Welcome to Term Three

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!

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!

Fixed Mind Set vs. Growth Mind Set

I have just been looking at this great poster that I downloaded about "Fixed and Growth Mind Sets".  There has been a great deal of research and writing about this concept over the last few years, and here is an interesting article in the NY times magazine about the research of Carol Dweck and her book.

Lately, I have been talking about this with my sons and using the language that  we have a "growth mindset". This poster

is on my fridge.   Yesterday we were talking about challenges, persisting in the face of roadblocks, and using effort as the path towards mastery.  My one son is involved in ski racing, and he is just beginning to learn about being in a competitive sport with lots of talented athletes.  So we used this chart to talk about how to persevere when things may not be going our way.  It was great to have the visuals and the language to discuss how we can think about set backs and challenges in our lives and in our learning.   

I would like to use this as a topic of discussion with students in the challenge centre.  It would be interesting to have students talk about their own mind sets.  If we can empower students to understand how their intelligence can be developed, then we are giving them tools for life.

As well, I have Carol Dweck's book on my reading list!

Fixed Mind Set vs. Growth Mind Set

I have just been looking at this great poster that I downloaded about "Fixed and Growth Mind Sets".  There has been a great deal of research and writing about this concept over the last few years, and here is an interesting article in the NY times magazine about the research of Carol Dweck and her book.

Lately, I have been talking about this with my sons and using the language that  we have a "growth mindset". This poster

is on my fridge.   Yesterday we were talking about challenges, persisting in the face of roadblocks, and using effort as the path towards mastery.  My one son is involved in ski racing, and he is just beginning to learn about being in a competitive sport with lots of talented athletes.  So we used this chart to talk about how to persevere when things may not be going our way.  It was great to have the visuals and the language to discuss how we can think about set backs and challenges in our lives and in our learning.   

I would like to use this as a topic of discussion with students in the challenge centre.  It would be interesting to have students talk about their own mind sets.  If we can empower students to understand how their intelligence can be developed, then we are giving them tools for life.

As well, I have Carol Dweck's book on my reading list!

Options for students

At present, I am sick with a cold, and plowing through the referrals that I receive from schools.   I have just figured out the group for The Built Environment Challenge Centre Program being offered in December, and did I ever have a large amount of referrals!  I have a huge wait-list for this program, and I always struggle with letting the schools and eventually the parents know that the student, their child, did not get in.   Basically, the answer they did not get in is because there are so many referrals and so many students need to be serviced, and some have been applying for two years and haven't been able to get in, and others are in grade 6 or 7 and need to get in, and well there are just not enough spots!  

I receive a lot of emails from parents, asking about options for their children.  If they can only get into a program, maybe once or twice during their elementary schooling, what else is there for them?

I try not to make it a complicated answer, but eventually it is....I lay out the options from other public schools with special programs (French Immersion, Montessori, Fine Arts), to district services (challenge centres, mentorships, the multi-age cluster class), and finally, special targeted schools for gifted students, that usually come with a tuition fee...(now this is complicated because I work for the public school system and I believe and support a publicly funded system, but sometimes, parents need to find what is right for their child).  So it is complicated...and frustrating.

Sometimes we have too many options....and these options paralyze us.  Although times have changed, I remember my parents picking my school because it was up the street and we could walk there.  Going to another school was not even an issue - you supported your local school, come what may.  And, the same went for high school.   But, that was in the 1970's, and the world is a very different place.  Our students' needs are different.  Our society is different.

So, there are many options for students, just keep exploring them and asking questions and being mindful of what your child or student needs. I will try my best to get them a place in a program!

Options for students

At present, I am sick with a cold, and plowing through the referrals that I receive from schools.   I have just figured out the group for The Built Environment Challenge Centre Program being offered in December, and did I ever have a large amount of referrals!  I have a huge wait-list for this program, and I always struggle with letting the schools and eventually the parents know that the student, their child, did not get in.   Basically, the answer they did not get in is because there are so many referrals and so many students need to be serviced, and some have been applying for two years and haven't been able to get in, and others are in grade 6 or 7 and need to get in, and well there are just not enough spots!  

