where: Black Canyon Conference Center, Phoenix

What: A two-day event geared towards the needs of the Gifted population in Arizona and around the U.S. This event is for educators, professionals, parents, and anyone wishing to learn about Giftedness, further develop their knowledge, and to become a part of the Arizona Gifted community. Look forward to hearing from nationally renowned speakers, as well as statewide organizations.

Early bird registration prices end December 1st.

Registration link: http://arizonagifted.org/conferences/#AnnualConference

Parent University Gifted Education Classes

Navigation link:
www.gilbertschools.net → Parent Zone → Parent University → Gifted Education

The Role of the School and Home Environments in the Lives of Gifted Students

When: Monday, 1/22/18, 5:30-7:30

Where: Val Vista Lakes Elementary

The discussion will explore how the school and home environments can work collaboratively to ensure gifted students' learning differences and social and emotional needs are addressed so the students are able to thrive in all areas of their lives. Topics include the importance of following passion interests and having social activities to accommodate each child's asynchronous development.

Registration required. Click here for registration.

The Gifted Child - Underachievement

When: Tuesday, 1/30/18, 5:30-7:30

Where: Highland Junior

What are the causes of underachievement? And what can be done about it? Puzzling to parents, teachers, and even children themselves, underachievement is often chalked up to poor choices. When it is recognized, parents often feel helpless or unsure what to do about it. But there is much that can be done. Learn when to take action – and how to get help.

Registration required. Click here for registration.

Awake the Sleeping Giant

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 19:54:00 +0000

Part 1 of 3

by Stephanie Newitt, Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted

It is November and during this time of reflection and Thanksgiving I am thankful for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT). They have tirelessly worked to bring the need of gifted education funding to the attention of members of the Arizona legislature. In the 2017 effort, our bill made it all the way through the Arizona House! However, it was stalled in the Arizona Senate, not progressing beyond the Appropriations Committee.

AAGT is gearing up for the 2018 legislative session which begins in January. We have learned that once the session starts, members of the legislature are inundated with 200+ emails daily! If we want our emails to stand out during the legislative session, then we need to contact our legislators now, in the "off-season" so they will be familiar and recognize us and our efforts.

OUR GOAL

Contact your legislative representatives at least three times before the December holidays and encourage them to restore funding for Gifted Education. We will provide templates for you. Click here to find the contact information for your representative. The first template is below. Send this email prior to Thanksgiving.

Template 1 of 3

Subject line: Let your email subject line contain "constituent" and "gifted education" in a manner of your choosing.

Greeting: Dear Senator/Representative ________________ (Send three separate emails, one to your senator and one each to your two representatives.)

First paragraph: Let this contain a statement that gifted education is needed and a brief personal experience. Example ...

I am grateful that the state of Arizona mandates gifted education (A.R.S. 15-799), even though gifted education has not been funded in Arizona since 2009. My 12 year old son is not in sync with his 12 year old peers as he is able to work two years ahead in math.

Second paragraph: Let this include your reason why gifted education needs funding.

Giftedness affects the social and emotional development of gifted children as well. Just because my son can do the math of a 9th grader doesn't mean he is socially and emotionally capable to socialize with them regularly. I'm writing to ask for your support to reinstate gifted education funding. This would allow districts to hire and train more teachers with gifted education certification, including training them to provide social/emotional supports for gifted students.

Conclusion: State that supporting gifted education is an investment and thank them for their support and service.

By supporting the learning differences of gifted children you are investing in the state’s intellectual capital. I thank you for your support of this issue and for your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Your name

Active Voter in Legislative District # ___

Click here to go to our State Advocacy page on the GSG website where you will find more information to support you in your efforts.

November 2017 Events

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 15:00:00 +0000

November 11 - 12: Barnes & Noble's 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire

Calling all tech enthusiasts, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science club members, authors, artists, students, entrepreneurs, crafter, and makers of any kind—join us this November for the 3rd annual Mini Maker Faire!

Click here to visit the B&N link to learn more and to find a hosting store near you!

November 18 - Earth and Space Exploration Day 2017

by School of Earth and Space Exploration at ASU

Earth and Space Exploration day is a FREE annual fall event hosted by the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) on ASU’s Tempe campus inside/outside ISTB 4. The SESE community offers special science-related activities from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for students age five and up, families, educators and anyone interested in exploring Earth and space.

