From Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us  Mon Feb  2 11:54:32 2009
From: Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us (FIGGINS Stacey)
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 11:54:32 -0800
Subject: [Tag-Info] TAG Teacher Training Mini-Grant
Message-ID: <C6CB341AA8C9864D8EC69C75D20FD1CBAD786531@ode-mail>


Please read the news announcement posted at:

http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/announcements/announcement.aspx?=4557

Stacey Figgins
Education Specialist, Talented and Gifted
Oregon Department of Education
Public Services Building
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, Oregon  97310
stacey.figgins at state.or.us
503) 947-5701



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From Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us  Tue Feb  3 13:46:00 2009
From: Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us (FIGGINS Stacey)
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:46:00 -0800
Subject: [Tag-Info] Oregon Talented and Gifted Teacher Update #5
Message-ID: <C6CB341AA8C9864D8EC69C75D20FD1CBAD786562@ode-mail>


        A text-only version of this newsletter is included in this email for those subscribers unable to open attachments.  If you prefer, you can also view a more reader-friendly version of the newsletter with added formatting at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2319




Oregon Talented and Gifted Teacher Update #5
February 3, 2009

Please forward this issue of the update to interested professionals!
Teachers may sign up for this or other newsletters at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1843
Past issues are also available at this website.

1.      Welcome to the TAG Teacher Update
2.      Legal Reminder of the Month
3.      Understanding the Diversity of the Gifted
4.      Horace Mann Teacher Education Scholarships
5.      Teaching Mathematics to Gifted Students in a Mixed-Ability Classroom
6.      Visual Learning Classroom Activity to Promote Creative Thinking
7.      Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. Conference for Secondary Girls
8.      Independent Study Options for TAG Students
9.      Captain Planet Foundation Grants for Teachers
10.     Gifted Kids in the News
11.     Getting Creative with Ketchup
12.     Win $2,500 in Free Technology for Your School
13.     SAT Vocabulary Video Contest
14.     ING Unsung Heroes? ?Rewarding Excellence in America?s Schools
15.     Online Training in Differentiation for only $129
16.     Local Enrichment Resource?Meet Will Shakespeare
17.     Identifying Gifted Students from Poverty?win a free book!
18.     Creating and Using Anchoring Activities
19.     Scholarship for Gifted Students in Grades 3-6
20.     Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program
21.     Real Life Application for Mathematics Lesson
22.     Current Events on Social Issues
23.     Sharing Resources for Gifted Services
24.     Win Up to $10,000 for Increasing Equity
25.     Check Out Teacher Updates in Other Content Areas
26.     How to Submit Articles
27.     In Every Issue?Internet Resources

1. Welcome to the TAG Teacher Update
This newsletter is designed to provide current information concerning teachers of
TAG students, guidance counselors, administrators, and coordinators of TAG programs.
Please let your colleagues know they can subscribe to this and other ODE content
area newsletters by visiting: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1843

2. Legal Reminder of the Month
        The Chief Administrative Officer for each district annually certifies that the school district has completed and presented its annual report to the community and is in compliance with and implementing all of the Standards for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools set out in Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 581, Division 22.  Identification, parental rights, and services in TAG all fall under Division 22.  For more information, including a newly update technical assistance manual, School Improvement Review of Standards Handbook, go tohttp://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=733.

3.  Understanding the Diversity of the Gifted
        (Adapted from Bertie Kingore, Tempo, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, Volume 17, Number 2 (pp.1,6), Spring 1997.)

Being gifted is like having a really nice high-performance car.  But the environment in which you drive impacts your forward momentum.

? Gifted children from a nurtured and enriched environment have the car with an outside accessory package.  Everyone can see, admire, and serve the talents.
        ? A gifted child from a low socioeconomic background has the car but may not have the keys to drive it yet.
        ? Gifted children who are highly gifted prodigies have the car but may only be allowed to drive within the city limits and must follow all the usual traffic signs such as slow, caution, speed limit, and stop.
        ? Gifted children who underachieve have the car but they don?t drive it.  It remains parked in the garage.
        ? Gifted children in primary grades have the car but often their keys are taken away because they?re considered too young to drive.
        ? A gifted child whose native language isn?t English has the car, but the signs and directions are in another language so she or he cannot go anywhere.
        ? Gifted children who have ADD/ADHD have the car, but the electrical ignition system is wired differently so it stays in motion when others want it to stop.
        ? A gifted child from a culturally diverse background has the car, but it may be covered in shrink-wrap which clouds his or her potential.
        ? Gifted children who have physical challenges have the car but the air conditioning may be broken.  The mechanics focus on fixing the air conditioning so the cars never get to be driven.
        ? A Gifted female has the car but may not drive it for fear of what others think.

