There's "Snow" Better Place
Than The Gifted and Talented Classroom!
January Gifted and Talented Newsletter!
Oh What Fun It Is To.......Wait! Are Those The GT Teachers? "Snow"body can rock the Winter Break like these fabulous educators!
PARENTING GIFTED CHILDREN
A Gifted Sense of Perception
The existential dilemma faced by perceptive gifted children is how to learn to be trusting (but not naive) in a world whose limits and defects they see all too clearly. Trusting relationships, based on mutual respect, that teach children to examine what people really mean and to judge the applicability of coping strategies for particular situations, need to be fostered. Within the context of such relationships, differences of opinion can be explored in an effort to understand how other people experience truth, what most hold as basic truths, and how truth is derived as an absolute. This includes discussion of the difference between absolute right, including moral right, and fairness in dealing with others.
It can be helpful for these children to learn when truth is important and when feelings count more. Since many have trouble making that judgment, parents can be helpful in role playing and thinking aloud about the feelings engendered by the words used. As children learn that feelings also count, and that there can be other opinions that are equally valid, they also learn that there is room for compromise and negotiation.
Also, gifted children should learn that direct action is not always possible. There are times when children and adults cannot speak up or prevent an injustice. In those cases, other strategies that focus attention on a problem may be possible. For example. Amnesty International uses witnessing and reporting from a distance to document such atrocities as slavery, Apartheid, concentration camps, and other violations of human rights. It is important for gifted children to learn how such techniques have led to later change, for example, in South Africa. Also, letter writing, fund raising and other such mundane appearing strategies, often not so visibly successful to gifted children looking for solutions that are larger than life, can accomplish much.
Fostering a sense of interconnectedness with others in the world through the teaching of empathy and ethics is vital in developing the high sense of justice and truth these children possess (Roeper 1989).
Some gifted children have trouble understanding the behavior of age peers. It makes no sense to young gifted children that other children might not want to be shown the best way to do something, or might prefer to do things the way they always have, even if it is not very fair.
These gifted children often profit from an approach in which they study peers as an anthropologist might to discover the rituals and beliefs of other children. For example, it can be very useful for children who are sensitive to teasing to see that most children do not share their sensitivity, and may, in fact, regard teasing as a sort of game. This “Margaret Mead” approach also may help them to understand how fairness and truth may look to peers. Perceptive children may need help with adult relationships as well, particularly in understanding that adults, who are less perceptive than they, may be threatened by what they see. The story of the emperor’s new clothes may be useful in discussing what might have happened were the emperor less willing to know the truth.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE GIFTED & TALENTED LEARNER
Winter Tree Paintings
White paper
Masking Tape
Paint
Have your child tear pieces of masking tape in the shape of a trunk and branches. Place it on the white paper. Paint a beautiful winter background. Then, simply remove the tape!
Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
Let's Go Sledding!
Great Ideas For Tools:
Legos
Card Stock
Lego characters
empty toilet paper/paper towel tubes
sugar cubes
tape
q-tips
popsicle sticks
toothpicks
marshmallows
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jet Out In January To . . . .
Below are some upcoming events that may be fun for your family. Please note that these events are not associated with nor supported by Frisco ISD.
Ham Radio Saturdays
This event occurs the Second Saturday of each Month from 02/09/2013 to 00/00/0000
Event Time: 11:00:00 AM till 02:00:00 PM
Cost: Free with Admission
Ages: All
Location Name: Sci-Tech Discovery Center
Location Address: 8004 N Dallas Pkwy Frisco, TX 75034 Click for Google Map
Description: Join amateur radio operators from around DFW and learn how to operate a real HAM radio, getting the chance to speak with fellow operators from around the country and world.
Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, 11:00 AM
Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Dallas Parkway, Frisco, TX, United States
Frisco StarFest
This event occurs the Second Saturday of each Month from 04/13/2013 to 00/00/0000
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Location Name: Frisco Commons Park
Location Address: 8000 McKinney Rd Frisco, TX Click for Google Map
Description: Approximately a dozen telescopes will be set up for your viewing pleasure. Weather Permitting. Setup Time: Sunset pm; Begins at dark and concludes at 10:30pm CST. TAS offers free, family-friendly, events throughout the Dallas area each month. Volunteers set up their own telescopes and allow the public to view space through the telescopes.
Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, 06:00 PM
Frisco Commons, McKinney Road, Frisco, TX, United States
Coast To Coast in 48 Hours
This event occurs Daily from 10/31/2015 to 05/07/2016
Cost: Museum Admission: $7/Adults; $4/Seniors and Children ages 2-18 yrs; under 2- free
Ages: All Ages
Location Name: American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum
Location Address: 4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road, Ft. Worth TX Click for Google Map
Description: In 1929 Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart helped launch a new era in trans-continental travel. Come aboard as we launch Coast to Coast in 48 hours.
Friday, Jan 1, 2016, 10:00 AM
American Airlines Cr Smith Museum, Highway 360, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Disney's Cinderella KIDS
This event occurs Daily from 01/14/2016 to 01/17/2016
Cost: $10 in advance and $12 at the door
Ages: All Ages
Location Name: Frisco Discovery Center
Location Address: 8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco TX Click for Google Map
Description: Poor Cinderella is endlessly mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters and denied a chance to go to the royal ball. With a little help from her mice friends, and a lot of help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella's dreams come true. She goes to the ball, meets the Prince, and falls in love!
Thursday, Jan 14, 2016, 10:00 AM
Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Dallas Parkway, Frisco, TX, United States
Family Zoo Adventures: Insect Investigations
Date of event: 01/09/2016
Event Time: 09:15:00 AM till 11:15:00 AM
Cost: Non Members: $20/child, $20/adult, Zoo Member: $15/child, $15/adult
Ages: 4 - 12, with adult
Location Name: Dallas Zoo
Location Address: 650 S. R. L. Thornton Freeway Dallas, TX 75203 Click for Google Map
Description: Families can explore the wonderful world of wildlife together during the ALL NEW Family Zoo Adventure Saturday Programs! On January 9th, participate in an Insect Investigation! Discover how some of the smallest creatures on earth have some of the most important jobs though activity stations, an up close animal encounter, and a special zoo tour. Activities are developed for families with youth between 4 and 12.
Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, 09:15 AM
Dallas Zoo, South R L Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX, United States
Model Train Exhibit
This event occurs each Week on Saturday
Event Time: 10:00:00 AM till 04:00:00 PM
Cost: $2/Adults; $1/Children ages 3 - 12; Free - 2 & under
Location Name: Lone Star Hi-Railers Model Train Association
Location Address: 410 W. Dallas Rd, Grapevine TX Click for Google Map
Description: Visit the Lone Star Hi-Railers’ unique hi-rail O gauge model train layout built inside an authentic vintage baggage car and located less than one block from the Cotton Belt Depot. The exhibit is open Sat @ 10am – 4pm; Sun @ 10am – 3pm.
Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, 10:00 AM
410 W Dallas Rd, Grapevine, TX, United States
Perot Museum presents IMAX Wonders of the Arctic
This event occurs Daily from 11/22/2015 to 01/14/2016
Location Name: The Hoglund Foundation Theater @ Perot Museum
Location Address: 2201 N. Field Street Dallas, Texas 75201-1704 Click for Google Map
Description: The Arctic has always been a place of mystery, myth and fascination. Wonders of the Arctic 3D centers on the ongoing mission to explore the Arctic and the compelling stories of the many ventures into this captivating place. The film continues to explore the state of the Arctic today by visiting the polar bear capital of the world, interacting with ice scientists, and joining a beluga biologist expedition. Underlying all these tales is the crucial role that ice plays in the northern environment and the changes that are quickly overtaking the people and animals who have adapted to this land of ice and snow.
Saturday, Jan 2, 2016, 10:00 AM
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, North Field Street, Dallas, TX, United States
Dinosaurs Live!
Admission: $0-9
Stephanie Jennings
972-562-5566
http://www.heardmuseum.org/
Included in general admission Encounter the 46-foot T-Rex and eight new life-size animatronic dinosaurs along the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s nature trails at the 9th annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard Exhibit. Field trip and birthday party options available. Please note that we are unable to animate the dinosaurs when temperatures drop below 45 degrees.