3. Some Characteristics of Gifted
Children……
Gets excitement from intellectual challenge
Have 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 emotional
Gets bored and frustrated, wants to move on
quickly to more interesting work
Shows outstanding responsibility and
independence
4. Shows superior reasoning powers and can see
subtle relationships, abstract thinker
Shows persistent intellectual curiosity
Develops one or more interests to considerable
depth
Observes keenly; is responsive to new ideas
Learns quickly and easily and retains what is
learned
Shows creative ability or imaginative expression
Is self-critical, a perfectionist
Communicates easily with adults (not always
peers)
What do you notice?
Does anything surprise you?
5. Our goal is to teach the children
• Critical thinkers to be…
• Creative problem solvers
• Dynamic leaders and effective
members of the group
6. 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
7. • 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.
8. GT Class Schedule
3rd: 9:00-2:30 (Thursday)
4th: 8:30-1:45 (Wednesday)
5th: 8:00-2:30 (Tuesday)
All classes have lunch/recess/enrichment
with their regular class.
9. Becoming a Thinker
What can I use as a guide to fulfill my potential?
Systems/Systems Thinking
-Bridges
-The Brain
- How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci
Literature Studies: Punished by David Lubar, Billabonk and
the Thorn Patch and other Systems Thinking stories.
Hands-On Equations: Level I
10. Developing Talents
What are my gifts and talents? What can
I do that will have meaning in the future?
Mysteries/ Masterpieces-“Mystery of Me!”
Multiple Intelligences (Gardner)
“It’s not how smart you are, it’s how you are
smart.”
Novel Study: Tuck Everlasting/ Wednesday
Wars**
11. What
responsibilities
do I have to
Discovering the world
around me?
Responsibilities
Dimensions of Character
•Eminence
(Lives of Believers and Achievers)
•Influential Scientists and
Mathematicians.
•Philosophy- Socrates, Plato
Hands On Equations Level III
Novel Study: The Giver
12. 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
13. •Edmodo and Class Dojo
•Interactive Notebooks
•Rubrics
•Student Self-Evaluation
•Student Report Cards
December
May
16. 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.
17. 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
18.
19. Communication is key to your
child’s success.
You may always contact me…
•By e-mail kgerma@neisd.net
•By phone 407-1000
“Education is not the filling of a
bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats.
20. Wish List: Things we need
•Post Its
•Glue Sticks…lots and lots
•Crayons and Markers
•I will post on my Blog as we run low on supplies. Any
help is Much appreciated.
