SOAR Parent Meeting August 16, 2012

1. SOAR Parent Meeting August 16, 2012 North Kirkwood Middle School Dr. Denise Ford

2. Welcome Parents! Thank you for being here!

3. memory The gifted child movement stress

4. Missouri State Definition of Gifted "those children who exhibit precocious development of mental capacity and learning potential as determined by competent professional evaluation to the extent that continued educational growth and stimulation could best be served by an academic environment beyond that offered through a standard grade level curriculum."

5. Characteristics of Gifted Children Ellen Winner Gifted children are precocious. Gifted children not only learn faster than average or even bright children but also learn in a qualitatively different way. Gifted children are intrinsically motivated to make sense of the domain in which they show precocity.

6. Myths of Gifted Children Academically gifted children have a general intellectual power that makes them gifted in all school subjects. Gifted children can accomplish anything they put their minds to, they just have to apply themselves. Gifted children are created by pushy parents driving their children to overachieve; when pushed too hard by over-ambitious parents, these children burn out. Gifted children are better adjusted, more popular, and happier than average children. Gifted children, especially prodigies, go on to become eminent and creative adults. They are aloof, proud of their own abilities, and care little for others. They are good at everything and should be reminded of that when they fail to perform at high levels. They have even profiles in respect to intellectual ability, academic aptitude, and social emotional development. They all enjoy independent work and are motivated to complete projects. They are good students, rarely causing behavioral problems of any kind in class. They are high achievers, don’t have to work for grades, and can manage on their own.

7. Planning for Success Webb’s three: self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and stress management • Affective filters • Syn-naps • Acknowledge your giftedness • Reduce stress and build resilience • Bibliotherapy • Conflict, giftedness • Role Playing • What would you do if? • Teach them to do it on their own • Reduce comparisons and praise specifically

8. Advice from Dr. Wills Wills, 2009, p. 97 “Parents who respect the development of their children’s personal growth and self-reliance, while resisting the temptation to fix all of their problems, help them grow into middle schoolers who have the confidence to trust their judgment when they deal with the numerous dilemmas that they face as gifted students and adolescents.”

9. 6th Grade Curriculum Persuasion/Debate  The Physical Science of Balanced Forces (bridges) Leonardo da Vinci Self Understanding Analytical/Critical/Creative Thinking

10. 7th Grade Curriculum Inquiry/Research/Presentation The Physical Science of Unbalanced Forces (rockets) Self Understanding Analytical/Critical/Creative Thinking

11. 8th Grade Curriculum ACT Independent Project (Achievable, Challenging, Timely) Service Learning -- Inquiry/Persuasion/Presentation Self Understanding Analytical/Critical/Creative Thinking

12. Suggested Books/Resources A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children by Dr. Jim Webb, et al Mindset by Carol Dweck Inspiring Middle School Minds by Dr. Judy Wills Living With Intensity by Michael Piechowski & Susan Daniels

13. Suggested Books/Resources (continued) Hoagies Gifted Gifted Resource Council St. Louis Association for Gifted Education Gifted Association of Missouri National Association for Gifted Children Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted

14. OURGOAL • To help our students continue to grow into their gifts • To develop the mental flexibility to enjoy them.

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16. Thanks for being here. Have a wonderful year!