Sarah Kasprowicz kasprowiczs@merton.k12.wi Kelli Kwiatkowski kwiatkok@elmbrookschools

1. 2012 Fall Conference Gifted Lives: Engaged, Enlightened, Empowered #WATG12 Sarah Kasprowicz kasprowiczs@merton.k12.wi.us Kelli Kwiatkowski kwiatkok@elmbrookschools.org WATG Board of Directors

2. What are the needs of gifted children? Healthy Relationship with themselves Healthy Relationship with others Healthy Relationship with their world ~Lisa Rivero, Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)

3. Common Roadblocks Asynchronous Development Intensity Perfectionism Misunderstandings • 6 Profiles

4. Asynchronous Development • Gifted children develop in multiple layers. They can appear very mature in some areas and less mature in others. • You could see all of the below items at the same time: • Highly advanced intellect • Advanced sense of humor • Acutely aware of fairness and injustice in the world • Unable to tie their own shoes • Need to sleep with the light on • Unable to express their advanced thoughts in writing

5. Implications Frustration with themselves, others and their world in general.

6. Age Peers vs. Intellectual Peers • Not much in common with age peers • Children may feel more like “themselves” with intellectual peers, younger children, older children or with adults • Friendship issue may occur

7. Intensity Gifted children have a more intense experience when making sense of themselves, others and their world.

8. Intensity Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities and Theory of Positive Disintegration • Psychomotor • Sensual • Intellectual • Imaginational • Emotional

9. “Mellow Out” • Written by Michael Piechowski, Ph. D. • “Mellow out,” they say, to which I can only respond, “If only I could.” At birth I was crucified with this mind that has caused me considerable pain, and frustration with teachers, coaches, peers, my family, but most of all with myself. ~Carol, cover illustrator

10. Accommodations for Intensity • Help children with stress management • Help with task analysis and time management • Assistance with transitions • Suggest involvement in Tae Kwon Do • Discussions with student about triggers • Counseling about intensity • Do not attempt to “fix” the intensity. • Children and parents need to accept intensity and develop strategies to accommodate for themselves.

11. Perfectionism Parents might see: • Task avoidance • Apathy • Difficulty with task completion • Anxiety Ideas for Coping Skills

12. Betts and Neihart, 1988 6 Profiles The Successful The At - Risk The Underground The Autonomous Learner Twice/Multi Exceptional The Creative Matrix of Feelings, Behaviors and Support Needed from Home and School

13. Let’s Hear from Gifted Children • Video

14. Share • What are the advantages of addressing the social and emotional needs of gifted children in your school’s RtI process?

15. Vent ? • What are the challenges with addressing the social and emotional needs of gifted children in your school’s RtI process?

16. Brainstorm • What has worked well for your district when addressing the social and emotional needs of gifted children in your RtI process?

17. RtI Intervention Needs • Attendance • Underachievement • Technology Violations • Conflict Resolution • Decision-making • Goal Setting and Achievement • Social Skills • Others?

18. RtI Intervention Ideas Wisconsin DPI: RtI and Gifted Education • Mentorships (getting one or becoming one) • Diet Change • Bibliotherapy • Schedule change • Small group based on interest/passion • Alone time • Journaling or Blogging

19. Proactive approaches Intervention Ideas • Service learning project • Project-based learning (Buck Institute for Education) • School-Home communication system • Time to exercise, run, move about • Intellectual Peer Groups • Outlet for creative expression • Art, Dance, writing, music The New RtI: Response to Intelligenceby Penny Choice and Dr. Sally Walker

20. Skyward Student Information System

21. Skyward Categories can be tweaked

22. Skyward • The Gifted and Talented module seems to be there just for reporting purposes. • The RtI module can be tweaked • New drop down menus can’t be created. The interface is rigid. • New options within the existing dropdowns can be added. • There are 5 tiers available in Skyward’s RtI Module • Tier 1: Universal • Tier 2. Select • Tier 3: Targeted • Tier 4: GT2 • Tier 5: GT3

23. Drop Down Menus • Add interventions that are connected to current classroom and district level GT programming • Independent Contracts • Accelerated Math • WCATY coursework • Leadership Camps • Guidance Groups • Add Underachievement and social / emotional needs as an area of intervention need

24. (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) SENG • Website • Background information • Videos • Power Points • Articles • Conferences • SENGinars SENG Model Parent Group

25. Objectives of SENG Model Parent Groups • Establish an environment in which facilitators provide support and guidance, so parents of talented children can interact and learn from each other. • Increase parents’ awareness that talented children and their families have special emotional needs. • Develop parenting skills for nurturing the emotional development of talented children. • Provide parents with materials to enhance understanding of: • Characteristics of high potential children. • Programs and opportunities for talented children. • Relevant books and professional organizations. • Referrals for more in-depth professional assistance. • Encourage parent involvement in and support of appropriate educational opportunities. (SENG website)

26. THANK YOU! • #WATG12