Idea Program Interesting Dimensions that Extend Abilities Darien Public Schools ideaprogram.wordpress.com September 24th, 2015

Welcome Idea Parents ■ Characteristics of a gifted child ■ What is Idea? ■ DAEG ■ Questions

Curriculum Grades 1 & 2: Patterns/Language Grade 3: Innovations & Inventions Grade 4: All Things Greek Grade 5: Western Civilizations Grade 6: Future Worlds Grade 7:Time Grade 8: Philosophy Grade 9: Creativity/Project

Passion for Learning and Exploring

Intellectual Characteristics ■ Passion for learning ■ Rapid learning rate ■ Recognizes and understands abstractions ■ Exceptional reasoning ability ■ Powers of concentration ■ Vivid imagination

Logical Reasoning

Personality Characteristics ■ Insightfulness / sensitivity ■ Need to understand ■ Perfectionism ■ Intensity / perseverance ■ Acute self awareness ■ Questioning of rules / authority ■ Sense of humor

Need to Understand Questioning of Rules

Gifted Behavior ■ Insightfulness / sensitivity ■ Need to understand ■ Perfectionism Intensity / perseverance ■ Acute self awareness ■ Questioning of rules / authority ■ Passion for learning ■ Rapid learning rate ■ Recognizes and understands abstractions ■ Exceptional reasoning ability ■ Powers /concentration ■ Vivid imagination

Idea Program ■ Gifted students, in the Darien Public Schools, are those students in grades 1 through 9 who demonstrate or show potential for exceptional intellectual or specific academic capability. ■ They comprise 5 to 8% of the general student population and their needs cannot be met fully in the mainstream education environment.

CT State Board of Education Instruction for gifted is differentiated by: ➢ Faster pacing, greater depth and breadth ➢ Higher levels of abstractions and complexity ➢ Presentation at an earlier age

Idea Program Goals Foster awareness of and respect for intellectual potential. ➢ Asynchronous development ➢ Chameleon effect ➢ Underachievement

Perfectionism

Idea Program Goals Provide an opportunity for learning and exchange with intellectual peers. ➢ Development of communication and social skills ➢ Encourage intellectual risk-taking ➢ Provide a “safe” learning environment

Contact Information Joan Glass, B.A., M.A.T.

Promoting Excellence at Home* ■ clarity of rules and feedback ■ consistency of standards ■ family time for challenging activities ■ high degree of trust ■ a sense of security and commitment ■ constructive use of leisure time ■ *VanTassel-Baska. Joyce. Excellence in Educating Gifted and Talented Learners. Denver: Love Publishing Company, 1998.

■ Enjoy the journey!