Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!!



 

Wishing all of our Webster Groves

families a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Nomination Deadline Reminder


Nomination Deadline Reminder

Gifted and Talented Program

&

Gifted Fine Arts Program

(GFA Group Interviews are March 29, 2014)

Dec. 16, 2013

 

Note: Nominations received after the deadline may not be evaluated or placed
until the 2014-15 school year.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Pickle Autopsy

As we have been learning about Ancient Egypt, we researched the history of autopsies and a famous mummy, Gebelein, at The British Museum. The museum did an autopsy on the mummy. http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2012/11/16/virtual-autopsy-discover-how-the-ancient-egyptian-gebelein-man-died/

Students read about the history of autopsies and learned about the y-incision. Using masking tape, students practiced the y-incision prior to dissecting their pickles. After discovering the organs (buttons, staples, spaghetti, puff balls, pipe cleaners) and "cause of death", they closed the incision with needle and floss. They are now completing their final autopsy report using Scratch and will present to their peers in PP. 









Wrapping Up First Grade Screening

We have finished the process of screening all first grade students for the Webster Groves Gifted and Talented Programs.  The intent of the screening procedure is to be inclusive when identifying students who demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, a high level of performance. 


All first grade students  participated in classroom lessons taught by gifted specialists for the purpose of exposing students to activities that promote creative, analytical, and critical thinking. These enrichment lessons took place in the regular classroom during students’ regular school day.   
As part of the screening process, all first grade students were given the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2), a language free test of nonverbal reasoning. Based on the NNAT2 scores, the top twenty percent of the first grade students, district wide, will be considered for further evaluation. 
 
 

 


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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

What's Your Red Rubber Ball?!?

A few years ago, I happened upon a great little read ...Rules of the Red Rubber Ball by Kevin Carroll.



This book changed my personal and professional life. Kevin Carroll's delightful storytelling channels his childhood passion for sport and play into an appealing blueprint for life. Drawing wisdom from the playgrounds of his youth, where he spent hour upon hour sharpening his body and his mind, Kevin shares his Rules of the Red Rubber Ball — how to achieve maximum human potential through the power of passion and creativity. (http://www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com/books/)


His simple rules inspire youth and adults alike to use their "red rubber ball" as a katalyst to :
1) Commit to it
2) Seek out encouragers
3) Work out your creative muscle
4) Prepare to shine
5) Speak up
6) Expect the unexpected
7) Maximize the day




Last year COCA curated an exhibit that featured Kevin's work as an author, speaker and global connector. The exhibit displayed the balls that he had collected throughout his journey. When I learned about this event, I had to go meet Kevin.










Little did I know that this meeting would develop into a learning opportunity that I did not expect. I should have expected the unexpected! I shared this book with the gifted team and we now use it as a resource for our affective curriculum. Our students are learning how to utilize Kevin's rules to stretch their creative muscle. I also experienced the value of networking when, to my surprise, Dr. Jon Clark (WGHS Principal) attended Kevin's COCA exhibit with his wife, Vinisha. Little did I know that they would be hosting a reception for Kevin at their home later that evening . Dr. Clark invited me to the reception, which gave me the opportunity to talk with Kevin about his impact on our students. As one thing often leads to another, on November 13, 2013. Kevin Carroll visited Webster Groves High School to address over 800 students about how to chase their "Red Rubber Ball". 4th and 5th grade Project Plus students from Bristol and 8th grade GEMS students from Hixson were invited to attend.


Not only did our gifted students hear his motivational speech, but they had the opportunity to meet him in a special small group session where he answered questions and signed autographs.  Many thanks to Dr. Clark for inviting our students to be a part of this special day.

Monday, November 18, 2013

"The Gifted Learner" Student Talks


Webster University-“The Gifted Learner.”  November 12, 2013.

Webster HS students talked to an education graduate class at Webster University.  Mr. Kirschman spoke about the districts commitment to high school gifted students and the variety of programing around the country.  Alex Puricelli, Lonita Benson and Jessica Pierce spoke about their experiences in Webster’s gifted program.  One of the Graduate students afterward wrote “thank you so much for giving us wonderful insight into your world.” 




 


American Academy of University Women-November 14, 2013.

Colin Gilker and Dorothea  Lebeau spoke about our robotics program last night to the American Academy of University Women-Kirkwood/Webster branch.  They spoke about the team journey and their experiences as being a member of the Statesbots team:  learning various computer programing languages and basic engineering principals.  They also spoke about their future aspirations.  For more information about the robotics program, go to: http://hs.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/WGHS/Departments/Clubs_and_Activities/Robotics_Team


 

Engaged in Professional Learning

The WG gifted department is commited to professional growth and learning. When we are engaged in our professional learning opportuites it strengthens our perceptions of how students learn and process  information. In additon, we are able to practice new strategies  before they are implemented into the gifted classroom. The Wordle below is an overview of some of the work and learning that we have participated in.






PBL

Problem Based Learing PD with Steve Coxen at Maryville University


Marzano Curriculum Work

Learning goals / Curricuulm


STEM Curriculum

Maker Spaces with Dr. Chris McGee and the Disruption Department









Saturday, November 9, 2013

Shifting into High Gear

This week I am at the 60th anniversary NAGC conference being filled with new knowledge and perspectives from the national gifted community. I have curated a few quotes along the way...

Milton Chen
 
 
 

John Green