More than 40 exhibitors will participate in the annual Earth and Space Exploration Day. One of the biggest attractions is ISTB 4 with its Gallery of Scientific Exploration offering a variety of interactive exhibits and the Marston Exploration Theater, which will be running 3-D astronomy shows.

Each year, the SESE community brings to life its research through innovative hands-on activities as part of this special Earth and Space Exploration Day.

Click here to visit SESE's event site for more info!

Mark Your Calendar! Event November 14th

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Parent Class and Kids' Game Night

GPS Parent University and the Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC)

are partnering for this event:

Presents:

The Vibrant Social and Emotional Life of a Gifted Child

Val Vista Lakes Elementary Library

November 14, 2017

5:30 - 7:30 pm

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcSflNV0FwNSyjkmdE5tNuMdI545zZ13CKPRTfCkEnX7O-9g/viewform

Attention Kids in Grades K - 8

While your adults participate in the lecture, come meet new friends and enjoy a fun game night! Please bring your water bottle, snack for yourself, and favorite non-electronic game (such as: board game, card game, K’nex, Legos, chess, checkers, etc.). High School Student Volunteers will assist with game night. Kids meet in the Val Vista Lakes Elementary Multipurpose Room at 5:15 pm.

Update: Junior High Gifted Talented & Creative Program

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

2017 Fall GTC Newsletter

After two years in the pilot phase, the GTC program was fully launched fall of 2017 at Highland Junior High. The full launch was approved by the GPS school board spring of 2017.

The 2017 fall newsletter includes a description of the program, an introduction to the GTC teachers as well as students' perspective of the program.

We wish to thank the district teachers, staff and committee members who helped make the GTC a reality! We wish to thank the GPS School Board for their support of gifted education in our district.

Click here to view the 2017 Fall GTC Newsletter.

Click here to visit the GTC informational page on the district website.

Preparing for Parent Teacher Conferences: Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Understanding the Visual-Spatial Learner

By Stephanie Newitt

What is a Visual-Spatial Learner?

"Creative, curious, out-of-the-box thinkers, visual-spatial learners (VSLs) learn by intuitive leaps. They remember what they see and forget what they hear. They may forget details but remember the BIG PICTURE forever."

Did your child score high in the "non-verbal" area of a gifted identification test? Are you wondering what "non-verbal" even means? "Non-verbal" is a phrase coined by testing companies which refers to the sub-test that contains picture puzzles with no verbal instructions. This test area identifies individuals who thinks with the big picture in mind, who prefer to move from "whole to part" as opposed to "part to whole." Individuals with this learning style can feel frustrated in an audio-sequential learning environment in which sequential steps are given verbally with little to no reference to what the end product is to look like. These are visual-spatial learners.

Qualifying as gifted in the "non-verbal" area is different from other areas. Other testing areas may be directly connected to an academic subject, but being identified as gifted in the "non-verbal" area reflects the student's learning style, not a specific academic subject, though the VS learning style can help them be successful in various subjects and cause frustration in others.

Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Prior to your PT conference, review your child's gifted assessment scores. GPS uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) for gifted assessment. If your child has been identified as gifted in the "non-verbal" area, and is struggling in an academic subject, you may wish to discuss with your child's teacher your child's need to learn from whole to part, such as to view a sample finished project when a project is assigned. Ask what strategies and resources are available in the classroom/district to support VS learners. If your child is excelling in an academic area, thank the teacher for supporting the VS learning style in his/her classroom.

For more information on Visual-Spatial Learners, click here to visit the VS Learner page of our website.

Source: Silverman, Linda K. “Vivid Imagination.” Visual-Spatial Resource, www.visualspatial.org/.

This concludes our four-part series on "Preparing for Parent Teacher Conferences." If you found any of this information helpful, we would like to hear from you. Please email us your thoughts at gilbertgifted@gmail.com. Thank you.

Stephanie Newitt is a co-founder of Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted and a member of the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council Executive Committee. She has a B.S. in Family Science and is the mother of four gifted children, ages 14-24.

Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences: Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Emotional Intelligence

By Stephanie Newitt

Emotional Intelligence is defined as the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. It is the key to both personal and professional success.

Helping your child develop "emotional intelligence" is an important journey on which to embark. Emotions of the gifted are often deep and poignant and therefore can be difficult for the individual to identify and process. Helping your child learn to identify their emotions is the first step, and using an emoticon sheet similar to this one, can help them label their emotion.

Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is made up of the following:

1. Knowing one's emotions

2. Self-awareness, or the ability to recognize a feeling as it happens, is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. Being aware of our moods, thoughts, and feelings about our moods is necessary to manage emotions.

