Excel Elucidation
January 2016
KINDERGARTEN GT TESTING THIS MONTH
I'm sure they have watched me walking kindergartners to my classroom for GT testing, donning bubbles and duck tails. We'll wrap up the testing process the first week in February, and classes resume February 8th.
Hooray!
To assure you I haven't forgotten you or your child, here are a few things I want to share.
While I'm testing...
Before Winter Break, I gave teachers links to different challenging activities for their gifted students in the regular classroom.
PLUS...
Classroom teachers have been given a copy of this page, along with paper for each GT student, in case your child wants to create a small poster for the classroom. Completely optional!* TAGT Scholarship Opportunities *
If your child is interested in attending a summer camp, there are scholarship opportunities available through Texas Association for Gifted and Talented. Check it out:
http://www.txgifted.org/scholarshipsDeadline is February 26th, but if your child needs a recommendation, please give me plenty of time to complete it. (Remember, I'm at two campuses.)
Davidson Institute Newsletter - Excellent Articles
When you visit this site, scroll down to "On the Web", you'll find some great articles on parenting your unique child.
http://news.ditd.org/January_16/eNews_January16_web.htmHARK!
February 14-20 is National Random Acts of Kindness week:
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
But in Excel, because RAK doesn't sound as appealing as HARK, I changed my week to HARK - Heartfelt Acts of Random Kindness.
...“If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.” – Booker T. Washington
All week long, February 15-19, my students will be writing down their acts of random kindness on sticky notes, placing them on a poster in the Excel classroom.
...“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” – Henry James
So, what is an act of random kindness?
- Random - unplanned, without regularity or pattern
- Act - something done, a deed, an action
- Kindness - benevolence, compassion, good turn
As we discuss the meaning in class, I do explain that while picking someone else's books that fall to the ground is an act of random kindness, knocking them out of their hands first isn't.
...“If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.” – Booker T. Washington
How can you help? Start demonstrating random acts of kindness at your house, and discussing it with your child.
...“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
We can raise a future generation of compassionate adults by starting with Heartfelt Acts of Random Kindness.
...“When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” – Harold Kushner
Keller ISD Film Festival wants YOUR CHILD'S VIDEOS!
It's not too late to enter the Keller ISD Film Festival!
Check out the link for categories and ideas. Your child can enter a video for any or ALL categories. It's their patriotic duty! (Not really, but it was fun putting this photo together.)
Here's a link to last year's KISD Film Festival winning videos and finalists:
http://www.kellerisd.net/community/media/film/Pages/2014-15-Film.aspx
Social and Emotional Corner - Perfectionism
Two great books -
Perfectionism: What's Bad About Being Too Good by Miriam Adderholdt, PhD and Jan Goldberg
What to Do When Good Enough Isn't Good Enough: The Real Deal on Perfectionism: A Guide for Kids by Thomas S. Greenspon, Ph.D.
Coming soon...my "perfectionism" lesson with the kiddos!
Keller ISD Counseling Department presents...
"Making Rules and Enforcing Consequences" at Liberty Elementary this Thursday (1-28-16) at 8:30 am. Find out more, and RSVP by following this link:
https://www.smore.com/rr6g4-the-parenting-centerGayle Barron, GT Specialist
Woodland Springs Elementary
Keller-Harvel Elementary