Gifted Child Today articles from June 2005

Gifted Child Today archives from June 2005

Special issue: gifted students and technology.(from the guest editor)
June 22, 2005... Technologies that seemed miraculous 5 years ago are commonplace today. We live in a world in which gifted students seamlessly interface with advanced technologies on a daily basis. For them, technology is more than a tool with which to...

Scoring the SAT essays.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Approximately 2,400 trained people evaluated the 330,000 SAT essays in just 10 days, with each essay receiving a score from two readers (Hoover, E. [2005, April 22], "And on the 11th Day, the Readers Rested," The Chronicle of Higher Education,...

College completion rates.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Less than 60% of students finish college within 6 years (One Step From the Finish Line: Higher College Graduation Rates Are Within Our Reach, Education Trust, 2005). The Education Trust found that "similar" institutions based on SAT scores,...

Growth in distance learning.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The National Center for Educational Statistics has issued a new report, Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students, that shows significant growth in distance learning, with 1 of every 10 public schools in the...

A Sunken Ship's Tale: http://www.pacmuseum.qc.ca/quebec1690/jeu/english/ intro.htm.(on the web)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Many years ago, near the shores of the St. Lawrence River, a ship sank. No one could identify the ship and no one knows why it was on the St. Lawrence River. It's up to you to solve the mystery by becoming an archaeologist and restorer. This is...

Guinness World Records: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/kidszone.(on the web)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Interested in becoming the world's fastest backwards speller? Or how about creating the world's largest coin column? The Guinness World Records Kids Zone is looking for future world-record breakers. This interesting site provides all of the...

Arts Alive: http://www.artsalive.ca.(on the web)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... For anyone interested in the arts, this site is well worth a visit. It is sponsored by the National Arts Center of Canada and offers visitors a fun, interactive, and educational experience on theatre, music, and dance. On the music pages,...

Seven "stupid arguments" against programs for the gifted.
June 22, 2005... What do professionals do with and for students who have already achieved the benchmarks of the current educational standards? Addressing the divide between those who argue for a similar education for everyone versus those who argue for a...

Tempus fugit: time flies: http://www.nelsonatkins.org/tempusfugit.(on the web)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Why did people throw their clocks out the window? They wanted to see time fly! This is the introductory line to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's online exhibition on the history of time. This visually stunning Web site explores the connection...

The science of baseball: http://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball.(on the web)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Think you can hit a 90-mph fast ball? At this site you can find out for sure! Visitors can also find out about the physics behind a home run. There is also a baseball time machine that has information on some of the greats of the game such as...

Beyond the gap.(Minority Student Achievement Network)
June 22, 2005... For the past 5 years, the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) has held conferences with high-achieving minority students to understand methods for raising the achievement of African and Latino students in U.S. schools (M. Sadowski...

Dr. Mary M. Frasier.(notable)(Obituary)
June 22, 2005... Dr. Mary M. Frasier, a nationally recognized scholar and researcher in gifted education and founder of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development in the University of Georgia's College of Education, passed away on February 3,...

Dr. Tracy Cross.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Council for Exceptional Children's Division for the Gifted awarded its distinguished service award to Dr. Tracy Cross, the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Gifted Studies at Ball State University, executive director of the...

Academic tracking.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Based on cross-national testing data for students in 18 to 26 economically advanced nations, The National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, MA, reported that academic tracking does not improve a nation's overall academic achievement....

Well-being.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... In the report Assessing Gilligan vs. Sommers: Gender Specific Trends in Child and Youth Well-Being in the United States, 1985-2001, Duke scholars have broken down well-being into 28 social indicators and tracked these indicators over time,...

Participation in out-of-school activities.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... What do America's middle and high school students do when they leave school? The Public Agenda organization found that activities ranging from sports, to art and music, to church play an important role in these students' lives. While almost 90%...

Postsecondary Participation Rates.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The National Center for Education Statistics issued Postsecondary Participation Rates by Sex and Race/Ethnicity: 1974-2003, which reports more women than men attending college and all racial groups improving their participation rates. The full...

Comprehensive reform.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... A new guide describes nearly 100 programs and approaches to comprehensive reform for middle and high schools. Works in Progress: A Report on Middle and High School Improvement Programs may be accessed at http://www.csrq.org.

Teaching and learning resources.(notable)
June 22, 2005... More than 30 federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources easier to find. The result of that work is the Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE), which may...

Evidence-based practice.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Winter 2005 issue of Exceptional Children identifies criteria for evidence-based practice in special education. Research methods discussed include experimental, quasi-experimental, single-subject, correlational, and qualitative research...

Teaching ideas for key topics in math and science.(notable)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse identifies Web sites with teaching ideas for key topics in math and science. To view lessons and activities, visit http://www.enc.org/features/lessonplans.

Underrepresented in AP courses.(notable)(Advanced Placement Expansion)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Education Policy Analysis Archives' report The Advanced Placement Expansion of the 1990s: How Did Traditionally Underserved Students Fare? suggests that minorities are underrepresented in AP courses and that few such courses are offered in...

