Welcome back from Spring Break. I hope parents, teachers, and students had a restful and rewarding vacation. We are heading into term three with the following programs:1. The Future is Wild Gr. 4/5 April 1, 2 8, 9 / 2014
2. Creative Think Tank Gr. 3 April 14, 15, 16/ 2014
3. Engineering Gr. 4/5 April 22, 23, 29, 30/ 2014
4. Young Scientists Gr. 2/3 May 5, 6, 7/ 2014
5. Math Explorations Gr. 2/3 May 12, 13, 14/ 2014
6. Adventures in Storytelling Gr. 2/3 May 20, 21/ 2014
7. Writing Adventures Gr. 2/3 May 27, 28/ 2014
8. Young Scientists Gr. 1 May 27, 28/ 2014
WE have a few new announcements to make: referrals for programs will be due on May 15, 2014. We are sending out the information about programs for next year, over the next week. We are giving teachers the opportunity to put students forward for programs for next year, based on their knowledge in working with students over the course of this year. We will be placing students in programs in June and letting schools know about placement early in September.
Good luck to everyone in the final term of the school year!
As we head into summer and I plan the programs for next year, I realize the need for change...the need to revamp our practices. Here is how my ideas are shaping up:
1. Create one or two deadlines for all programs (instead of 14 different deadlines) in the fall and in February for this year, as a pilot year. Then, have a deadline for June for all programs for the proceeding year.2. Use a team approach to view selected applicants and decide upon placement, based on criteria: need, school, servicing levels, designation.
3. Make schools aware of servicing levels: because of the amount of time allocated for the challenge centre, schools should expect a student to be in the challenge centre 1-2 times throughout their elementary years.
4. Provide for quick feedback to schools, with extensions and opportunities for further growth.
This is a great deal to deal with but programs for next year will be planned with this in mind. I will start the year by seeing groups of students that I was not able to accommodate this year: a writing group and a critical thinking group.Some of the programs I am planning are: math challenges, Shakespeare, the art of thinking, and maybe something to do with geography (kids have no geography sense or understanding of the world...just need to figure out how to make it high level!)
No matter what you do, and where you are, there is always a team. We are social beings, and we are meant to be together and to work with others. I am fortunate to work with a great TEAM in gifted education! Although I have not blogged about the team and their programs, I want to tell you that I do not work alone, and although I write about what I do, it is only a small fraction of our services in the Vancouver Board of Education. Over the year, I will introduce you to these fantastic educators and the programs and services that they deliver....but right now, I want to give you a taste of programs, just so you know what is available.
We have challenge centres, and a future problem solving program, a mentorship program, consultative services for twice exceptional learners, as well as challenge centre programs for 2E students (gifted learning disabled and gifted emotionally fragile students are now called twice exceptional which is more inclusive and positive!), full time classes (multi-age cluster classes grades 4-7) for highly gifted students, and a variety of high school options, but in particular, the Transition Program at UBC, and the GOLD program for our Twice Exceptional secondary students.
Although this seems like a great deal of services, there is always wait-lists for our programs, and we are continually trying to be innovative to meet the demands of our gifted and talented population.
If you are a Vancouver teacher and/or a gifted contact for your school, I invite you to our Contact Meeting, which will take place Monday October 3rd, at the Board of Education. At this meeting, you will find out about our programs, meet the team, get our handbook for schools, and learn how to access our programs. As well, if you have any questions, we will be there to answer them! Please note, this is a workshop meant for teachers, organized by teachers, and the information is to help teachers with students in their schools. If you are a parent, you may want to know how to access these programs and services, and your child's school will help you with this. As well, I would like to offer workshops in the future for parents, but there will be more about this in the future, so stay tuned!Teachers, I hope to see you there!
No matter what you do, and where you are, there is always a team. We are social beings, and we are meant to be together and to work with others.
I am fortunate to work with a great TEAM in gifted education! Although I have not blogged about the team and their programs, I want to tell you that I do not work alone, and although I write about what I do, it is only a small fraction of our services in the Vancouver Board of Education.
Over the year, I will introduce you to these fantastic educators and the programs and services that they deliver....but right now, I want to give you a taste of programs, just so you know what is available.
