Bulverde Creek Elementary School

GT TeacherMrs. Kacie Germadnik

2012-2013

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 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 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?

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 (Abel’s Island)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

Kinder: Friday MorningsKinder: Friday Mornings11stst Grade: Monday Grade: Monday

morningsmornings22ndnd Grade: Monday Grade: Monday

afternoonsafternoons

They have their normal They have their normal specials, recess, and specials, recess, and

lunch times.lunch times.

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.

•Discovery Notebooks and Structures Notebooks

•Depth and Complexity Reflection sheets

•Student Report CardsJanuary (2nd Grade only)

May (Kinder, 1st and 2nd)

Special Issues:

Homework Policy

Absences/Attendance

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 kgerma@neisd.net

•By phone 407-5200

“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/kgerma/

Wish List: Things we need

•Post Its

•Glue Sticks…lots and lots

•Crayons and Markers

•Wipes

•Model Magic…white

•. Any help is Much appreciated!