Thumbprint Biographies

Everyone has a fingerprint that is unique to them.  This idea can be concrete, but can also be viewed from an abstract perspective.  How many connections can be made to the idea of “fingerprint” in our world today?  From the past?  In the future?  Generate a list of as many ideas as possible.

After activating the idea of “fingerprints,” have students create their own Thumbprint Biography.

Directions can be found here: 

Biographies

To extend this idea, students could read a biography or research online.  Help students build empathy and awareness by understanding how people from history contributed to the present, and how what we do will contribute to the present and future.  Students can then make a Thumbprint Biography for the person in history or choose quotes from the person, explaining the impact that person can have on others.

Here is an article that explains the benefits of reading biographies.

For some students, they will be reluctant to engage in “learning” activities.  This idea could be done through discussions and watching documentaries.  Increase the depth of thinking and increase the number of discussions in the home.    This idea gives content that can contribute to character development while building relationships at home.

Parents Need Information, Too

Several weeks ago our district had a parent information meeting.  After reading through some of their forms, it reminded me of the power of sharing information with parents.   This idea reminded me of this blog that seems to get put aside.  I guess one reason the blog gets put aside is the idea of the “other needs” for our children.  Parent questions and needs are also critical for those of us raising children with advanced potential, and I feel like the blog is a great way to feed information to parents.  Shout out to our amazing parents for reminding me of this!

One question that seemed to pop out at me (with the Holidays around the corner) was, “How do we keep little Suzie (not a real person) engaged at home?”  Parents also noted the need for more help with increasing their child’s perseverance.  The first thing that popped into my mind was ThinkFun Games.  The games from this company offer critical thinking opportunities that are actually fun!  Some games can be played alone.

Check out their website.

Think Fun Games

Another thing that popped into my mind was coding.  One app I really like is LightBot.  I like this because when students “run” the program it becomes a “self-checking” device.  Students have to figure out what they did wrong.  This game also provides students with some basic knowledge about coding.  Check it out.

LightBot

Two other great places to find games…

MindWare

Fat Brain Toys

Providing games, building blocks, science kits, etc., that require imagination, thinking, and/or revisiting the problem give students an opportunity to build critical thinking skills and perseverance that will nurture potential and increase student success in many areas.  And…it’s fun.

If you have a child who likes to opt out of challenge, you may have to play the games with them and not allow your child to quit playing.  Set a timer, have your child attempt for that amount of time, and then let them walk away.  They need to revisit the challenge at a later time.

So look into some of these games to engage your children at home, but also, make them READ a BOOK.  That’s a soapbox for another day.

 

Student Voice/Choice…with Standards

Google 20% or Passion Projects…Genius Hour…whatever you call it…the premise is the same.  Allowing students to research and learn about things they choose.  It’s difficult for teachers to “give-up” instructional time; however, I’m convinced a teacher can accomplish both.  Standards and student choice.

As I was looking at some things preparing for the upcoming school year, I ran into this simple article.  Might not be a new concept to all, but it’s a refresher course with a simple twist.

How can you incorporate student voice and choice?  How can you increase student buy-in?  I think this is a great way to do both without compromising standards.

Looking forward to beginning a new year of learning, teaching, and growing.  Try this option to learn more about your students as you begin the school year.

Standards Aligned Genius Hour

 

 

Types of Gifted Learners

It’s not always easy to identify gifted students.  As a matter of fact, “difficult to identify” gifted students desperately need us to find them.  With the mindset of creating cluster groups (of like peers), it’s important that we learn to look at the different types of gifted learners.  While we might not be 100% in identification, efforts to find all types will help us find more.

Remember that giftedness can be disabling which is evident as we learn more about the types mentioned at the link below.  As educators, we don’t want to leave a stone unturned.  We want ALL students to reach their potential.  The more we understand, the more apathetic we will be.  When we meet students where they are, the students will be much more willing to begin a journey with us.

Here’s a few small tidbits for digesting.

http://www.brainy-child.com/expert/types-of-giftedness.shtml

http://www.ri.net/gifted_talented/character.html

Poetry…Teach It??

Little nervous about teaching poetry?   Check out this amazing resource filled with words to help you wrap your head around poetry and exercises to use in the classroom. If you are seeking a tool to make poetry approachable, you should consider this resource!!

 

Organizing Your Thinking

As I was looking online for tools/resources for some current projects, I came across this nice little clutter free resource for thinking maps.  I haven’t used the “double bubble” map much, and it intrigued me.  I’ll be looking for a way to use it in the near future.

