Gifted Contact Meeting

Before I head off for summer, I am furiously planning dates for next year to be ready for our Gifted Handbook that goes out to schools in the fall.  

If you are one of the VSB gifted contacts, thank you for a fantastic year.  Your help and support for the students in your schools that may need gifted programming  is very important.

We have many wonderful things in store for next year!  The Contact Meeting, which is our initial meeting with all the teachers who will be our Contacts at the schools will take place on October 3rd, 2011. At this time, we will distribute our handbook and you will hear about all of our programs for the year; including Challenge Centres, Twice Exceptional Challenge Centres, the MACC program,  Mentorship, Future Problem Solving Programs, the GOLD program, the Transition Program, and other support that the Gifted Team can offer to students.

I look forward to seeing you there!  But not before we have some sunshine...

Gifted Contact Meeting

Before I head off for summer, I am furiously planning dates for next year to be ready for our Gifted Handbook that goes out to schools in the fall.  

If you are one of the VSB gifted contacts, thank you for a fantastic year.  Your help and support for the students in your schools that may need gifted programming  is very important.

We have many wonderful things in store for next year!  The Contact Meeting, which is our initial meeting with all the teachers who will be our Contacts at the schools will take place on October 3rd, 2011. At this time, we will distribute our handbook and you will hear about all of our programs for the year; including Challenge Centres, Twice Exceptional Challenge Centres, the MACC program,  Mentorship, Future Problem Solving Programs, the GOLD program, the Transition Program, and other support that the Gifted Team can offer to students.

I look forward to seeing you there!  But not before we have some sunshine...

The Impact of Dad

My Dad was my hero; I was his special daughter, and we were close.  He was the one who loved me unconditionally.  When you are loved like that, the world is a great place.  

In the days, we would watch the US Open on Father's Day weekend.  

Now that he is gone, I look to my own husband, and realize the impact he has on our family.  The moral compass.  The boys are watching, and learning all the time.  When they were young, I was the focus and Dad was there, but as they get older, they still need me, but they need their Father even more.  He is their role model.  How they approach the world is modeled by their Dad.  

So thank you Dad, for carrying the torch and passing down your ideals.  I think of you every day and miss you.   I just wish you could see the boys as they grow; you would be in awe of them...and you would get a huge "kick" out of their antics.  I tell them constantly about you!

Speaking of great Dads, check out this graduation speech by the Principal Gino Bondi at John Oliver Secondary...an exemplary Dad and Principal....a wonderful message for our students!

Cheers to the Dads in our lives, past and present!

The Impact of Dad

My Dad was my hero; I was his special daughter, and we were close.  He was the one who loved me unconditionally.  When you are loved like that, the world is a great place.  

In the days, we would watch the US Open on Father's Day weekend.  

Now that he is gone, I look to my own husband, and realize the impact he has on our family.  The moral compass.  The boys are watching, and learning all the time.  When they were young, I was the focus and Dad was there, but as they get older, they still need me, but they need their Father even more.  He is their role model.  How they approach the world is modeled by their Dad.  

So thank you Dad, for carrying the torch and passing down your ideals.  I think of you every day and miss you.   I just wish you could see the boys as they grow; you would be in awe of them...and you would get a huge "kick" out of their antics.  I tell them constantly about you!

Speaking of great Dads, check out this graduation speech by the Principal Gino Bondi at John Oliver Secondary...an exemplary Dad and Principal....a wonderful message for our students!

Cheers to the Dads in our lives, past and present!

Things that inspire me...

 One of the most important things about being a teacher is keeping inspired by life and keeping your program interesting and authentic.  I struggle to keep on top of new research in gifted education, regular education, and technology.  I find it really daunting.  However, I think it is important to share things that really inspire me. 

 Here is my son, after a paint splatter demonstration at 4 Cats Art Studio 
that a friend is opening.  The space is so inspirational.  We were invited to an afternoon of painting, sculpting, and my favourite - a Jackson Pollack inspired group paint!

 

I am inspired by art; I love teaching art, and I love learning about artists. Most importantly, I love students working with different materials and experiencing the feeling of art. 
I feel especially passionate about art because when I was a student I turned away from art as I couldn't make the connection with my teacher.  She scared me. At a point where I needed encouragement and inspiration, I was given none.  Now, I am not saying I was particularly talented in art, but what I needed was an inkling of encouragement or a hook to get me going.  But instead, I had too much else on the go, and so, I didn't take art again in high school.
(I wonder, how often does this happen to students....they just turn away from something that may not be easy, or doesn't grab them, or the teacher just doesn't seem to care...)

And so, I turned away from art classes.  In my day, there were no art classes for young kids.   You had art in preschool, you did art in elementary school once per week, and then, if you liked art, perhaps you would study it in high school.  

However, when I see the opportunities open to kids today to pursue art, learn about artists, and have the experience in working with different mediums, I am truly inspired.

