Topics for Teachers
Rowan County Gifted Program Monthly Consultation Email
Welcome Back!
August Resources
#2: Puzzlements (from Ian Byrd)
Ian Byrd (gifted guru) shares a weekly email that you can subscribe to called Puzzlements. Each week there are four or five links to different videos, etc - very useful for math or science investigations and/or writing prompts.
To subscribe, CLICK HERE
To see examples from previous years: CLICK HERE
Additional Timely Information
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**Special resource just for Math teachers**
"Most Difficult First"
- Usually used with skill-type activities. A teacher allows students to demonstrate mastery of the three to five most difficult problems of an assignment and then to participate in alternate activities without having to do an entire assignment.
- Some students already have mastered a skill and do not need additional drill and practice. This strategy allows them to do alternate, more meaningful activities.
- After the teacher has finished teaching a lesson and has assigned homework or classwork to practice the skill just taught, the teacher stars the three to five most difficult problems of an assignment. All students have an opportunity to do only these most difficult problems to try to demonstrate mastery. If a student achieves the level of mastery determined by the teacher, the teacher gives him/her full credit for doing the entire assignment and allows him/her to do something else while the rest of the class does the assignment. The student who demonstrates mastery receives an A that mastery would represent had he/she completed the entire assignment. It is best for students not to have to answer 5 out of 5 questions correctly to demonstrate mastery; this sends the message that perfection is necessary. Any student who does not demonstrate mastery on the five most difficult problems or who needs to ask the teacher for help must do the entire assignment.
- Appropriate replacement materials would be problems that require additional thinking or problem solving to complete. Students might be allowed to work in a group on replacement materials.
Rowan County Gifted and Talented Program
GT Coordinator and Instructor
Email: genny.jenkins@rowan.kyschools.us
Website: www.tinyurl.com/mrsjenkinspage
Location: 551 Viking Drive, Morehead, KY, USA
Phone: 606.784.8928
All About Mrs. Jenkins
My name is Genny Jenkins and I am the gifted coordinator and teaching specialist for the Rowan County Schools. I am currently in my 24th year as an educator. I work with students in the gifted program in grades 4 - 12 as well as providing enrichment services for students in grades K - 3 as part of the Primary Talent Pool.
I have a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a master's degree in School Administration, both from Morehead State University, as well as a Gifted Certification from Murray State University.
I love to travel, knit, read, play the piano, and craft. I am passionate about gifted education and I am proud to be an advocate for the gifted students of our district.
I live in Morehead with my husband, Greg, who works for Morehead State Public Radio. We are the proud parents of three wonderful young men.