Being gifted is like having a really nice car.  Our challenge as educators and parents is to become sensitive to the diversity of the gifted so their cars can safely enter the high-speed freeway of learning.

4.  Horace Mann Teacher Education Scholarships
        Are you a teacher interested in continuing your education?  You can get help paying for graduate classes by applying for a Horace Mann Scholarship.  K-12 teachers with at least two years of experience may apply for up to $5,000 in tuition costs.  For more information go to https://www.horacemann.com/resources/scholarships/default.aspx

5.  Teaching Mathematics to Gifted Students in a Mixed-Ability Classroom
        Mathematically gifted students have special needs largely contingent upon their advanced pace and ability to go into the content with much more depth.  Read more about math instruction and the gifted in this brief but informative article published by the Council for Exceptional Children by clicking here.<http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=2502&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm>

6.  Visual Learning Classroom Activity to Promote Creative Thinking
        (Adapted from an article ?Drawing on the Inventive Mind: Making Verbal Thinking Visual and Visual Thinking Verbal,? by Jon Pearson.)
        Drawing and sketching as tools for teaching reading comprehension have been part of many teachers? strategies for quite sometime.  The ability to visualize what one is reading is a key component of what good readers do.  The ability to visualize all learning and content often increases understanding and the depth of understanding.  This may be especially true for visual learners.  Too often classrooms focus on giving information verbally, when quite often a majority of students prefer learning visually.
        An instructional strategy that can address all of these issues is to first have students draw a picture of something they have been studying in class.  For example, after a unit on the United States Civil War, perhaps begin with a general quick brainstorm reviewing all of the content objectives you have studied.  Then give students twenty minutes or so to complete a drawing of all the content.  For this assignment, you are really looking for more of a sketch, not a polished project.
        After the drawings are complete, ask students to make a column labeled ?SEE.?  Then have them write down everything they see.  I find that this type of exercise works best when you time students with a limited time limit, probably around three to five minutes depending on the age of the student.  Next, repeat the exercise but ask students to list everything they imagine in the picture.  An optional follow up would be to have partners swap pictures and make ?see? and ?imagine? lists for their partners? pictures.  Conclude the activity with a class discussion of the lists that students generated.
        This activity incorporates creative thinking and could also lend itself to a follow- up conversation or lesson on inference and how inference relates to your content area.  This kind of classroom activity might also be helpful in identifying potentially gifted students who do not always demonstrate their abilities on standardized tests.
        To further differentiate this activity for gifted students, one strategy would be to give TAG students a reading assignment that extends on the learning. In this example, perhaps a reading on a civil war from another country or a primary source document from the United States Civil War that might be too difficult for the rest of the class. This assignment could be completed by the TAG student when the other students are reviewing the content for the unit.  TAG students often do not require as much repetition and review.  Ask the TAG students to incorporate this extended learning into their drawing.

7.  Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. Conference for Secondary Girls
Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. holds an annual career fair.  It is an incredibly effective way to discover career possibilities in the construction, mechanical, utility, and other trades. This is a chance for women and girls to meet tradeswomen, use power tools, operate equipment, and learn about apprenticeships and high-paying, highly skilled career opportunities in the trades.  It will be held at the NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Center in Portland.   Thursday, May 14th is the day for middle school girls to attend, and Friday, May 15th is the day for high school girls to attend.  To register or for more information go to http://www.tradeswomen.net/fair2009intro.php.

8.  Independent Study Options for TAG Students
        Classroom teachers often wish to engage TAG students in independent study options when compacting the curriculum.  A common challenge is providing the TAG students with the appropriate amount of direction and leadership to allow them to completely demonstrate all of their research findings when you have a classroom full of students doing other work.  Prufrock Press has a product for sale that efficiently focuses and organizes the steps associated with independent study.  Even if you are not interested in purchasing this product, you may want to look at the sample pages provided to get ideas for organizing your TAG students in their independent studies.
Find out more at http://www.prufrock.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=641.

9.  Captain Planet Foundation Grants for Teachers
        The Captain Planet Foundation awards grants of $250-$2500 to individuals working with children and young adults to promote an understanding of environmental issues.  Projects must help young people develop planning and problem solving skills and focus on hands-on involvement.  For more information visit the Captain Planet Foundation website<http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html>.

10.  Gifted Kids in the News
        Read an article from the Boston Globe<http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/01/08/young_inventor_takes_his_responsibilities_seriously/> about a gifted twelve year old who won a $10,000 award for his creative house design.

