Gifted Challenge Summer Program applications are available

Summer may seem like a long way off, but it is just around the corner if you are interested in applying for our Gifted/Challenge Summer Program.  

The Student Application Package has been sent out to schools, and parents can also download an application from the VSB website; you need to click on programs and then you will see the icon at the top of the page.  Here's the information about gifted summer school.

Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis, so get your application in early, before the programs fill.  There are lots of exciting course offerings, and I encourage parents and teachers to refer students who are interested! As well, you do not need to be a student in a Vancouver school but you should have a PEN number.

This program is run through Continuing Education and is not affiliated with the programs that are offered at the Challenge Centre during the school year...so I can not answer any questions about specifics, however, if you need more information, you can email the director at:  gifted@vsb.bc.ca

I encourage as many students as possible to enroll and take part in this great summer opportunity!

Gifted Challenge Summer Program applications are available

Summer may seem like a long way off, but it is just around the corner if you are interested in applying for our Gifted/Challenge Summer Program.  

The Student Application Package has been sent out to schools, and parents can also download an application from the VSB website; you need to click on programs and then you will see the icon at the top of the page.  Here's the information about gifted summer school.

Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis, so get your application in early, before the programs fill.  There are lots of exciting course offerings, and I encourage parents and teachers to refer students who are interested! As well, you do not need to be a student in a Vancouver school but you should have a PEN number.

This program is run through Continuing Education and is not affiliated with the programs that are offered at the Challenge Centre during the school year...so I can not answer any questions about specifics, however, if you need more information, you can email the director at:  gifted@vsb.bc.ca

I encourage as many students as possible to enroll and take part in this great summer opportunity!

Personal Interest Projects...next Challenge Centre!!!

Our next unit of study is called "Personal Interest Projects".  Students will be invited to create their own projects on an area of interest.  The project does not have to be about a famous or eminent person, but instead, about an area of interest.  Students will create a learning station about their topic and share this with the rest of the group.  

I am excited to learn about the projects and ideas the students will bring forth.  See you soon!

Personal Interest Projects...next Challenge Centre!!!

Our next unit of study is called "Personal Interest Projects".  Students will be invited to create their own projects on an area of interest.  The project does not have to be about a famous or eminent person, but instead, about an area of interest.  Students will create a learning station about their topic and share this with the rest of the group.  

I am excited to learn about the projects and ideas the students will bring forth.  See you soon!

The Mind Up Curriculum

I have the pleasure of knowing two fantastic teachers in the Vancouver School Board who are responsible for developing, promoting, teaching, and living the MIND UP curriculum, which started in our city!!!!!!

This curriculum is important for all children, and very important for gifted students who are often intense, "in their head" learners, who often have a million things on the go.....extra-curricular activities, clubs, sports, music lessons, after school enrichment or training.......you name it; they do it!!!

If you are a teacher, this is a valuable resource and a means to get your students focused, mindful, and resilient.  As the introduction states, "MindUp is a comprehensive, classroom-tested, evidence-based curriculum framed around 15 easily implemented lessons that foster social and emotional awareness, enhance psychological well-being, and promote academic success."

I love this program, and I have used strategies from it in the challenge centre, although it is best used in a full time classroom environment, or if you work with students on a regular basis over the course of a school year (I see students for 2-4 days, so it is more challenging for me to use it regularly).

The program teaches us how the brain works, mindful awareness, goes into sharpening our senses, moves onto perspective taking, being optimistic, and finally, brings us to finding gratitude in our lives, and taking mindful action into the world.  It is beautifully pulled together, and is backed by brain research.

For teachers and parents, this is a valuable tool to use with gifted students and many ideas can be used at home as well. For example,  I teach my own children about mindful breathing and we have also used the strategies for perspective taking.

In Canada, you can order the resource from Scholastic Canada, and it is available in three levels:  Grades Pre K-2; Grades 3-5; and Grades 6-8.  There is also training for teachers (offered through the VSB), and hopefully, there will be parent workshops in the future.

The Mind Up Curriculum

I have the pleasure of knowing two fantastic teachers in the Vancouver School Board who are responsible for developing, promoting, teaching, and living the MIND UP curriculum, which started in our city!!!!!!

This curriculum is important for all children, and very important for gifted students who are often intense, "in their head" learners, who often have a million things on the go.....extra-curricular activities, clubs, sports, music lessons, after school enrichment or training.......you name it; they do it!!!

If you are a teacher, this is a valuable resource and a means to get your students focused, mindful, and resilient.  As the introduction states, "MindUp is a comprehensive, classroom-tested, evidence-based curriculum framed around 15 easily implemented lessons that foster social and emotional awareness, enhance psychological well-being, and promote academic success."

I love this program, and I have used strategies from it in the challenge centre, although it is best used in a full time classroom environment, or if you work with students on a regular basis over the course of a school year (I see students for 2-4 days, so it is more challenging for me to use it regularly).

The program teaches us how the brain works, mindful awareness, goes into sharpening our senses, moves onto perspective taking, being optimistic, and finally, brings us to finding gratitude in our lives, and taking mindful action into the world.  It is beautifully pulled together, and is backed by brain research.

For teachers and parents, this is a valuable tool to use with gifted students and many ideas can be used at home as well. For example,  I teach my own children about mindful breathing and we have also used the strategies for perspective taking.

In Canada, you can order the resource from Scholastic Canada, and it is available in three levels:  Grades Pre K-2; Grades 3-5; and Grades 6-8.  There is also training for teachers (offered through the VSB), and hopefully, there will be parent workshops in the future.