We have challenge centres, and a future problem solving program, a mentorship program, consultative services for twice exceptional learners, as well as challenge centre programs for 2E students (gifted learning disabled and gifted emotionally fragile students are now called twice exceptional which is more inclusive and positive!), full time classes (multi-age cluster classes grades 4-7) for highly gifted students, and a variety of high school options, but in particular, the Transition Program at UBC, and the GOLD program for our Twice Exceptional secondary students.
Although this seems like a great deal of services, there is always wait-lists for our programs, and we are continually trying to be innovative to meet the demands of our gifted and talented population.
If you are a Vancouver teacher and/or a gifted contact for your school, I invite you to our Contact Meeting, which will take place Monday October 3rd, at the Board of Education. At this meeting, you will find out about our programs, meet the team, get our handbook for schools, and learn how to access our programs. As well, if you have any questions, we will be there to answer them!
Please note, this is a workshop meant for teachers, organized by teachers, and the information is to help teachers with students in their schools.
If you are a parent, you may want to know how to access these programs and services, and your child's school will help you with this. As well, I would like to offer workshops in the future for parents, but there will be more about this in the future, so stay tuned!
Teachers, I hope to see you there!
I am grateful that my sons' have had such fantastic teachers at their school. I do love this idea from Bruno's teacher. At the parent teacher night, she made a little bag filled with small items, with a note that explained what each item represents. I would love to make my own "Reminder Bag" with a class, if I ever go back to teaching a class. This note reminds me of why we do our job and our mission as teachers to care for and support our community. (Note: there is a religious message in the note above, as our sons' attend a Catholic school, however, depending on where and what you teach, you can frame your message any way you like!)What would you put in your reminder bag?
I am grateful that my sons' have had such fantastic teachers at their school.
I do love this idea from Bruno's teacher. At the parent teacher night, she made a little bag filled with small items, with a note that explained what each item represents. I would love to make my own "Reminder Bag" with a class, if I ever go back to teaching a class. This note reminds me of why we do our job and our mission as teachers to care for and support our community. (Note: there is a religious message in the note above, as our sons' attend a Catholic school, however, depending on where and what you teach, you can frame your message any way you like!)
What would you put in your reminder bag?
There are many ways to get the children ready for school. Right now the stores are packed with parents buying school clothes, knap sacks, lunch boxes, school supplies, and computers to aid their children in learning.
What should you do to get your child ready for school?Look ahead with the year in mind! You can either have a family meeting, depending upon your child's age, or you can think about the following ideas, and plan accordingly.I reflect upon the year ahead of us with the family. Since my sons are old enough, we have a meeting that includes their ideas. A Family Meeting! These are the things we address.1. Appropriate bed time. For all students, this is so IMPORTANT. Students need more than 8 hours of sleep; students need 10-12 hours. We talk about a firm bed time, and then we count backwards: bath or shower time, reading before bed, and we chose a time to start the bedtime process. Ours usually begins at 7:30 pm with lights out at 8:30 (I have a 10 year old and an 8 year old). I give them an hour, to leave time to have our bed time discussions....do you like this book I am reading to you? What was the good thing about your day at school? Was there anything that made you laugh? Bedtime discussions are my "check in" times with my kids. Usually they are quieter and calmer, and are ready to talk about their day.
2. School routines. If you do not know your child's school schedule, that is okay, but it is important to figure out all the necessary things like how the kids get to school, who picks them up, do they have to take a lunch, and so forth. You need to establish a wake up time, how breakfast will be organized, the packing of knapsacks, lunches, is it a Physical Education day and the kids need appropriate attire? Is there a fieldtrip? Are any notices due? It can be extremely overwhelming, but it is good to establish who does what and when.For example, this year, my kids are responsible for: 1. homework done2. knapsacks packed3. coats and shoes ready4. teeth brushed5. knowledge of whether or not they need to bring gym strip that day, and have it packed in knapsack. My husband or I will make breakfast and their lunches, but our goal for our sons is to learn to be more independent and responsible.
Now, if you have younger children, you will have to figure out and plan "getting ready" for school. Thinking through it all, and having a plan makes the mornings much more easy and smooth. 3. Computers, social media, gaming systems. As the year begins, make decisions about television time, computer use, and gaming time. Will you allow television during the week? How about surfing the web....is there a time limit? Or Playstation or DS or Wii? Can your child play these games during the week?