I receive a lot of emails from parents, asking about options for their children.  If they can only get into a program, maybe once or twice during their elementary schooling, what else is there for them?

I try not to make it a complicated answer, but eventually it is....I lay out the options from other public schools with special programs (French Immersion, Montessori, Fine Arts), to district services (challenge centres, mentorships, the multi-age cluster class), and finally, special targeted schools for gifted students, that usually come with a tuition fee...(now this is complicated because I work for the public school system and I believe and support a publicly funded system, but sometimes, parents need to find what is right for their child).  So it is complicated...and frustrating.

Sometimes we have too many options....and these options paralyze us.  Although times have changed, I remember my parents picking my school because it was up the street and we could walk there.  Going to another school was not even an issue - you supported your local school, come what may.  And, the same went for high school.   But, that was in the 1970's, and the world is a very different place.  Our students' needs are different.  Our society is different.

So, there are many options for students, just keep exploring them and asking questions and being mindful of what your child or student needs. I will try my best to get them a place in a program!

It's All About the Team

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!

It's All About the Team

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!

Programs underway....the year begins

The year is well underway and I am excited by all that is happening in gifted education.  I just finished a great workshop and met inspiring teachers who wanted information on our programs....and I realized that the challenge centre is a small  part of our excellent program offerings in Vancouver.  So, over the next few weeks, I will be filling in the gaps and providing information about our district offerings in gifted education.

I am working with a great group of students (grades 3/4) in a program called "The Write Stuff" and we are looking at narrative writing, and how to be a writer.  I have pitched the curriculum to them at an abstract level, and it is challenging.  One of my students is a voracious reader, and wants to write like the authors she reads.  

Teaching writing is challenging because it is a process that requires time, lots of time, and lots of thinking, and lots of reflection, and maturity, and it can be very frustrating for these young authors.  


So, to build a framework, I used the book The Plot Chickens 

as an introduction.  What is wonderful about this resource is that it breaks down the narrative form into 8 rules, and it is told in a very student friendly format.  A few of the rules are:  develop a main character, have suspense, the character must solve his/her problem, and there must be a setting.  

I will report back with some student sample of writing, and the 8 rules of the book next week.  Happy writing, and welcome to my favourite season of all:  autumn!

Programs underway....the year begins

The year is well underway and I am excited by all that is happening in gifted education.  I just finished a great workshop and met inspiring teachers who wanted information on our programs....and I realized that the challenge centre is a small  part of our excellent program offerings in Vancouver.  So, over the next few weeks, I will be filling in the gaps and providing information about our district offerings in gifted education.

I am working with a great group of students (grades 3/4) in a program called "The Write Stuff" and we are looking at narrative writing, and how to be a writer.  I have pitched the curriculum to them at an abstract level, and it is challenging.  One of my students is a voracious reader, and wants to write like the authors she reads.  

Teaching writing is challenging because it is a process that requires time, lots of time, and lots of thinking, and lots of reflection, and maturity, and it can be very frustrating for these young authors.  


So, to build a framework, I used the book The Plot Chickens 

as an introduction.  What is wonderful about this resource is that it breaks down the narrative form into 8 rules, and it is told in a very student friendly format.  A few of the rules are:  develop a main character, have suspense, the character must solve his/her problem, and there must be a setting.  

I will report back with some student sample of writing, and the 8 rules of the book next week.  Happy writing, and welcome to my favourite season of all:  autumn!

A Great Article

Although I've been in gifted education for nearly 20 years, I find that the term "gifted" is fraught with controversy.   I think people think it is exclusionary. That the gifted have some special talent, are better than everyone else.  

However, I have never viewed it as that...my view is meeting needs of students.  Using our brains, problem solving, and being creative.

I just read a great article by Bruce Shore from McGill University in Montreal:  "Giftedness is not what it used to be, school is not what it used to be, their future, and why psychologists in education should care." published in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology 2010 June 25: 151-169.