Any art program for children, is wonderful!  I find it exciting and hopeful. 

Congratulations 4Cats Art Studio for making art available to children!  (And finally, a studio in my neighbourhood!)
    

Things that inspire me...

 One of the most important things about being a teacher is keeping inspired by life and keeping your program interesting and authentic.  I struggle to keep on top of new research in gifted education, regular education, and technology.  I find it really daunting.  However, I think it is important to share things that really inspire me. 

 Here is my son, after a paint splatter demonstration at 4 Cats Art Studio 
that a friend is opening.  The space is so inspirational.  We were invited to an afternoon of painting, sculpting, and my favourite - a Jackson Pollack inspired group paint!

 

I am inspired by art; I love teaching art, and I love learning about artists. Most importantly, I love students working with different materials and experiencing the feeling of art. 
I feel especially passionate about art because when I was a student I turned away from art as I couldn't make the connection with my teacher.  She scared me. At a point where I needed encouragement and inspiration, I was given none.  Now, I am not saying I was particularly talented in art, but what I needed was an inkling of encouragement or a hook to get me going.  But instead, I had too much else on the go, and so, I didn't take art again in high school.
(I wonder, how often does this happen to students....they just turn away from something that may not be easy, or doesn't grab them, or the teacher just doesn't seem to care...)

And so, I turned away from art classes.  In my day, there were no art classes for young kids.   You had art in preschool, you did art in elementary school once per week, and then, if you liked art, perhaps you would study it in high school.  

However, when I see the opportunities open to kids today to pursue art, learn about artists, and have the experience in working with different mediums, I am truly inspired.

Any art program for children, is wonderful!  I find it exciting and hopeful. 

Congratulations 4Cats Art Studio for making art available to children!  (And finally, a studio in my neighbourhood!)
    

Happy Times at the Challenge Centre

We ( the boys and I) are happy because school is almost over for another year, and I am busy planning next year's challenge centres!  Not that I don't love school, but I am looking forward to spending all my days with my two favourite people...my sons!  

One thing in the development for next year is a book club....I will meet with a group of readers once per month and share exciting literature. 

The new programs for the 2011-2012 school year will be posted here in a few weeks time.   Happy countdown to summer and I hope everyone enjoys the last few days of the school year!

Happy Times at the Challenge Centre

We ( the boys and I) are happy because school is almost over for another year, and I am busy planning next year's challenge centres!  Not that I don't love school, but I am looking forward to spending all my days with my two favourite people...my sons!  

One thing in the development for next year is a book club....I will meet with a group of readers once per month and share exciting literature. 

The new programs for the 2011-2012 school year will be posted here in a few weeks time.   Happy countdown to summer and I hope everyone enjoys the last few days of the school year!

Grade One Fairytale Adventures

 Last week I spent two days with wonderful grade ones.

 They created their own fairytales and designed backdrops....

 I love the way this group painted their backdrop....

 And this one....

 And this one......

 Other students created original stories

 Other students made puppets and acted out their stories...

 Here are a few puppet designs....

Fantastic examples of creativity, originality, and teamwork!  I really challenged the students by leaving this program really opened ended...I wanted to see how they would create their own fairytale and how they would put it together.  And, they all rose to the challenge, working together and creating exciting fairytales.  Thank you Grade Ones and I am looking forward to working with you next year!

Grade One Fairytale Adventures

 Last week I spent two days with wonderful grade ones.

 They created their own fairytales and designed backdrops....

 I love the way this group painted their backdrop....

 And this one....

 And this one......

 Other students created original stories

 Other students made puppets and acted out their stories...

 Here are a few puppet designs....

Fantastic examples of creativity, originality, and teamwork!  I really challenged the students by leaving this program really opened ended...I wanted to see how they would create their own fairytale and how they would put it together.  And, they all rose to the challenge, working together and creating exciting fairytales.  Thank you Grade Ones and I am looking forward to working with you next year!

Welcome to the Challenge Centre Grade Ones!!!

Welcome Grade Ones....I hope you had a great weekend; here is a cake made for all those deserving Canuck Fans that I won at a Carnival on the weekend!!!  My son was so happy to win this in the cake walk.  I can't wait to work with you tomorrow and create wonderful Fairytales!  I hope you have lots of ideas that you will share with me tomorrow....

Welcome to the Challenge Centre Grade Ones!!!

Welcome Grade Ones....I hope you had a great weekend; here is a cake made for all those deserving Canuck Fans that I won at a Carnival on the weekend!!!  My son was so happy to win this in the cake walk.  I can't wait to work with you tomorrow and create wonderful Fairytales!  I hope you have lots of ideas that you will share with me tomorrow....

Grade Two Artists

Thank you wonderful grade two's for working with me on poetry (concrete poems, rhyming poems, alliteration, and free verse), and creating these wonderful still life flower masterpieces.
I hope to work with you again in the future.  Keep writing and exploring Art and Poetry!!!