It is important to have clear guidelines from the beginning. For our family, we don't have cable (yah!!!) so we don't have the TV to worry about, but we have Netflix and Apple TV, so our goal is to establish if and when there is any movie watching during the week.
As well, with computer use, establish if you will allow this and when. What can your kids view? Where is the computer and are there parental controls? For our family, the rule is that the computer is in a room with adult supervision, and we allow a bit of free time after homework is done. We haven't put any parental controls on our computers, as we are experimenting with the kids deciding what is appropriate or not, and having conversations about this.
Finally, with gaming systems, establish when or if your child will be able to use during the week. With the Playstation, we don't allow gaming during the school week; only on Friday afternoon and Saturday after we have outdoor and personal interactive time. 4. Homework. Some students have it and others don't. My kids have homework usually Mon-Thurs. I have them do their homework after school before dinner. Usually they come home, have a snack, and read for 30 minutes, and then begin their homework. Reading is mandatory, so either it is done after school or before bed.Having set routines and guidelines established will help avoid arguments, and will let your child know that there are clear expectations for learning and how the school year will unfold.
There are many ways to get the children ready for school. Right now the stores are packed with parents buying school clothes, knap sacks, lunch boxes, school supplies, and computers to aid their children in learning.
What should you do to get your child ready for school?
Look ahead with the year in mind! You can either have a family meeting, depending upon your child's age, or you can think about the following ideas, and plan accordingly.
I reflect upon the year ahead of us with the family. Since my sons are old enough, we have a meeting that includes their ideas. A Family Meeting! These are the things we address.
1. Appropriate bed time. For all students, this is so IMPORTANT. Students need more than 8 hours of sleep; students need 10-12 hours. We talk about a firm bed time, and then we count backwards: bath or shower time, reading before bed, and we chose a time to start the bedtime process. Ours usually begins at 7:30 pm with lights out at 8:30 (I have a 10 year old and an 8 year old). I give them an hour, to leave time to have our bed time discussions....do you like this book I am reading to you? What was the good thing about your day at school? Was there anything that made you laugh? Bedtime discussions are my "check in" times with my kids. Usually they are quieter and calmer, and are ready to talk about their day.
2. School routines. If you do not know your child's school schedule, that is okay, but it is important to figure out all the necessary things like how the kids get to school, who picks them up, do they have to take a lunch, and so forth. You need to establish a wake up time, how breakfast will be organized, the packing of knapsacks, lunches, is it a Physical Education day and the kids need appropriate attire? Is there a fieldtrip? Are any notices due? It can be extremely overwhelming, but it is good to establish who does what and when.
For example, this year, my kids are responsible for:
1. homework done
2. knapsacks packed
3. coats and shoes ready
4. teeth brushed
5. knowledge of whether or not they need to bring gym strip that day, and have it packed in knapsack.
My husband or I will make breakfast and their lunches, but our goal for our sons is to learn to be more independent and responsible.
Now, if you have younger children, you will have to figure out and plan "getting ready" for school. Thinking through it all, and having a plan makes the mornings much more easy and smooth.
3. Computers, social media, gaming systems. As the year begins, make decisions about television time, computer use, and gaming time. Will you allow television during the week? How about surfing the web....is there a time limit? Or Playstation or DS or Wii? Can your child play these games during the week?
It is important to have clear guidelines from the beginning. For our family, we don't have cable (yah!!!) so we don't have the TV to worry about, but we have Netflix and Apple TV, so our goal is to establish if and when there is any movie watching during the week.
As well, with computer use, establish if you will allow this and when. What can your kids view? Where is the computer and are there parental controls? For our family, the rule is that the computer is in a room with adult supervision, and we allow a bit of free time after homework is done. We haven't put any parental controls on our computers, as we are experimenting with the kids deciding what is appropriate or not, and having conversations about this.
Finally, with gaming systems, establish when or if your child will be able to use during the week. With the Playstation, we don't allow gaming during the school week; only on Friday afternoon and Saturday after we have outdoor and personal interactive time.
4. Homework. Some students have it and others don't. My kids have homework usually Mon-Thurs. I have them do their homework after school before dinner. Usually they come home, have a snack, and read for 30 minutes, and then begin their homework. Reading is mandatory, so either it is done after school or before bed.
Having set routines and guidelines established will help avoid arguments, and will let your child know that there are clear expectations for learning and how the school year will unfold.
