WELCOME!

FIRST & SECOND GRADE

G/T PARENT MEETING

Monday, November 17th, 2014Encino Park Room 1150

Mrs. Amy Chandler

HOW DID MY CHILD QUALIFY FOR G/T?

Children’s skills in the following areas were assessed:

Logical, mathematical reasoningVisual, spatial reasoningVerbal and figural skillsAcademic aptitude

GT students scored higher than 90% of their age peers on a majority of our testing measures.

WHEN DOES MY CHILD ATTEND GT?

Second Grade – Mondays,12:00-2:30First Grade – Mondays & Fridays, 9:45-11:00

G/T students remain with homeroom class in the case of a special event such as a field trip or class party.

WHAT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES DOES MY CHILD WORK ON IN GT?

Developing thinking and reasoning skills

Supporting ideas and opinions

Recognizing and valuing opposing viewpoints

Accepting ambiguity

CONVERGENT THINKING Develop logical thinking by learning to:Find and organize cluesTake time for reflection (don’t jump to conclusions)Put clues togetherDetermine the ONE right answer

Example: Logic Puzzles

DIVERGENT THINKING

Develop creative thinking by recognizing that:The more ideas the better!

Changing categories is great

Wild and zany ideas are welcome

Ideas shouldn’t be judged

Piggybacking on the ideas of others is cool.

BRAINSTORMING

What do you see?

An airplane flying over a mountain

The top of a beanie

A grumpy face

VISUAL THINKINGDevelop spatial reasoning by:Looking at things in different ways

Using what is seen as clues

Moving shapes around in your mind

Recognizing patterns

HOW CAN YOU USE 3 POPSICLE STICKS TO DIVIDE EACH FIGURE INTO AN AREA BY ITSELF?

EVALUATIVE THINKING Example-

What kind of birthday party should I have?

How many people do I want to invite?

How much money can I spend?

When is the best time to have my party?

What will be the most fun?

Putting the other thinking skills to practical purposes:Determining the problem

Brainstorming possible solutions

Developing criteriaJudging the best answer

SIX HAT THINKING

Builds a foundation for problem solving program used in grades 3-5.

Gives students an opportunity to consider points of view, consequences of actions, and to explore a variety of potential solutions.

DEPTH & COMPLEXITY11 icons or pictures that help students dive deeper into the curriculum or specific topicHelps guide students’ thinking. Adds rigor and relevance.

WONDERS – 1ST GRADE

Phineas FrogAll over the world cultural connections contain similarities and differences.

Wonders of the WorldGeographyOther Cultures

STRUCTURES – 2ND GRADE Natural and Manmade structures in the worldWhat is a structure?What gives a structure strength?

What similarities and differences are there in structures made my man and those found in nature?

TECHNOLOGY It is my goal to teach the G/T students how to be safe consumers and contributors in our digital world.  An emphasis is placed on personal safety and responsibility both as a user and a creator of internet products.  

I know the students are very excited to use these learning tools.  

I would like your permission to include your child in these experiences to help them create a positive digital footprint.

If your child does not have Media Permission and you would like to have them included in these experiences, it will need to be changed to a “Y” in Parent Portal under “Media Releases”.

Agreeing to this permission will allow your child’s photo/video, name, and/or work to appear on our school webpage as well as individual teacher webpages, classroom blogs, and class newsletters.  

In all cases, your child, if identified by name, will be identified by first name and initial of last name ONLY.

FUTURE YEARS IN GTNEISD has 3 GT programs: K-2, 3-5, and secondary.A student in GT in kinder or 1st grade will continue to remain in GT through the end of 2nd grade with no additional testing.At the end of 2nd grade all GT students are exited from the program and must be retested at the beginning of 3rd grade. Not all 2nd grade GT students will qualify as 3rd graders. All students in that were in GT previously will be retested. The qualification standard is higher in the 3-5 Program. Any student with an InView score at or above the 95th percentile will be tested at the beginning of 3rd grade for the 3-5 program.

STUDENT PROGRESS & REPORT CARDSHow will I check my child’s progress? Work sent home.Report Cards: Each grade level receives a G/T report card. They will go home- 2 times for 2nd grade (January and May)1 time for 1st grade (May)

WEBSITE

Please visit my website and blog with your child.

Many of the online resources we use in class are posted there.

I also have a variety of games and activities that the children enjoy under “Links” on my teacher webpage.

WISH LIST We are always in need of…Glue sticks – our most needed supply!Ziploc bags (gallon and/or sandwich, quart) Oil Pastels or Chalk PastelsBlack Sharpie markers (regular and fine point)Another ideas – gift cards for supplies: HEB, Amazon, Target, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Half Price Books.

Thank you for your help!

CONTACT INFOFeel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns. Email is the best way to get in contact with me.

My email address is achand4@neisd.net

Our GT classroom blog: http://blogs.neisd.net/achand4/Follow us on Twitter! @EncinoGT