GT with Mrs. G!
January 29, 2018
Student Scoop
CELEBRATE!
We have so much to be proud of in our FIS family this week. Here are a few students who deserve a shout out!
- Sam Catron won 1st place in Science in his division at the State Beta Convention! He will be going to National Convention this summer!
- Margi Walter's Fiber Art took 3rd in her division! She will also advance
- Isabella Johnson placed 4th in Written Composition at regional Middle School Governor's Cup, Ella McCutchen placed 5th in the same category, and Dorothy Hanson placed 5th in Language Arts. All three of these students advance to state competition in March! We haven't sent any students on to state since 2014, so this is a really big deal!
- High School District Governor's Cup occurred last weekend, and Frankfort High is advancing two students to Regionals! Richard Jones (5th in Science), and Jake Broaddus (5th in Social Studies, 2nd in Language Arts). Way to go!
- 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.
Student Created Mastery Connect PSA
Parent Ponderings
Kentucky Association for Gifted Education (KAGE) hosts an annual conference in February. I have been before and it is always fabulous. Consider attending Parent Night on February 26 for just $10.
February is Gifted Education Month in Kentucky
Last Wednesday, I took a group of students over to the Capitol to participate in celebrating the proclamation that February is Gifted Education Month in Kentucky. We heard legislators speak about the importance of a quality gifted program. We also heard from students who have benefited from the programs. It was inspiring to see so many people honor gifted education! Next year, I plan to take an even bigger delegation to participate in the ceremony. See pictures below!
Many students had questions about Craft Academy and Gatton Academy, both residential STEM programs for high school students that allow them to live on a college campus and earn college credit as they complete an accelerated high school program. I would love to take students on a field trip to see both schools. Look for details about this in the upcoming weeks!
Teacher Talk
TEACHING GIFTED STUDENTS
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." Albert Einstein
Here is a fabulous article about fostering creative thinking in a standards based classroom, which can seem especially challenging at times.
Curriculum Compacting
Learn more about the strategy of Curriculum Compacting here. Basically, when your students are consistently demonstrating mastery of the standards, they need to experience challenging extension work to grow. Exact Path can offer that challenge, so use it wisely! Remember, if they are demonstrating mastery of a standard, you can offer them something different, but it should not be extra! Offer options in place of the work for which they've already shown mastery.
Nominate a student for recognition by clicking this link and telling me about a gifted kid in your class who really shines.
In the Classroom
Primary Talent Pool
Monday-Wednesday 4/5/6
Monday-Wednesday 7/8
Friday 4/5/6
6/7/8 KUNA
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 will be in the former IHS room (main floor, take a left, end of the hall on the left). I will start making appointments with students next week. 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. Here is the link for this week's FHS Newsletter.
Upcoming Activities
Academic Team practices are no longer being held.
KUNA Resolution Sponsor clinics will happen on Thursday of this week (2/1/18).
February 5: Let the Games Begin, grades 6-12 @PSPL, 6:30-7:30
February 6: KUNA registration and FEES due.
February 10: Elementary Grades District Governor's Cup
February 10: ACT for Duke TIP kids
February 12: Improv Night at PSPL
February 15: STEAM Club at PSPL(grades 1-5)
February 2018: Super Saturdays @ Western Kentucky University
February 26-27: KAGE Conference
March 3: Elementary Grades Regional Governor's Cup
March 17-18: Middle Grades State Governor's Cup
March 18-20: 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