Welcome, GATE parents! Amy Cochren Language Arts 7 Foreign Language 6 Thurston GATE coordinator

AGENDA 1) GATE goals 2007 and ) Communication efforts 3) GATE characteristics 4) Differentiated instruction 5) Clubs 6) Competitions 7) Field trips 8) Goal setting process and the ILP

GOALS Promote dedication, desire, discipline Promote dedication, desire, discipline Communicate current clubs, activities, and differentiation in 6 week newsletter/blog Communicate current clubs, activities, and differentiation in 6 week newsletter/blog Encourage parents and teachers to sponsor clubs, competitions, or events to meet diverse needs Encourage parents and teachers to sponsor clubs, competitions, or events to meet diverse needs Offer incentives for participation Offer incentives for participation

Communication Thurston Website Thurston Website Teacher blogs Teacher blogs GATE blog GATE blog Six week newsletters Six week newsletters PACE phone calls PACE phone calls ILP conference ILP conference Aeries Aeries

Characteristics of a gifted child Strong problem-solving ability Strong problem-solving ability High degree of creativity High degree of creativity Keen sense of humor Keen sense of humor Possesses a large store of info on a variety of topics Possesses a large store of info on a variety of topics Insatiable curiosity or persistence Insatiable curiosity or persistence Preference of older companions Preference of older companions

Characteristics of a gifted child Demonstration of intense emotional or physical sensitivity Demonstration of intense emotional or physical sensitivity Rapid learning without repetition Rapid learning without repetition Perfectionism Perfectionism Passionate in interest areas Passionate in interest areas Desire to question authority Desire to question authority Possesses a strong sense of justice Possesses a strong sense of justice Usage of advanced vocabulary Usage of advanced vocabulary

Effective teachers of GATE Passion for learning that is modeled Passion for learning that is modeled Genuine concern for and enjoyment of teaching gifted learners Genuine concern for and enjoyment of teaching gifted learners Respect for individual differences and tolerant of divergent behaviors Respect for individual differences and tolerant of divergent behaviors A willingness to be a risk taker A willingness to be a risk taker A flexibility and openness A flexibility and openness

Effective teachers of GATE Sense of humor Sense of humor Secure sense of self Secure sense of self A willingness to place the childs needs above bureaucratic demands A willingness to place the childs needs above bureaucratic demands

Math Instruction Ms. Stacy Quirarte Ms. Stacy Quirarte Algebra Algebra Geometry Geometry Advanced curriculum Advanced curriculum

Language Arts Cluster grouping Cluster grouping Vocabulary Power Plus Vocabulary Power Plus Mythology Olympiad Competition Mythology Olympiad Competition Suggested reading Suggested reading Independent reading choices Independent reading choices Above and Beyond Challenges Above and Beyond Challenges Scripps Spelling Bee, Shakespeare Club, Scripps Spelling Bee, Shakespeare Club, Creative Writing Club, A Christmas Carol Creative Writing Club, A Christmas Carol

Differentiated Instruction Multiple intelligences within the classroom Multiple intelligences within the classroom Questioning techniques Questioning techniques Challenges Challenges Project or reading options Project or reading options District offers professional development opportunities for GATE teachers District offers professional development opportunities for GATE teachers

Electives Foreign language wheel Foreign language wheel Spanish and French for high school credit Spanish and French for high school credit Math for high school credit Math for high school credit Drama Drama Music Music Physical education Physical education Multi-media Multi-media Leadership Leadership

Clubs Shakespeare Shakespeare Scripps Spelling Bee Scripps Spelling Bee Vocabulary Power Plus Vocabulary Power Plus Above and Beyond Above and Beyond Chess Chess Anime Anime Sign language club Sign language club

Clubs Jogging Jogging Weight training Weight training Spanish and French Spanish and French Sign language Sign language

Competitions Spelling Bee Spelling Bee Short Story Contest Short Story Contest Persuasive Writing Contest Persuasive Writing Contest Mythology Olympiad Mythology Olympiad Geography Bee Geography Bee Science Olympiad Science Olympiad Math Stars Math Stars

Field trips Ten or more students needed Ten or more students needed Parent volunteers needed Parent volunteers needed suggestions! suggestions! A Christmas Carol at South Coast date of November 25 th at 4:00 pm A Christmas Carol at South Coast date of November 25 th at 4:00 pm Knotts Berry Farm Physics Day tentative date of March 6 th Knotts Berry Farm Physics Day tentative date of March 6 th Griffith Planetarium? Griffith Planetarium?

Field trips Mr. Dixon and Spanish Club Mr. Dixon and Spanish Club Ms. Beckleysouth of France Ms. Beckleysouth of France Mrs. CochrenParis, Florence, Rome Mrs. CochrenParis, Florence, Rome Mrs. MartinezWorld War II trip Mrs. MartinezWorld War II trip Mr. DresslerBroadway tour Mr. DresslerBroadway tour

Watch the blog and newsletter! Advance notice of the 6 week offerings on Thurston campus Advance notice of the 6 week offerings on Thurston campus Interest deadlines are important! Interest deadlines are important! Minimum of 10 participants for activities to be offered Minimum of 10 participants for activities to be offered PACE phone calls will remind you of new postings and newsletter distribution. PACE phone calls will remind you of new postings and newsletter distribution.

Goal Setting Students will receive instructions next week! Students will receive instructions next week! Return of form by deadline = pizza party! Return of form by deadline = pizza party! Deadline is November 1 st ! Please return ASAP! Deadline is November 1 st ! Please return ASAP! IEP and GATE ASSESSMENT form is all that is needed IEP and GATE ASSESSMENT form is all that is needed Return to the office or to Mrs.C Return to the office or to Mrs.C

IEP process Student selects the math or language arts teacher for the conference Student selects the math or language arts teacher for the conference Teacher will review goals and make suggestions. Teacher will review goals and make suggestions. Copy of the form will be mailed to you. Copy of the form will be mailed to you. Parents may schedule an appointment (if desired) for a meeting or a follow-up Parents may schedule an appointment (if desired) for a meeting or a follow-up

Volunteer! Do you have a talent or special skill? Do you have a talent or special skill? Do you know a good guest speaker? Do you know a good guest speaker? Do you have ideas for competitions, activities, or field trips? Do you have ideas for competitions, activities, or field trips? Parents may lead clubs with a teacher sponsor. Parents may lead clubs with a teacher sponsor. Would you like to help with a trip, competition, or event? Would you like to help with a trip, competition, or event?