W1. Choosing and Using Appropriate Literature for Young Gifted Readers
The goal of literacy instruction for pre-K-3rd grade high-potential students is to provide a rigorous yet age appropriate view of learning to read and reading to learn. Using children’s literature as a foundation for best practice instruction, this interactive workshop share a myriad of picture books and literature selections that promote strategic
literacy development in both fiction and informational book selections. Participants are presented with research-based reading methodology and gifted education best practices. Books targeting the cognitive and affective needs of children are presented with meaningful ideas for reading reflection, research projects, and learning center/ workstations. Participants receive a bibliography of books shared in the workshop as well as website information to explore further this “fun”damental aspect of an early childhood literacy program.
Sponsored by the Early Childhood Network
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W2. Collaborating Over the Internet: Using New Internet Tools To Create a Global Classroom
Gifted education programs often rely on Instructional Technology (IT) tools to help engage students in challenging learning experiences. As such, educators of the gifted must know how to utilize and integrate IT tools to create an environment that encourages gifted students to apply these tools and develop novel solutions to problems at appropriate challenge levels. The goal for this session is to guide participants in why
and how to integrate Instructional Technology tools (digital story telling, electronic pen-pals, and web-based reflective journaling) into lessons. In addition, participants collaborate to apply session information to learning experiences to foster the creative and critical thinking process for students.
Sponsored by the Computers and Technology and Curriculum Networks
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W3. Dabrowski’s Theory at Work: What Counselors, Teachers, and Parents Need to Know about Nurturing the Intensity, Sensitivity, and Developmental Potential of the Gifted
This pre-convention academy connects Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration to current research with gifted children along with practical applications for teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and parents. The presenters discuss a new instrument for assessing overexcitabilities in elementary aged students; characteristics and qualities of overexcitabilities, the variety of forms of their expression, and the potential they hold for both misunderstanding and potential misdiagnosis of the gifted; and insights about the growth of the gifted throughout the lifecycle with advice about the ways parents, teachers, and counselors can provide scaffolding, mooring, and opportunities for optimal development, expression of talent, and authenticity.
Sponsored by the Counseling and Guidance and Global Awareness Networks
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W4. Understanding and Assessing Gifted Students in the Middle Grades
This Academy kicks off with an update on the latest research on gifted students in the middle grades. The focus then shifts to the ever-present issues of assessment including pre-assessment tools and techniques, connecting student products to learning styles, assessments to use during learning, standards and standardized assessments, and the need for continuing to identify emerging giftedness and talent throughout adolescence. The presenters will guide participants in developing practical solutions to assessment issues in their own middle schools and classrooms. Resource lists will be distributed to help participants continue to revise and apply the work begun in this session.
Sponsored by the Middle Grades Network
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W5. The STEM Promise: Recognizing and Developing Talent and Expanding Opportunities for Promising Students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical to our economy, our national security, and our global leadership in innovation and research. Our key resource lies in students with mathematical and scientific promise. This session gives teachers, coordinators and administrators an opportunity to explore global research-based strategies, curriculum and resources for identifying, developing, and supporting these promising STEM students. Topics include: multiple identification methods; exemplary teaching, learning and assessment practices and resources; rich learning tasks, curricula, competitions, and electronic support; out of-school programs, and other practical suggestions for supporting and developing STEM students at all grade levels and from all backgrounds.
Sponsored by the Math and Science Task Force
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W6. Breaking Down the GATEs: Practical and Effective Strategies and Systems for Identifying and Developing Talent and Potential in Gifted English Language Learners - Every Child Moving Forward!
Gifted and talented education programs are often referred to as GATE programs. Ironically, these ‘gates’ often have proven to be very real barriers to developing the talent and potential of our nation’s English language learners. This academy actively explores how to design effective identification systems using defensible multiple measures and criteria to gain a more complete and diagnostic view of student potential and needs; learn and use practical instructional strategies that elicit gifted characteristics while supporting higher-level thinking skills in all programs to meet the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted English language learners.
Sponsored by the Special Populations Network
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W7. Professional Development, Accountability and Gifted, Oh My!
How do you establish professional development programming that results in effective teaching practices for all students? How do we utilize the NSDC standards to address the needs of experienced and preservice teachers? In an era of accountability, teachers feel a strong sense of responsibility and urgency for getting all students to competency. This academy explores these issues and focus on how to help teachers establish and maintain a balance that supports the academic growth of all students through the use of NSDC effective professional development designs.
Sponsored by the Professional Development Network
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W8. Current Issues in Secondary Gifted Education: Practical Strategies for in Classroom
This session presents issues that affect all aspects of the current picture of gifted education at the secondary level. The session presenters are members of the Task Force on Secondary Gifted Education for NAGC, and have recently written a monograph which is available at this conference. Issues discussed include reform efforts in secondary gifted education, curricular offerings for secondary gifted students, availability of options for gifted students, social and emotional issues that impact secondary students, differentiation of instruction in AP and IB courses, and suggestions for future trends in programming for secondary gifted students.
Sponsored by the Secondary Schools Task Force
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