The first program I am offering in the 2011-12 school year is called "The Write Stuff" and I am pulling in some fantastic writers in grades 3 and 4. This is a pre-selected group of students. The program will be about narrative writing, and is geared towards students that have shown some interest or talent in the written word. Basically, these students love to write!The Write Stuff September 19, 20, 27/ 2011In this program, we will study how to be a good writer; we will talk about good writers we like to read. We will look at:- how to develop characters in a story
- how to come up with a problem in a story
- how to pace our story and come up with an outline or direction for the story
- how to capture the reader in the introduction (good beginnings)
- how to use dialogue
- strategies to keep writing at home and in school and continue with our writing passion
As this is only a three day program, students will be working on a story or short novel. What is the purpose of the program?1. To have students who are good writers, meet with other like minded writers to share ideas and get inspired.2. To learn more about writing in a program where I can focus on their skills and needs in a more intense and specific manner. 3. To have students go back to their school environment with a new focus on writing. I can't wait to meet the students in September, and if you are one of the students coming to program, I hope you are enjoying your summer! See you soon!
The first program I am offering in the 2011-12 school year is called "The Write Stuff" and I am pulling in some fantastic writers in grades 3 and 4. This is a pre-selected group of students.
The program will be about narrative writing, and is geared towards students that have shown some interest or talent in the written word. Basically, these students love to write!
The Write Stuff September 19, 20, 27/ 2011
In this program, we will study how to be a good writer; we will talk about good writers we like to read. We will look at:
- how to develop characters in a story
- how to come up with a problem in a story
- how to pace our story and come up with an outline or direction for the story
- how to capture the reader in the introduction (good beginnings)
- how to use dialogue
- strategies to keep writing at home and in school and continue with our writing passion
As this is only a three day program, students will be working on a story or short novel.
What is the purpose of the program?
1. To have students who are good writers, meet with other like minded writers to share ideas and get inspired.
2. To learn more about writing in a program where I can focus on their skills and needs in a more intense and specific manner.
3. To have students go back to their school environment with a new focus on writing.
I can't wait to meet the students in September, and if you are one of the students coming to program, I hope you are enjoying your summer! See you soon!
I always try to keep up with what is going on the United States in terms of gifted education and talent development. I find it hard to keep abreast of everything, as there are so many talented educators and researchers in gifted education south of the border. Today, I was reading about the Talent Act on the website The National Associaton for Gifted Children. I think this is very interesting that there is a focus on new federal policy that looks at the needs of gifted students. I find the statement below, in the introduction of the Talent Act, an interesting comment on what has been happening in education: "Unfortunately, a lack of federal investment in this population means that availability and access to these services depends solely on state and local funds, which is highly variable and unpredictable. This underinvestment in excellence is exacerbated by the singular focus on low-performing students under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and has resulted in a new achievement gap—the gap between minority and economically disadvantaged students who are gifted and talented and their more advantaged, high-ability peers."
Similarly in Canada, we have underinvestment in gifted education. My fear is that if we do not provide publicly funded programs for gifted students, they will leave for the private system if they can afford to pay for it...creating a two tier education system in our province. But what if you are a parent and can't afford a private school education? And, attending a private school doesn't ensure that the needs of the gifted are being addressed!
Since education is a provincial jurisdiction in Canada, each province has policy concerning the gifted. Do you know what policies your province or jurisdiction has with regards to gifted students? Are you aware of how this funding is allocated in your district?
I always try to keep up with what is going on the United States in terms of gifted education and talent development. I find it hard to keep abreast of everything, as there are so many talented educators and researchers in gifted education south of the border. Today, I was reading about the Talent Act on the website The National Associaton for Gifted Children. I think this is very interesting that there is a focus on new federal policy that looks at the needs of gifted students.
I find the statement below, in the introduction of the Talent Act, an interesting comment on what has been happening in education: "Unfortunately, a lack of federal investment in this population means that availability and access to these services depends solely on state and local funds, which is highly variable and unpredictable. This underinvestment in excellence is exacerbated by the singular focus on low-performing students under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and has resulted in a new achievement gap—the gap between minority and economically disadvantaged students who are gifted and talented and their more advantaged, high-ability peers."
Similarly in Canada, we have underinvestment in gifted education. My fear is that if we do not provide publicly funded programs for gifted students, they will leave for the private system if they can afford to pay for it...creating a two tier education system in our province.
But what if you are a parent and can't afford a private school education? And, attending a private school doesn't ensure that the needs of the gifted are being addressed!
Since education is a provincial jurisdiction in Canada, each province has policy concerning the gifted. Do you know what policies your province or jurisdiction has with regards to gifted students? Are you aware of how this funding is allocated in your district?
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! I am having a great time: I just purchased a Kindle and I am reading lots for my own enjoyment. I would love to know how people feel about ereaders. I just do not have room in my home for another book! That said, I really feel passionate about students having real paper books to read, and most of the books my kids finish end up in the classroom. As well, I have been figuring out programs for next year and I have just listed the 2011-12 Challenge Centre Programs on this blog. I am going to give more information about each program and what I am looking for in the students so that there can be a match between the needs of the student and the program. This will be forthcoming over the next month!Have a wonderful August and I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! I am having a great time: I just purchased a Kindle and I am reading lots for my own enjoyment.
I would love to know how people feel about ereaders. I just do not have room in my home for another book! That said, I really feel passionate about students having real paper books to read, and most of the books my kids finish end up in the classroom.
As well, I have been figuring out programs for next year and I have just listed the 2011-12 Challenge Centre Programs on this blog. I am going to give more information about each program and what I am looking for in the students so that there can be a match between the needs of the student and the program. This will be forthcoming over the next month!
Have a wonderful August and I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