3. Managing emotions

4. Managing feelings so that they lead to appropriate behavior is a critical ability that builds on self-awareness.

5. Motivating oneself

6. Enthusiasm and persistence in the face of anxiety, fear, and setbacks set achievers apart. Believing that you possess the will and the way to master events is a critical predictor of success in school and life.

7. Recognizing emotion in others

8. Empathy builds on self-awareness and applies it to others. It is a fundamental skill that is essential to successful interpersonal interactions.

9. Handling relationships

10. The art of relationships is, in large part, measured by how well we can manage the emotions of others, and how well we are able to recognize and respond to those emotions with appropriate behavior.

Emotions are a natural part of being human and are part of our everyday experiences. Helping our gifted children first label their emotion and then understand that their emotions are natural is important, especially since the emotions of the gifted are often felt very deeply. This lets them know they are in a safe place to identify and process their deep emotions. They can then be better guided on appropriate expressions of those emotions.

Preparing for Parent Teacher Conferences

If you feel the need to discuss with your child's teacher your child's emotional intelligence, you may wish to discuss pragmatic emotional labeling, a safe place for them to process their deep emotions, and the need for your child to receive encouragement on this journey.

Parent Modeling of Emotional Intelligence

Some tips for parents from an article on EQ from the Mom Agenda website:

1. Encourage ‘I’ statements. Encourage the habit of expressing what you feel instead of what’s wrong (or right) with a situation. For example, “I feel mad when you say mean words like that,” or “I feel happy inside when you share with me.”

2. Know ahead of time what to say during an emotional display. Many parents “shoot from the hip” when trying to calm down an emotional toddler. There is a great sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing at least how to start coaching your child through his strong expressions of emotions before they occur. And, most importantly, you are more able to control your own emotional reactivity and teach effectively.

3. Model appropriate EQ skills yourself. Children are always watching their parent’s emotional reactions in everyday situations. In many ways, children mirror our own behavior. Therefore, start identifying your own feelings, and be aware of how you manage them. If you’re angry and yelling, chances are you’ll find your child yelling too! Remember, “School is never out at home.”

More information about the Overexcitabilities or Emotional Intensities of the gifted can be found on our website by clicking here.

Sources:

Zernzach, Randall. “What You Need To Know About Your Child's EQ (Emotional Intelligence).” MomAgenda, Day Planners, www.momagenda.com/child-eq/.
“Cultivating Emotional Intelligence.” Bright Horizons Family Solutions, www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/e-family-news/2010-roots-of-success-cultivating-emotional-intelligence.

Part 4: Understanding Visual-Spatial Learners

Preparing for Parent Teacher conferences: Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:38:00 +0000

Tools to Articulate the Needs of the Gifted Child

By Stephanie Newitt

Before we can articulate the needs of gifted children, we must first understand their characteristics and intensities as they relate to giftedness. Below you will find simple parent worksheets to aid in this process. Print and complete the worksheets while thinking of your gifted child. This process will not only give you insight to better understand your gifted child, but will provide vocabulary for you to use when describing your gifted child to family members, teachers, doctors, mental health practitioners, etc..

Click on the links below:

The Differences between Bright and Gifted Children

This form lists common characteristics of both bright and gifted children, allowing parents to compare and contrast these characteristics as they apply to their particular child.

Strengths and Possible Challenges of Gifted Children

If your child identifies with more than half of these characteristics, you have learned that giftedness comes with its own set of strengths and challenges. Being gifted is not easy. The more their strengths and challenges are both understood and serviced, the more likely it is for gifted children to lead successful lives.

Intensities of Giftedness

The purpose of this form is two-fold. First, to increase awareness that giftedness impacts not only intellectual development, but also psychological and nervous system development. Second, to inform parents, teachers and caregivers that responsive behaviors to the overexcitabilities listed therein are typical for gifted children. Gifted children, therefore, will need to be taught in such a way that their overexcitabilities are taken into account and their emotional and social growth is fostered.

Preparing for Parent Teacher Conferences

Feel free to bring a copy of these completed worksheets to your Parent-Teacher conference. These will assist in forming a common base for discussion about the strengths and needs of your child. It may be beneficial to leave a copy of the completed worksheets with your child’s teacher.

As parents we do not know the scope or the limits to the resources that teachers have available to them. As you articulate the genuine needs of your child for them to grow, be sensitive to the teacher by asking the open-ended question, "What resources are available to meet these needs?" Give them time, even days, to research this as needed.

