This document summarizes a GT parent meeting at Bulverde Creek Elementary School. It provides information about the GT teacher, Mrs. Kacie Germadnik, characteristics of gifted children, and the goals and curriculum of the GT program. It describes how the GT program focuses on higher-order thinking skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving. It also outlines the schedule, assessment process, student work, communication methods, and a wish list for classroom supplies.

1. GT Parent Meeting
Bulverde Creek Elementary School
GT Teacher
Mrs. Kacie Germadnik
2013-2014

2. Depth & Complexity Icons
Based upon the work of Sandra Kaplan, USC

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. 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

6. 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)

7. K-2 Themes:
 K—Exploring Thinking
 1st –Exploring Differences
 Discoveries
 2nd—Exploring Connections
 Natural/Manmade Structures
 Biomimicry
Students that qualify for GT K-2 will remain
in GT each year until the end of 2nd grade.

8. GT Class
Schedule
Kinder: Friday Mornings
1st Grade: Monday mornings
2nd Grade: Monday
afternoons
They have their normal
specials, recess, and lunch
times.

9. 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.

10. •Discovery Notebooks and
Structures Notebooks
•Depth and Complexity
Reflection sheets
•Student Report Cards
January
(2nd Grade only)
May (Kinder, 1st and
2nd)

11. Special
Issues:
Homework
Policy
Absences/Attendance

12.  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

14. Communication is key
to your child’s
success.
You may always contact
•By e-mail kgerma@neisd.net
•By phone 407-1000
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“Education is not the filling of a
bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats.

15. Wish List: Things we need
•Crayons
•Colored pencils
•Wipes
•Model Magic…white
•. Any help is Much appreciated!