1.  Program to
 Enhance the
 Gifts,
 Aptitudes, and
 Skills of
 Unique
 Students

2.  Jennifer Marten (grades K-4)
◦ Word Masters (grades 3-4)
◦ Grouping/Scheduling
◦ Critical Thinking
 Jessica Barrington (grades 5-8)
◦ 5th Grade
◦ Math Olympiad & Word Masters
◦ Testing out
◦ Challenge opportunities
◦ Grading
◦ GEMS

3.  The links to our past presentations can be
found on all three parent wikis.
◦ http://plymouthpegasus.pbworks.com (K-4)
◦ http://riverviewpegasus.pbworks.com (5-8)
◦ http://phspegasus.pbworks.com (9-12)

4.  We want to
◦ Move away from lecture model
◦ Share some of the great literature on giftedness
◦ Have a chance to listen and learn from each other
 Our plan is to
◦ Lead discussions on the following books
 Barefoot Irreverence http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-
Irreverence-Collection-Writings-
Education/dp/1882664795/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&
qid=1347646659&sr=1-1&keywords=barefoot+irreverence
 Nurturing Brilliance http://www.amazon.com/Nurturing-
Brilliance-Discovering-Developing-
Childs/dp/1935067125/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347645
690&sr=8-1&keywords=nurturing+brilliance

5.  The WATG (Wisconsin Association for
Talented and Gifted) Annual Conference is at
Blue Harbor October 11-12. There is a
discounted rate for parents.
http://www.watg.org/uploads/3/4/6/1/3461
451/parent_promo1.pdf
 Roots and Wings – if you are not on the email
list, please contact Kelly Haefs at
snkhaefs@wi.rr.com

6. 1. Be supportive and encouraging
2. Don‟t expect perfection or too much from
us
3. Don‟t pressure us or be too demanding
4. Help us with our schoolwork/homework
5. Help us to develop our talents
6. Be understanding
7. Don‟t expect straight A‟s
8. Allow us some independence
9. Talk/Listen to us
10. Let us try other programs

7. What can you do at home?

8. 1. Use moderation
2. Be positive
3. Agree on and communicate expectations
4. Let the learner struggle
5. Connect effort with results
6. Enforce academic time
7. Share decision making
8. Use incentives
9. Communicate clearly

9. 10. Minimize anxiety
11. Build self esteem

11.  Get the whole story
 Be careful not to ask leading questions
 Listen to what they are saying
 Help your child become a self-
advocate
◦ Ask him/her to verbalize the issue
◦ Help him/her brainstorm a solution
◦ Help him/her verbalize how to
appropriately approach the teacher

12.  Differentiated assignments
 Subject area acceleration
 Compacted curriculum
 Pretesting

13.  Accept that everything cannot be perfect for
everyone at all times.
 Teach your children to turn lemons into
lemonade. Model that behavior.
 Recognize issues that should be addressed by
the school and act in a timely manner.
 Contact the appropriate person when you
have a concern.

14.  Formulate your concern before
meeting
 Be prepared
 No personal vendettas
 Write short, effective speeches
 Encourage fathers to attend meetings
 Make sure to compliment the things
the teacher is doing that you
appreciate

15.  Identify the problem.
 Investigate the situation and research the
facts.
 Universalize the problem.
 Relate it to the mission and goals of the
school.
 Strive for a reasonable/rational case.
 Emotions tend to detract from your
credibility.

16.  Write a synopsis of the problem.
◦ State the problem as you interpret it.
◦ Present the evidence of the problem.
◦ List alternatives that might alleviate the problem.
◦ Be succinct.
◦ Use „we‟ not „I‟ and „you‟.
 View the problem from others‟ perspective.
◦ Teacher
◦ Student
◦ Principal
 Never call when you are angry or very
emotional.

17.  Allow the person most directly involved the
opportunity to hear your concern first.
 Call for an appointment but be prepared in
case the person is available to talk then.
 Greet the person warmly.
 State your facts calmly and in order.
 Build bridges; do not burn them.
 If you‟re happy with the results of the
meeting, say so and say thank you.
 If not, move up the chain of command.

18.  Talk to the GT Coordinator
 Talk to the Principal
 Talk to the Director of Instruction

19.  Remember, your child is watching how you
handle the situation.
 You are demonstrating that you love them
and consider education a priority.
 You are modeling that every human counts so
respect others as well as yourself.
 You are teaching that problem solving
involves
creativity, logic, protocol, challenge, time, an
d commitment.

20.  http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/04/1
6/six-words-you-should-say-today/
 “… College athletes were asked what their
parents said that made them feel great, that
amplified their joy during and after a
ballgame. Their overwhelming response: „I
love to watch you play.‟”
(http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/more-
family-fun/201202/what-makes-nightmare-
sports-parent)

21.  Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented
 Raising Champions by M.F. Sayler
 www.davidsongifted.org
 Judy Galbraith, M. A. and Jim Delisle, P.H.D.
(1996). The Gifted Kids‟ Survival Guide: A Teen
Handbook. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing
 Diane Heacox (1991). Up From
Underachievement. Minneapolis: Free Spirit
Publishing
 Carolyn Coil (1999). Encouraging Achievement.
Pieces of Learning