Remember that mind maps/graphic organizers help organize thinking.  This builds metacognition when we are strategic with the organizers we select.  Often times, high ability learners struggle with organization (not just their desks).  They swim in conceptual thinking and can have trouble organizing all those ideas.  Pairing purpose with organizers will give the high ability learners tools for becoming more of an autonomous learner.  It’s important for study skills, note taking, and articulating thoughts.  What a great reminder of thinking about thinking!

I’ve missed this blog! 🙂

Thinking Maps

Nemo’s Motto

I read today in a book by Jen Hatmaker that change is uncomfortable because it takes away the boundaries…or certainties of life.  That’s uncomfortable, isn’t it?  But then again, life is all about changes.  Do we really think we can make life certain? Everything changes.  We grow old.  We acquire different foods or styles.  We grow close or away to friends.  It’s all about change.

The book mentioned the idea of embracing change.  If we can begin to view life as it is…ever changing, then perhaps we wouldn’t be so rattled by change.  Maybe we would begin to look at each day as an opportunity.  Look at possibilities.  Take a moment to celebrate what you are accomplishing.

When you think you’ve given all you can, ask yourself to give just a little more.  Then feel good about your efforts.  Try to fix tomorrow what you didn’t like about today.  It’s more about effort and attitude…not perfection.  Isn’t that what we want from students?

We all come to work for the same goal.  Children.  Let’s teach them that change isn’t something to dread.  Change opens doors.

Nemo.  Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a situation that seems impossible.  But all it takes is one person to lead.   To save Dory, Nemo didn’t see the “what if’s” and live by his fears.  His dad tried to hold him back…Nemo was certain that he could make the necessary change that would save Dory and many others.

It’s amazing what we can do if we all swim in the same direction.  And in the same breath, it’s amazing what damage will surface if we don’t.   A lot of people believe in you, even when you’re not sure if YOU believe in you.

So I’ll leave you with a little gift.  As I was looking for resources for the reading scope and sequence, I found this little gem tucked away on my home computer.  This blog has a ton of picture book ideas for teaching in your class.  Hope you find it to be useful.

Teaching with Picture Books

Teach on!

DAP Tool

Often I am teased about my infatuation with documents! I love creating a thinking template because it frees up cognitive space for more synthesizing!  Well, look at this document (Website is extremely useful, too!).

For those differentiated projects that get difficult to grade…here’s a tool…a document!

http://www.warren.kyschools.us/~dbaxter/ct_gifted/DAP%20Tool.html

Tic Tac Toe or Chess?

Complexity

If you haven’t subscribed, you are really missing out. Byrdseed explains why it’s important to have the “just right” balance of complexity. Check it out!

Hope you’re enjoying summer!

Arriving at Summer

Days away from another summer.  Plans and catch-ups.  Beaches and pools.  Sunshine and sunburns.  Smells of sunscreen and watermelon.  Memories of childhood and episodes of restless children.  Are you one of those teachers that will spend some of your summer getting caught up on your professional reading…tweaking what didn’t seem right…or following research on a topic you heard during the year? It’s a GREAT time to rejuvenate the body, soul, and mind…to prepare for another group of kids that will capture your heart next school year.  It’s hard to let go of your “kids” each year, isn’t it?

A friend of mine, 1st grade teacher at OCE, and I always have something we focus on each summer.  One summer, it happened that we were both digging deep into the writing process with mentor text.  It’s fun to set out on a journey and feel the growth from your learning.  I bet if I called her right now, she’d have a focus for the summer.

I’ve had four teachers ask for books to read over the summer as they try to dig deeper into giftedness.  My personal focus this summer will be on vocabulary (roots/stems) and differentiation.  I’m sure I’ll add more to the agenda…but for now…I’m digging into these areas.

What is so cool about life as we now know it is learning is right at your fingertips.  You can become an expert at whatever you choose.  It depends on the amount of time you want to put into learning.  Maybe you don’t want to become an expert, but you want to wrap your head around a concept.  YOU can customize your learning.  But you need a learning objective.  So do you have one? Or two? Or more?

Kristy Mall from Discovery School sent this link to me a little while ago. It’s a really good article.  Perhaps learning more about gifted is on your list.  Here’s some food for thought.  Thanks Kristy Mall!

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/05/13/gifted-education-is-about-the-whole-child.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2-RM

Let’s see if we can get this “community” to grow.  Share the blog with others.  Sign up for alerts.  We are educators, and we need each other.  We’ve got a big job to do, and it’s important!  So let’s become experts in something new!