GT with Mrs. G!
Winter Break Edition!
Student Scoop
Challenges and Brain Teasers for Winter Break Fun!
Don't let your brain muscles stop working over Winter Break!!! Take some time to read for fun, do some brain teasers, write, create, draw, and think!!!
- Get a jump start on Mrs. Gilbert's 2018 40 Book Challenge
- Math Brain Teasers
- Brain Food
- Illusion Works
ACT practice
Several of you are planning to take the ACT in February. Winter Break is a great time to do some prep for the big test, although if you are a middle schooler taking the ACT through Duke TIP, I would advise you to just do your best and not worry too much about the test this time. If you would like to familiarize yourself with the test format and time limits, check out these links for more information:
- What have you read lately that you just really loved (or maybe that you hated!!!)? Click the book review link to see some examples and then type up your own.
- Maybe you are more of a photographer, artist, or poet? I'd love to publish your work, too.
- Short stories or essays? Bring them to me!!!
Nominate a teacher who does a great job meeting the needs of gifted kids in his/her classroom. They will get a small token of our appreciation and we'll share your kind words in an upcoming newsletter. (Parents can nominate, too!)
Get Involved
Check out the bottom of the newsletters for lots of exciting opportunities for young people below.
Parent Ponderings
Here is an article from the Child Development Institute with some tips on nurturing your gifted learners at home.
Also, I'm including some tips from Psychology Today on how to best partner with your child's teacher for maximum benefit. You are their biggest advocate!
Teacher Talk
TEACHING GIFTED STUDENTS
One of my favorite gifted/talented teacher leaders is Ian from Byrdseed.org. His website is full of fabulous ideas and thought-provoking articles. Check out this one about stretching students in your classroom. As always, I'm here to help you.
Nominate a student for recognition by clicking this link and telling me about a gifted kid in your class who really shines.
Mrs. Gilbert's Classes/Extension Offerings/Schedule for 3rd Quarter
Primary Talent Pool
1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders will be studying fables, mythology, and world cultures. We are going to be working with some Junior Great Books materials and learning about the shared inquiry process.
Intermediate/Middle School
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday- 4th/5th/6th: We will read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle and investigate time travel and science. Our culminating project will be a choice of a newspaper article, pamphlet or a recorded or live news report with a written transcript (probably- unless I come up with something more fun!)
- 7th/8th: National History Day projects. Students will select a topic to research related to the concept of the theme of "Conflict and Compromise." Students will prepare a project (a paper, documentary, performance, exhibit, or website) for the regional NHD competition.
Friday
- 4th/5th/6th: Leadership Development- Students will investigate key characteristics of powerful leaders, learn problem-solving skills, and plan a school/community service project.
- 6th/7th/8th: KUNA- Prepare for our Kentucky United Nations Assembly conference in March. $250/student to attend with some financial aid available.
High School
I will continue working with my RISE group of juniors, but I will be adding "office hours" on Wednesday mornings to have small group or one-on-one sessions with high school students to focus on individual goal setting, progress monitoring, and planning. I have one field trip planned for February (IdeaFestival Bowling Green) and would like to take 9th/10th graders on at least one more outing. Thank you, high school students and parents, for your patience as I figure out a way to work gifted services into the existing structure at FHS. If you are a student at FHS and haven't completed this survey that I sent out earlier this year, please do so now. Parents, forward to your high schooler.
Upcoming Activities
Every Wednesday and Thursday: Academic Team Practice (MG with Gilbert, EL with Snipes)
December 18: Winter Band Concert @ 6:30 p.m., FHS Auditorium
December 18: PSPL Perler Bead Ornaments
December 20: Middle School Academic Team Holiday Party, Mrs. Gilbert's room
December 21-January 3: Winter Break
January 4, 2019: Back to School (Academic Team Practice resumes!)
January 20, 2018: Middle Grades District Governor's Cup
February 3, 2018: Middle Grades Regional Governor's Cup
February 10, 2018: Elementary Grades District Governor's Cup
February 10, 2018: ACT for Duke TIP kids
February 2018: Super Saturdays @ Western Kentucky University
February 16, 2018: IdeaFestival Bowling Green (more info coming soon!)
February 26, 2018: KAGE Conference
March 3, 2018: Elementary Grades Regional Governor's Cup
March 18-20, 2019: KUNA
March 2018: Camp Innovation @ Northern Kentucky University spring course offerings are available here. They have classes for K-8 students.*Most programs at the Paul Sawyier Public Library (www.PSPL.org) require pre-registration.
Mrs. Elly Gilbert
Frankfort Independent Schools
Y-Club Sponsor and Middle School Academic Team Coach, SSS
Email: elly.gilbert2@frankfort.kyschools.us
Phone: 502-875-8658
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GTwithMrsG/
Twitter: @mrsellygilbert