11.  Getting Creative with Ketchup
        Now in its third year, Heinz invites schools nationwide to help students make a big splash in the world of art by participating in the 2009 Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest. This program allows students to put their love of Ketchup and creativity to the test for a chance at having their art printed on nearly 19.5 million Heinz? Ketchup packets. This year?s contest is packing more excitement into every packet with activities that make learning about food and nutrition fun. The winners also will receive a $1,000 cash prize for the creative achievement. Schools benefit, too! They receive a $1,000 award for art supplies, $1,000 worth of Heinz? Ketchup, and the winner?s art framed.
For more information visit http://www.ketchupcreativity.com/about.aspx

12.  Win $2,500 in Free Technology for Your School
        Educational Resources is offering a $2,500 technology voucher to each of the two schools that can show how they are best at implementing technology for the advancement of student learning. All you have to do is submit an essay detailing the technology used, how it is utilized and how it impacted student achievement. Click on Rules and Regulations for further details. All entries must be submitted by April 1, 2009.  For further details go to:
http://ideas.edresources.com/Ideas/IdeasHome.aspx.

13.  SAT Vocabulary Video Contest
BrainyFlix is a group of MIT alums who are trying to make SAT prep fun and free for all. Their latest project is a nationwide contest in which students compete to create funny, creative videos teaching SAT vocabulary. They will award up to $600 in prize money to the video that receives the most number of votes from viewers. $200 of the prize will go directly to the winner(s) and $400 to the class or school club chosen by that person. To encourage participation, they'll give a contestant 1 free iTunes song for every 5 videos he/she submits or refers (up to the first 1,000 video submissions). To see an example of the kinds of videos they have in mind, please check out http://youtube.com/bosoxclown.  Videos must be submitted by March 16. For more details about the contest, signing up, and to see recently uploaded videos, go to http://www.BrainyFlix.com. For more information contact Jack Yu at jack.yu.is at gmail.com<mailto:jack.yu.is at gmail.com>.

14.  ING Unsung Heroes? ?Rewarding Excellence in America?s Schools
        For more information on over 100 awards ranging from $2000 to $25,000 for creative educational programs, visit http://www.ing-usa.com/us/stellent2/groups/dc/documents/companylobinformation/001143.pdf

15.  Online Training in Differentiation for only $129
        Staff Development for Educators offers an online training on differentiation.  Topics include exploring the basic philosophy of differentiation and several strategies like compacting and tiering instruction, and using interest centers and independent study.  Click here<https://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/oic3/newcrsdes.cgi?name=sde&course=5di&title=Differentiated%5eInstruction%5ein%5ethe%5eClassroom&departmentnum=IP> for more details.

16.  Local Enrichment Resource?Meet Will Shakespeare
Northwest Classical Theater Outreach is a nonprofit organization that takes a live, multimedia-enriched program titled Meet Will Shakespeare into the schools. Part lecture, part dramatic presentation with live acting, audience participation, props, music and a running PowerPoint display, the show gives students and faculty alike a knowledgeable, yet visceral sense of how Shakespeare translates "from the page."  For more information, visit meetwillshakespeare.org<http://meetwillshakespeare.com/index.html>

17.  Identifying Gifted Students from Poverty
        Dr. Paul Slocumb from Aha! Process published a book in 2000 titled Removing the Mask: Giftedness in Poverty.  Although some of the information is slightly outdated with current federal education legislation, there are still very practical suggestions for identifying and serving students who are gifted and from an economically disadvantaged background.  Additionally, he provides alternative assessment instruments to use when searching for these students.  For more information on the assessment instruments go to http://www.ahaprocess.com/store/Materials.html.  For more information on his book go to http://www.ahaprocess.com/store/Books.html.  To enter your name in a raffle for a free copy email me at stacey.figgins at state.or.us<mailto:stacey.figgins at state.or.us> by February 11, 2009.

18.  Creating and Using Anchoring Activities
        What can teachers do for TAG students who always finish their work faster than other students because their rate of learning is so quick?  One strategy is to have anchoring activities planned.  These are activities that students can work on independently while the class is finishing up something else.  Anchoring activities should never be ?busy work.?  Instead, they should see to enrich or extend learning that is connected to the curriculum.  For an excellent overview on anchoring activities, visit http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/enriched/giftedprograms/moreaboutanchors.shtm.

19.  Scholarship for Gifted Students in Grades 3-6
        The Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2008-2009 NAGC-NICHOLAS GREEN OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD.  Applicants should be in grades 3-6 this year and may be nominated by themselves, their parent/guardian, teacher, or another group or person for demonstrating excellence in visual or performing arts, academics, or leadership.  The winner will receive:
a $500 Savings Bond,
a certificate of excellence from the NAGC,
a complimentary one-year family membership to OATAG,
complimentary one-year subscription to A Different Drummer,
and free admission to the 2009 OATAG Conference where the award will be presented.
Applications and complete rules may be downloaded from http://www.oatag.org/Opportunities/Opportunities/Green.html

