Mrs. Pink's Dec. 2015 GE News
Park Brook, Birch Grove, & Crest View Elementary
I have really been enjoying working with your students. It was nice seeing many parents at Birch Grove Arts Night. Please note what's happening and what will be coming up in Gifted Education.
Testing for GE Services Coming Up in January and Early February
Second Grade Students will be given the Cognitive Abilities Test!
What does CogAT measure?
CogAT measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime, and at different rates for different individuals. CogAT does not measure such factors as effort, attention, motivation, and work habits, which contribute to school achievement as well.
All second graders will be given the Cognitive Abilities Test in January. Data gathered from this process and the upcoming NWEA assessments, will be used for decisions about GE services for 2016-17. Watch the Wednesday envelope for testing schedule and additional information. You do not need to sign and return anything unless you DO NOT want your child tested.
Third and Fourth graders can be tested with the CogAT too! If your child brought home a permission slip, PLEASE return it as soon as possible. Parents may also nominate students for this testing and students may self-nominate. If you are interested in having your child tested, contact me for additional information or to nominate your child for testing.
Continuing this month is 3rd Grade Non-Verbal Class
Non-Verbal Class-K'Nex Bridges
Students will know the following:
- How “load” affects the strength of bridge structures
Students will understand the following:
- Trusses strengthen beam bridge structures
- The strength of a truss comes from its triangular shape
Students will be able to (do):
- Modify a structure to increase its strength
- Successfully work as part of a team to complete assigned investigations
- Use creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem solving to design and build load-bearing K’NEX bridges
4th Grade Quantitative Class
Quantitative class-Would You Rather?/Perennial Math
Students will know the following:
- Math can be used to answer questions of choice that are a part of everyday life.
Students will understand the following:
- Tables, bar graphs, timelines, and different strategies to solve problems and demonstrate their thinking when comparing products and making choices.
Students will be able to (do):
- Analyze data by organizing, displaying and interpreting it.
5th Grade NonVerbal
Non-Verbal-Lego Mindstorms
Students will know the following:
- Steps in the Scientific method.
- How to interpret LEGO directions that lead to the construction of a robot.
- Distinguishing characteristics of LEGO parts.
- Steps in sequential programming.
Students will understand the following:
- Details (parts and actions) in a schematic diagram are essential for creating a robot that is able to perform pre-determined tasks.
- There is a strong correlation between observed details and analysis for problem-solving.
- The robot developer is responsible for programming commands to activate a response in the robot.
Students will be able to (do):
- Systematically organize, maintain, and be responsible for parts and materials.
- Build a robot according to a plan.
- Program a LEGO robot for planned “work,” (i.e., the action events are not random.)
- Demonstrate persistence through the trial and error (empirical) process.
Who Knew?!
Students who may need Gifted Education Quantitative classes may show evidence of the following abilities:
- Multiple Intelligence strength in logical reasoning/math
- Strong academic performance and/or potential, particularly in math (Evidence may include math RIT score, MCA score, classroom performance)
- Makes distinction between minute logical inconsistencies
- Pairs logical and creative thinking to solve problems
- Strong interest in math computation, problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and/or complex patterns
Students who may need Gifted Education Non-Verbal classes may show evidence of the following abilities
- Multiple Intelligence strength in visual/spatial, logic, and/or bodily kinesthetic
- Sequencing skills
- Pattern recognition
- Constructive problem-solving
- Hands-on processing
- Communication with pictures, images and/or large gestures
- Makes distinction between minute visual differences
- Pairs logical and creative thinking to solve problems
Holiday Gift Ideas for Gifted Children
http://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Publication%20PHP/PHP_2015_ToyList.pdf
More Creative & Innovative Ideas for Children's Gifts
GE Monthly District Parent Meetings
Our first Osseo district GE parent meeting was a success! We had over 55 parents in attendance. The purpose of these meetings is to provide parent support for students participating in gifted education needs based classes. There will be monthly meetings throughout the year with various topics – see schedule below. These sessions will be facilitated by several of our #279 Gifted Education Teachers. All meetings will be held at Oak View Elementary in the media center and will be from 6:30-7:30 pm. Childcare and a light snack will be provided. Our second meeting will be December 8th and the topic will be on intensity, perfectionism and stress, which are all common characteristics of gifted children.
Be sure to RSVP on the link below.
December 8th, 2015
6:30-7:30 PM
Intensity, Perfectionism and Stress
January 12th, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Motivation, Enthusiasm, and Underachievement
February 9th, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Idealism, Unhappiness and Depression
March 29th, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Communication: The Key to Relationships
April 12, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Not Just Gifted? Twice-Exceptional Children, Organization Issues
May 10th, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Advocating for Your Gifted Child Gifted Child
The REACH FOR THE STARS Catalog that was handed out at the November Parent Forum is linked below.
Contact Julie Pink
Pinkj@district279.org or 612 804 0139
Gifted Education Resources:
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page: www.hoagiesgifted.org
National Association for Gifted Children: www.nagc.org
Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG): www.sengifted.org
Parent Presentation
Tuesday, Dec 8, 2015, 06:30 PM
Oak View Elementary School, East Fish Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.