I encourage those in the field to read this; it is a refreshing study on the state of gifted education and how our every changing view of gifted is evolving.  I think it is so important that we renew our look at gifted and make sure we support learners in our field. 

Bruce Shore Article 

A Great Article

Although I've been in gifted education for nearly 20 years, I find that the term "gifted" is fraught with controversy.   I think people think it is exclusionary. That the gifted have some special talent, are better than everyone else.  

However, I have never viewed it as that...my view is meeting needs of students.  Using our brains, problem solving, and being creative.

I just read a great article by Bruce Shore from McGill University in Montreal:  "Giftedness is not what it used to be, school is not what it used to be, their future, and why psychologists in education should care." published in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology 2010 June 25: 151-169.

I encourage those in the field to read this; it is a refreshing study on the state of gifted education and how our every changing view of gifted is evolving.  I think it is so important that we renew our look at gifted and make sure we support learners in our field. 

Bruce Shore Article 

Teaching Gifted versus Bright Lights

I struggle with the term "gifted".  I have for many years.  I use it because is classifies a population of students I have the opportunity to work with, but I dislike the nuances that come with the term. 

It supposes that there are students with "gifts", and in having these "gifts" they are set apart or different from other students. However, in my role as the Challenge Centre Teacher for the District, I have to use the term in order to provide services to students.  I do not wish to get into a philosophical rambling about the term, however, I enjoy working with students and providing opportunities to children that are ready for a challenge and are ready to extend themselves in their learning.  

When students come to the Challenge Centre, they are "bright eyed and bushy tailed" and ready to learn!  They are ready to take a risk and extend themselves in their learning.  So, I have renamed my site Bright Lights, to emphasize the energy and "light bulb" moments I see with my students.  The lights are on and they are ready to go!

Teaching Gifted versus Bright Lights

I struggle with the term "gifted".  I have for many years.  I use it because is classifies a population of students I have the opportunity to work with, but I dislike the nuances that come with the term. 

It supposes that there are students with "gifts", and in having these "gifts" they are set apart or different from other students. However, in my role as the Challenge Centre Teacher for the District, I have to use the term in order to provide services to students.  I do not wish to get into a philosophical rambling about the term, however, I enjoy working with students and providing opportunities to children that are ready for a challenge and are ready to extend themselves in their learning.  

When students come to the Challenge Centre, they are "bright eyed and bushy tailed" and ready to learn!  They are ready to take a risk and extend themselves in their learning.  So, I have renamed my site Bright Lights, to emphasize the energy and "light bulb" moments I see with my students.  The lights are on and they are ready to go!

Finally linked to the VSB

I have had this blog for a few years now, my intent being:

1.  To showcase the type of work and projects we do in the Challenge Centre
2.  To provide a  resource for parents and teachers to see what occurs in the Challenge Centre, and for them to learn more about gifted education; initially I wanted to have units and resources and links on line.
3.  To promote the work we do in a time when there are many cutbacks in education

I began this endeavour in a blog format, wanting to create a website within the Vancouver School Board for gifted education.  However, working only 3 days per week, I have found it difficult to develop a web site, and to get it approved by the Vancouver School Board.  So, for the meantime, I have linked this blog to the Vancouver School Board website.  However, I am not linked to the gifted page on the website, and this is something I am working towards.  Keep posted over the course of this year, as I will move forward with this blog.

Finally linked to the VSB

I have had this blog for a few years now, my intent being:

1.  To showcase the type of work and projects we do in the Challenge Centre
2.  To provide a  resource for parents and teachers to see what occurs in the Challenge Centre, and for them to learn more about gifted education; initially I wanted to have units and resources and links on line.
3.  To promote the work we do in a time when there are many cutbacks in education

I began this endeavour in a blog format, wanting to create a website within the Vancouver School Board for gifted education.  However, working only 3 days per week, I have found it difficult to develop a web site, and to get it approved by the Vancouver School Board.  So, for the meantime, I have linked this blog to the Vancouver School Board website.  However, I am not linked to the gifted page on the website, and this is something I am working towards.  Keep posted over the course of this year, as I will move forward with this blog.