20.  Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program
The Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program seeks to open doors to the worlds of science and technology for Oregon?s youth, by delivering the FIRST<http://www.ortop.org/ftc/overview.htm> programs to 6- to 18-year-old youngsters, with a focus on reaching those who might not otherwise participate because of their race, gender, or socio-economic status. In addition to FIRST Tech Challenge, ORTOP also implements Jr. FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League.  To accomplish its mission, ORTOP uses three programs developed and distributed by the FIRST<http://www.ortop.org/fll/overview.htm>, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, an internationally recognized educational foundation. These three programs are FIRST LEGO League<http://www.ortop.org/fll/index.htm>, Junior FIRST LEGO League<http://www.ortop.org/jfll/index.htm> and FIRST Tech Challenge<http://www.ortop.org/ftc/index.htm>. ORTOP is a program of the Oregon University System but is almost entirely volunteer driven. Here is an overview of ORTOP Programs.<http://www.ortop.org/Documents/ORTOP_Overview2008.pdf>

21.  Real Life Application for Mathematics Lesson
FlyByMath offers a fresh look at traditional distance-rate-time problems by asking students to study math problems related to planning flight patterns.  For more information visit http://smartskies.nasa.gov/.

22.  Current Events on Social Issues
        This article on a high school?s first integrated prom in 2008 might be useful in a lesson plan.  Click here for the full article.<http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090116/ENT/90116023/-1/frontpagetabmodule-1V>

23.  Sharing Resources for Gifted Services
        This article about creative resource sharing for gifted students in Ohio might spark ideas for comparable collaboration in Oregon, particularly within an ESD region.  Click here for the full article.<http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090115/NEWS01/301150097/1055/NEWS>

24.  Win Up to $10,000 for Increasing Equity
        Teaching Tolerance is accepting letters of inquiry that will be considered for full grant proposals from schools or districts for programs that seek to increase equity among groups that have been underrepresented or underserved.  This may be a wonderful way to get some additional funds for TAG projects in your district that fit these criteria.   The deadline is March 14, 2009.  For more information, visit http://www.tolerance.org/teach/grants/schoolgrants.jsp.

25. Check Out Teacher Updates in Other Content Areas
There are fabulous Teacher Updates being published monthly in other content
areas like foreign language, social studies, and mathematics. You can subscribe to
them by visiting: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1843<http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1843>

26. How to Submit Articles
If you would like to submit information for this newsletter, please email
publication-ready short articles by the end of the month to stacey.figgins at state.or.us<mailto:stacey.figgins at state.or.us>.
Please include links and contact information but no attachments.

27. In Every Issue?Internet Resources
Oregon Department of Education TAG
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=76<http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?=76>
ERIC - Educational Resources Information Center
http://www.eric.ed.gov/<http://www.eric.ed.gov>
Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG)
http://www.sengifted.org/<http://www.sengifted.org>
Council for Exceptional Children
http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
National Association for Gifted Children
www.nagc.org<http://www.nagc.org>
Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted
www.oatag.org<http://www.oatag.org>
REAL - Resources for Educational Achievement and Leadership
http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/real/
Get Ready Oregon web page: New Oregon Diploma information for the general public
http://www.getreadyoregon.org
Oregon Diploma web page: Resources and tools for educators
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=368<http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?=368>
Contact the Education Specialist in TAG
Stacey Figgins, stacey.figgins at state.or.us<mailto:stacey.figgins at state.or.us> (503) 947-5701
****Disclaimer--The materials contained in the Oregon Talented and Gifted Teacher Update produced by
Oregon Department of Education are drawn from both internal and external sources and inclusion of
external materials does not necessarily indicate Oregon Department of Education endorsement.****




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From Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us  Wed Feb 18 15:26:27 2009
From: Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us (FIGGINS Stacey)
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:26:27 -0800
Subject: [Tag-Info] Reminder: Mini-Grant Application due February 27th
Message-ID: <C6CB341AA8C9864D8EC69C75D20FD1CBAF6A36E6@ode-mail>


Teachers interested in applying for the TAG Teacher Mini-Grant need to have applications mailed in by February 27th, 2009.
To access the complete information go to:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/announcements/announcement.aspx?=4557
Please note that there is an additional pre-approved class listed for the University of Oregon.

Stacey Figgins
Education Specialist, Talented and Gifted
Oregon Department of Education
Public Services Building
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, Oregon  97310
stacey.figgins at state.or.us
503) 947-5701



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From Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us  Thu Feb 26 10:20:57 2009
From: Stacey.Figgins at state.or.us (FIGGINS Stacey)
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:20:57 -0800
Subject: [Tag-Info] Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Message-ID: <C6CB341AA8C9864D8EC69C75D20FD1CBBA3EC12D@ode-mail>






Stacey Figgins
Education Specialist, Talented and Gifted
Oregon Department of Education
Public Services Building
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, Oregon  97310
stacey.figgins at state.or.us
503) 947-5701



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