czech mensa and gifted children
DESCRIPTION
Czech Mensa and Gifted Children. Tomáš Kubeš www.TomasKubes.net tomas.kubes@mensa. cz This presentation was prepared as a part of Leadership Exchange Program sponsored by MI. Goals. Describe easily replicable activities Inspiration for people who would like to start gifted children programs - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Czech Mensa and Gifted Children
Tomáš Kubešwww.TomasKubes.net
[email protected] presentation was prepared as a part of Leadership Exchange Program sponsored by MI.
Czech Mensa and Gifted Children 2
Goals
• Describe easily replicable activities– Inspiration for people who
would like to start giftedchildren programs
– Share experience• Introduce people you
should know
Czech Mensa and Gifted Children 3
Contents
• Background information• Overview of activities– Mensa for Schools– Gifted Children Clubs– Summer Camps– Mensa NTC for preschools– Logical Olympics– Mensa Charter School
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Mensa Czech Republic
• Officially established in 1991• 1558 adult members (in country of 10 M)
524 children (not official members)• Chairman Tomáš Blumenstein• Unusually high participation of
young people – students whostarted with Mensa in 90tiescontinue (and get older).
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Background – A Bit of History
• Communistic reign was overthrown in 1989 but bad practices at schools were carried over.
• Gifted children were intentionally neglected.• The focus on gifted children came gradually
and naturally as their parents met in Mensa.
Children Programs
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Mensa for Schools
• Support, consulting, and certification for schools who wish to cater for gifted children.– Gifted children classes, individual programs,
afterschool activities, teacher training– “School Cooperating with Mensa” certification
• Strongest point is the experience exchange, Mensa acts as an authority and coordinator.
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Board Game Clubs
• Supplemental activity to Mensa for Schools.• Board Game Clubs (currently 250)– After school activity for (not just) gifted children
• Day Full of Games– School wide “edutainment”
day organized by Mensa(often on new schools)
– Board games, tournaments, IQ testing, counseling
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Gifted Children Clubs
• Themed edutainment activities for gifted children on weekly or bi-weekly basis aimed at elementary school children (6-10 years).
• 1 club per city – serves as and interconnection point, established at selected school.
• Funds provided by Mensa, run by local teachers (after Mensa led training session).
• Open for all gifted children children.• There are currently 12 clubs.
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Summer Camps and More
• Summer Camps for Children– Themed 7 day camps (in the nature, or in the city) – Entertainment & development of skills
• Camps for Parents and Children– Networking and informal counseling
• Gifted children BBQs– Similar purpose– Regularly (monthly)
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Mensa NTC for “Kindergartens”
• Designed by Ranko Rajovič from Mensa Serbia– Implemented in Serbia, Slovenia, Italy, Czech R.
• Brain training and development activities for all preschool children (not just gifted)
• Informal talent screening• Mensa ČR obtained government certification
for pre-school teacher training program.• www.mensantc.eu/en/
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Logical Olympics
• Nationwide logical puzzle competition
• Established in 2008• More than 15 000 participants– Can reveal hidden talents
• Goals– Screening (reveal hidden talents)– Bandwagon for other Mensa activities– Media presence
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Mensa Charter School
• 8 year high school “Gymnasium”– Mensa gymnázium, o.p.s.
• Individual approach to gifted children• 15.5 student per class (range 11 - 21) in 2009• Suitable for children with special needs.• Large number of elective courses.• http://www.mensagymnazium.cz/
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Our Successes
• Mensa became recognized authority in the field of gifted children care and support.
• Mensa “infiltrated” the Ministry of Education.– Guidelines for preparing an individual
learning program for a gifted child.• Gifted children receive attention.• Parents make great volunteers.• K. Havlíčková awarded MERF IABS.
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Contacts in 2011
Dana Havlová[email protected]
Tomáš [email protected]
Jitka Fořtíková[email protected]
Václav Fořtí[email protected]
Petr Čavojský[email protected]
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Websites
• Mesa site with gifted children activities:http://www.mensa.cz/nadane-deti/ (CZ only)
• NTC Method description:http://www.mensantc.eu/en/ (English)
• Center for giftedness (CZ only):http://www.centrumnadani.cz/en.html
