Northern Hills Elementary SchoolGT Teacher

Mrs. Katri Delac2013-2014

GT Parent Meeting

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?

Depth & Complexity Icons

Based upon the work of Sandra Kaplan, USC

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

Our goal is to develop each child’s cognitive ability through activities based

on four types of thinking:•Convergent (looking for the interrelationships between

clues and recognizing flaws in reasoning)

•Divergent (listing many responses and looking for ideas that are original and off-beat)

•Visual/Spatial (focusing on memory and mental manipulation of images)

•Evaluative (looking for more than one viewpoint, understanding criteria, and offering a solution based on valid

considerations)

K-2 Themes:K—Exploring Thinking1st –Exploring Differences

Discoveries: Me, World 2nd—Exploring Connections

Natural Structures (Biomimicry)/Manmade Structures (Walls)

Students that qualify for GT K-2 will remain in GT each year until the end of 2nd grade.

GT Class Schedule 1st Grade: Monday mornings

2nd Grade: Monday afternoons5th Grade: Tuesday

4th Grade: Wednesday3rd Grade: Thursday

Kindergarten: Friday morning

All grades have their normal specials time.

Students that qualify for the GT (K-2) program remain in the program until the end of second

grade.

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.

•Communication, Discovery, and Structures Notebooks

•Depth and Complexity Reflection sheets

•Student Report CardsJanuary(2nd Grade only)May (1st and 2nd)

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.