GPS Gifted Education Parent Council

If you have not yet connected with your school’s representative on the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council, please do so. They will be aware of additional resources and opportunities that may be of interest to you. You are not alone in this gifted journey.

Part 3: Emotional Intelligence

Part 4: Understanding Visual-Spatial Learners

ASU Outreach: Physics Day for High School Juniors & Seniors!

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 21:00:00 +0000

· There is a flyer here: ASU Physics High School Outreach

· Students can sign up to attend here: https://meetasuphysics2017.eventbrite.com

· If a passcode is needed to get into eventbrite, that code is: FuturePhysicsSunDevil

Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences: Part 1 of a 4 part series

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Understanding the Asynchronous Development of the Gifted Child

By Stephanie Newitt

Parent-Teacher Conferences are one week away in Gilbert Public Schools. These experiences are designed to be focused on discussing both the strengths and challenges of the child as well as goals to promote the child's growth and development. How can a parent of a gifted child prepare for these conferences with giftedness in mind?

One of the key points to understand in the growth and development of a gifted child is asynchrony. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) describes asynchronous development as follows:

Asynchrony is the term used to describe the mismatch between cognitive, emotional, and physical development of gifted individuals. Gifted children often have significant variations within themselves and develop unevenly across skill levels. For example, a gifted child may be excellent in math, but poor in reading--or vice versa. Often, intellectual skills are quite advanced, but fine motor or social skills are lagging. Experts do not completely agree, but because asynchrony is so prominent in gifted children, some professionals believe asynchronous development rather than potential or ability, is the defining characteristic of giftedness.

Below are graphics that depict the contrast between typical and asynchronous development.

If you have ever looked at your intelligent child and wondered, exasperated, "What were you thinking?!?" then you have experienced an aspect of your child's asynchrony. It is common for adults to expect gifted children to do or feel what is greater than their natural capacity; however, would we want others to expect perfection of us on our first attempt? Our second? No. This would be extremely frustrating and would likely cause some anxiety.

Realizing that our gifted children have strengths and challenges respects them both as a child and as a human being. We should both support their strengths and areas of giftedness as well as provide support for their areas of weakness. Gifted children may have knowledge about certain subjects, but they lack wisdom. Wisdom is gained through life experience. Parents and teachers can mentor gifted children as these children gain experience by doing the following:

Create an emotionally and physically safe environment in which the gifted child can take risks and fail.
Create a family or classroom culture that FAIL means "First Attempt in Learning."
Coach the gifted child through failure, encouraging him/her to discuss and explore how he/she could handle the situation differently next time.
Praise for effort more than outcome.

Additionally, NAGC has prepared a Parent Tip Sheet on asynchronous Development. Click here to view this parent resource.

As the adults closest to the gifted child realize that asynchrony is a normal part of growing up gifted and provide strategies of support, the gifted child is more likely to develop the skills necessary to be successful in life.

Preparing for Parent Teacher Conferences

As you see areas of asynchrony in your gifted child, discuss these with your child's teacher. Share that you understand that asynchrony is typical in the development of the gifted child and ask what supports are available to support your child's growth in their areas of deficit.

Part 2: Tools to Articulate the Needs of the Gifted Child

Part 3: Emotional Intelligence
Part 4: Understanding the Visual-Spatial Learner

Source: “Asynchronous Development.” Asynchronous Development | National Association for Gifted Children, www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/social-emotional-issues/asynchronous-development. Accessed 3 Oct. 2017.

Graphics created by Stephanie Newitt

Stephanie Newitt is a co-founder of Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted and a member of the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council Executive Committee. She has a B.S. in Family Sciences and is the mother of four gifted children, ages 14-24.

Parent Education Class: The Vibrant Social and Emotional Life of a Gifted Child

noreply@blogger.com (Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted) — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Mark your calendars!

GPS Parent University and the Gifted Education Parent Council are partnering to provide a free parent education class for parents of gifted children ...

The Vibrant Social and Emotional Life of a Gifted Child

The social and emotional development of gifted children can be like a roller coaster ride! This discussion will focus on how the nature and traits of giftedness impinge on the normal affective development of these students. We will explore ways both parents and students can better manage the ups and downs of growing up gifted.

DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 2017
TIME: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
PLACE: Val Vista Lakes Elementary Library (1030 N Blue Grotto Dr., Gilbert)
FREE, but registration is required. Click here for the registration page.

Click here to visit Parent University on the web to see additional class offerings.