Las Lomas Elementary SchoolGT Teacher

Mrs. Monica LaughlinOct. 26, 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 problems

Have an advanced vocabulary (may be an avid reader)

Has difficulty focusing on or finishing assignments; may seem disorganized

Is sensitive, empathetic, and emotionalGets bored and frustrated, wants to move on quickly to more interesting work

Shows 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 depth

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

Shows 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

3rd: 7:45 1:30 (Tuesday)–4th: 7:45 2:30 (Wednesday)–5th: 8:40 -2:30 (Thursday)

All classes have a GT lunch at 11:50 (SO) and 12:10 (CR), specials with classrooms,

and 3rd ,4th and 5th have recess as a GT class.

Becoming a Thinker

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

Systems/Systems Thinking-Bridges

-The Brain

Literature Studies: The Persistent Gappers of Fripp by George Saunders and Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.

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

Leonardo DaVinci studies

Novel Study: Chasing Vermeer/ Wednesday Wars**

Hands On Equations Level II

Discovering Responsibi l it ies

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

•Edmodo and Class Dojo

•Interactive Notebooks

•Rubrics

•Student Self-Evaluation

•Student Report CardsDecemberMay

•Independent Studies

•Book Clubs

•Google Docs

Special Issues:Homework

PolicyField TripsAbsences/Attendance

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.

Feed that hungry mind. (Museums, Libraries) 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 e-mail mlaugh@neisd.net

•By phone 407-1606

“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”

-William Butler Yeats.

Check out my blog for

activities we are doing in class!!

Blogs.neisd.net/mlaugh