Mrs. Haynes Jan. 2017 GE News
Gifted Education News for Rice Lake Elementary
Happy New Year!
2017 has arrived! I hope you were able to enjoy time as a family during the winter break and maybe even sneak in a little rest and relaxation! I look forward to getting right back into the swing of working with students!
Pull Out Groups--Needs Based Classes (NBC's)
The second round of groups will be wrapping up right after students return from winter break, and round 3 will start right after that! The topics/focus of the new groups are listed below. Students selected for these groups will be sent a letter (with more specific outcomes and session schedule) the week before it starts letting them now they will be participating in this group. I will enjoy welcoming both new and returning students to our GE community!
- 3rd Grade: Non-Verbal--K'NEX Bridges
- 4th Grade: Quantitative--In One Day
- 5th Grade: Non-Verbal--Crime Scene Investigation
Young Scientist Roundtable--Family Enrichment Opportunity
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Wayzata Central Middle School/305 Vicksburg Lane/Plymouth
Dr. William Pomerantz, University of Minnesota, will speak on "Chemistry to Modern Medicine: Changing the Way We Dye"
Over the last three centuries, the field of chemistry has evolved from being based on scientific curiosity and inquiry to a science that continually impacts our daily lives with life-saving medicines and high-tech materials. There are many exciting and informative personal narratives that led to these discoveries, and along with Professor Pomerantz's research, this talk will include the stories behind several landmark discoveries, from foundational work in synthetic dyes that color our clothes to the research that led to the first antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs.
Your FREE participation in each month’s Young Scientist Roundtable is funded by Gifted Education 279. YSR is hosted by Wayzata Central Middle School but many districts participate.
Minnesota Institute for the Talented & Gifted - MITY
Growth Mindset Tips
As I mentioned in the first newsletter, there is a large amount of research that is being done in the area of mindset, and that research is showing that your mindset can have just as much impact on your success and achievement as your intellectual potential/ability. Last month I shared two different tips and promised more with each newsletter. Here is one for this month!
Tip #4
HOW YOU CAN HELP FOSTER A GROWTH MINDSET AT HOME:
1. Pay attention and verbally praise kids for skills that don’t sound predetermined: hard work, persistence, rising to a challenge, learning from a mistake, etc., rather than being “smart”, “brilliant” or “gifted.”. If you see your children working hard on something, make sure to tell them you are just as proud of their persistence as you would have been if their work had been perfect right.
2. Be a growth mindset role model. Be honest: how often do you say “I can’t (cook/sing/balance my bank account)” or “I’m terrible at (sports/spelling/public speaking)” as if there’s no hope for you? Make sure you’re sending the right message – maybe even take on something new! (It doesn’t have to be cooking!) Help them learn to finish any sentence about something they are currently unable to do with the word “yet”!
3. Encourage your child to forget taking the easy route (where little learning is done) and instead embrace challenges. A sheet full of questions he already knows the answers to won’t “grow the brain” like one deeper problem to solve (even if he doesn’t get the correct answer).
4. Remember growth mindset isn’t just academic; it applies to many areas of life (athletic, musical, social). Having trouble getting the basketball into the net? Keep making mistakes on a guitar chord? Tried to initiate play with someone but it didn’t go well? Discuss the next step for improvement.
5. Discourage envy of peers, and talk to your child about what he or she can learn from others who appear more successful. While skills may come more easily to some, most often there’s a (possibly unseen) element of practice, persistence, and hard work which leads to achievement
*Embracing a growth mindset isn’t always easy, but can have a huge impact on your child and perhaps on you, too!
GE Monthly District Parent Forums
The purpose of these meetings is to provide parent support for students participating in gifted education needs based classes. These sessions will be facilitated by several of our #279 Gifted Education Teachers. All meetings will be held at Oak View Elementary and will be from 6:00-7:30 pm. Childcare for children 4+ years will be provided. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions, I will be linking the presentation information here.
February 28th
Topic Focus: We will discuss summer enrichment opportunities, digital programs offerings and Advanced Academic Programs.
April 25
Topic Focus: To be determined
May 23rd
Topic Focus: How to help your family/child fit in when necessary and how to be the protector and advocate for your child at school, AND with your family and friends.
Materials from Previous Parent Forums
Identification Information
Our district has now approved the use of the new and updated version of the CogAT. This version is computerized, provides immediate results, and recommended to be given in the fall. Therefore, we will NOT be giving the CogAT test to any students in grades 2-4 this winter. This year students will continue to take the MAP test in the spring, and next fall all students in grade 3 with take the CogAT at the beginning of the school year. Students in grades 4 & 5 that are nominated by teachers and parents will also have the opportunity to retest with the CogAT in the fall. Results will determine placement in Gifted Education programs for the 2017-18 school year. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
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Previous Newsletters
Mrs. Haynes
Email: haynese@district279.org
Website: http://schools.district279.org/rl/
Phone: 763-420-4220
Twitter: @altoerin