Survey: How do schools cater for academically gifted children in South Australia?

Please fill out this survey to give us a better idea of how gifted children are faring in SA schools.
Thanks in advance!

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Join me on Facebook

It has been quite awhile since I have added anything to this blog, and I feel an explanation is in order. 


I was working on a social media proposal for the Gifted and Talented Children's Association of South Australia, which was accepted, and I have been asked to become their publicity officer. So, this is good news.. but also means that I will be concentrating my efforts on their behalf, rather than on this blog.

So, please, follow me over to Facebook at www.facebook.com/gtcasa  and I will keep you updated with the Gifted and Talented news from South Australia and beyond! 


If you wish to become a member of GTCASA, please have a look at our Facebook page, or you can view their website here for more information: www.gtcasa.asn.au


Hope to see you soon! 

Jake teaches us Calculus 2. Techniques of Integration

This is Jake Barnett. He's a 12 year old boy who was diagnosed with Autism, but who now communicates effectively, attends University, and is being considered for a research position. Amazing. Full kudos to his Mum who really stuck by him. When everyone told her what he couldn't do, she focused on what he COULD do. Lovely story - I look forward to hearing more about Jake in the years to come.

http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=80716

Oh yes.. and he is working on a new theory of relativity.

http://shanegreenup.com/2011/03/jacob-barnett-and-scientific-progress/

The Fibonnacci suite in all it's beauty

High achiever, Gifted Learner, or Creative Thinker?

http://www.bertiekingore.com/high-gt-create.htm

This is an interesting article by Bertie Kingore PHD, on how high achievers are often mistaken for gifted students when in fact the characteristics are very different. Of course, there are gifted learners who are high achievers, but high achievers are not necessarily gifted learners. We could almost draw a Venn Diagram..

Enjoy!


- Posted by Kat (using BlogPress from my iPhone)

New Resources

I've recently come across some great activities for active minds. 
Please check the resources link on the right and have fun exploring! 


The BBC/learning site is a BETA version, but really looks great. The content is UK specific though, so if you want Australian content, try http://www.abc.net.au/learn/
instead


Enjoy the adventure :)

Gifted Education Professional Development Package

Gifted Education Professional Development Package

It's a free modular course, which can be downloaded. Contains all essential information for teachers on what they should know when teaching exceptionally able or gifted and talented students.

- Excellent course, authored by one of the leaders in the field of gifted education, Dr. Miraca Gross.

[Read More]


- Posted by Kat (using BlogPress from my iPhone)

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

As part of Joe Bowers's initiative to saturate various blogs with Ken Robinson's educational messages, I add one of my favourite youtube video's from TedTalks. I hope you enjoy it, and are inspired to create a better educational world for future generations.

11 Science Resources to try in 2011

Richard Byrne at Free Tech for Teachers has 11 wonderful science resources for 2011.

Have a look, have a try.. you won't be disappointed.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/01/11-science-resources-to-try-in-2011.html?m=1

Gifted and Talented Children's Association of South Australia

Gifted and Talented Children's Association of South Australia seems to be struggling.
This is not good for the gifted children in SA!  http://www.gtcasa.asn.au/

The Trouble With Bright Girls

This article really reminded me of some really wonderful, bright women I know.
I wonder how many are caught in this loop?

For women, ability doesn't always lead to confidence. Here's why:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-success/201101/the-trouble-bright-girls

Do abilities even out in 3rd Grade?

read article here

A further affirmation that the early school experience is so important to the gifted child.

All children deserve to learn!


- Posted by Kat (using BlogPress from my iPhone)

11 Science Resources to try in 2011

This is a wonderful site, written and compiled by Richard Byrne. Thank you, thankyou, thank you! Free Tech for Teachers


- Posted by Kat (using BlogPress from my iPhone)

Article from Christine Gillions

Read this article: Gifted children are more different than alike by Christine Gillions.


- Posted by Kat (using BlogPress from my iPhone)

Tom Lehrer's "The Elements" Animated

This is a great animation of Tom Lehrer's 'The Elements'. We had a look at many, but we both think this was the best version by far. Hope you enjoy it!

Meet the Elements - They Might be Giants

My son and I have been loving 'Meet the Elements' today.

They Might Be Giants also have many other fantastic educational songs... thanks for making it fun :)

What is Gifted Education - A powerpoint presentation

what is gifted education?

See more presentations by 48.cowens | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

Knowledge & Skill Standards in Gifted Education For All Teachers

http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=5400

"Knowledge & Skill Standards in Gifted and Talented Education for All Teachers

All teachers should:

1. understand the issues in definitions, theories, and identification of gifted and talented students, including those from diverse backgrounds;

2. recognize the learning differences, developmental milestones, and cognitive/affective characteristics of gifted and talented students, including those from diverse backgrounds, and identify their related academic and social-emotional needs; and

3. understand, plan, and implement a range of evidence-based strategies to assess gifted and talented students, to differentiate instruction, content, and assignments for them (including the use of higher-order critical and creative-thinking skills), and to nominate them for advanced programs or acceleration as needed."

Wise Ones Australia - Looking for SA Teachers.

Wise Ones Australia - www.wiseones.com.au

WiseOnes provides a support service for high potential children, in your primary school, in school time or during out of school programs. This includes secondary gifted or special needs.

The qualified, registered, experienced and happy teachers attend the school weekly to deliver specifically designed curriculum for these children.

Specialising in Gifted Education, WiseOnes helps fast learners develop their real potential through programs in school time and more. They have provided support for schools in the area of gifted education for 13 years.

They have well qualified, experienced, registered teachers/leaders and parents of a variety of gifted children. They are also a member of Gifted Services Association, VAGTC and Australian Council for Educational Leaders.

This all sounds wonderful, doesn't it? I thought so too, until I contacted them and discovered they don't have a teacher/leader in South Australia yet. So please, if you are an interested teacher, get in contact with WiseOwls via the website.

Here is some information regarding the teacher/leader role:

"All we need is a teacher leader to take up a Licence and we can supply everything they need to make it all happen; Licence, Trademark, full curriculum for primary and junior secondary, training personally and with training videos. Also full video set for Professional Development in Giftedness and Teaching the Gifted for the Licencee's eventual team of teachers. Also we have an internal secure website full of business support and know-how for Licencees and PowerPoints on each curriculum unit for
their teachers."

"We have made sure it is not expensive and it's easy for teachers to afford and to do with all the support.

Teachers who have been leaders in schools or sports clubs or parent groups are suited to this. One of our teachers has just asked to take on a Licence after teaching with us for a year, and one took one on last year after teaching for two terms with us. They are parents of gifted children themselves and see how they can grow in knowledge that helps their family as well as providing support for many more gifted children and creating a business for themselves based at home. Older teachers find there is no retirement age and they have been active leaders in schools for a long time and want to stay involved in a tax effective way."

The Dark Side of Being Bright

Throughout my week, I read many articles on giftedness. Many more than what I post here. This article 'spoke' to me because many people seem to assume that being gifted is wonderful. Sure, it has it's highlights, but sometimes it can be quite a burden. As parents, I think it is our responsibility to help our kids navigate the social and emotional burdens of being gifted.

The dark side of being bright - [read more]