BEST robotics competition.(CONTESTS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... BEST is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like science and engineering-based robotics competition. Each...

The Kids Philosophy Slam.(CONTESTS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Kids Philosophy Slam is an annual program designed to make philosophy fun and accessible to all kids in grades K-12, as well as to help promote critical thinking skills and encourage dialogue with other students and adults. The Philosophy...

John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Essay Contest.(CONTESTS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is a companion activity to the Kennedy Library Foundation's annual Profile in Courage Award, which honors elected officials who have demonstrated exceptional political courage. Students with...

Environmental projects.(grants and awards)(Captain Planet Foundation)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Captain Planet Foundation supports environmental projects for children and youth. All projects must promote understanding of environmental issues; focus on hands-on involvement; involve children and young adults age 6-18; promote...

Innovative professional development programs.(grants and awards)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Davis (Arthur Vining) Foundation supports innovative professional development programs in secondary education that strengthen teachers and their teaching. Special consideration is given to projects in their early stages that address the...

Integrate technology.(grants and awards)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Southwestern Bell Foundation (SBF) supports programs that effectively integrate technology into instruction and administration in K-12 and higher education and initiatives that develop and deliver technology curricula, particularly to...

Thespian Playworks.(CONTESTS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Thespian Playworks is a student writing program that was established as a tribute to Doug Finney, the long-time Thespian Society staff member and Thespian Festival chair who passed away in 1992. Each year, Playworks offers a few young...

Kids Are Authors.(CONTESTS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Kids Are Authors is an annual competition designed to encourage students in grades K-8 to use their reading, writing, and artistic skills to create their own books. Under the guidance of a project coordinator, children work in teams of three or...

Advance science, math, and technology education.(grants and awards)(Intel Foundation)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Intel Foundation supports education through grants for programs that advance science, math, and technology education, particularly for women and underserved populations. Applications are reviewed in the spring. For more information, contact...

Blackwell Medical Scholarship Program.(grants and awards)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Blackwell Medical Scholarship Program provides a full-tuition scholarship for 4 years to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a computer, a guaranteed seat in medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine, and a...

Recognize outstanding teachers of reading and literacy.(grants and awards)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The International Reading Association presents a number of awards and grants each year to recognize outstanding teachers of reading and literacy at all levels and to support teachers' efforts to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. For...

Meetings.(Calendar)
June 22, 2005... SEPTEMBER 29-30 Mississippi Association for Gifted Children conference at Whispering Woods Conference Center in Olive Branch, MS. For more information, please visit http://www.msms.k12.ms.us/MAGC/conference.htm. OCTOBER 7-9...

Improvement of mathematics teaching and learning.(grants and awards)(Mathematics Education Trust)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Mathematics Education Trust supports the improvement of mathematics teaching and learning through the funding of grants, awards, and other projects. These grants focus on...

Women at critical stages of their careers.(grants and awards)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The American Association of University Women supports teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented through postdoctoral research leave...

Youth Garden Grants.(grants and awards)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The National Gardening Association awards 100 Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered outdoor garden programs. Each grant winner receives a $500 gift card from the Home Depot. For more information, visit...

Did you know ...(MEETINGS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... ... 42% of college freshman are secure about spiritual/religious matters. ... 23% of college freshman are seeking more information about spiritual/religious matters. ... 15% of college freshman are conflicted about spiritual/religious...

Needed: teachers to encourage girls in math, science, and technology.
June 22, 2005... "If female underachievement is best measured by the many talented women in our society who look back at their lives with feelings of regret, it then becomes our responsibility to help future generations of gifted and talented females before...

Where's the courage?(au contraire)
June 22, 2005... As someone who has focused his career on teaching and guiding gifted adolescents, I have often wondered why a rift exists between those who advocate for students who are gifted and those whose passions involve middle school education in...

Beyond gaming: a technology explosion in early childhood classrooms.
June 22, 2005... "Oooh, why don't you use Wingdings? That's cool!" "Look at that! It's glopping! Let's make it glop all over!" These 5-year-old children are using new vocabulary to describe font styles in Simple Text and to illustrate their pictures...

Accessing information: the Internet--a highway or a maze?
June 22, 2005... IF YOU HAD TO GO TO A remote area of the country and live for 4 months with only the resources and tools available in the early 1600s and you could take one modern item with you, what would it be? One of the families who participated in the...

Pioneering definitions and theoretical positions in the field of gifted education.(historical perspectives)
June 22, 2005... The previous Historical Perspectives column focused on the foundations of gifted education and the influence that Francis Galton, Alfred Binet, and Cesare Lombroso had in shaping the field. This work seeks to extend the examination of the...

Assessing and addressing teachers' attitudes toward information technology in the gifted classroom.
June 22, 2005... With the increasing complexity and rate of change, self-directed learning and problem-solving become vital, along with interpersonal and team skills. It is evident that new ways of teaching and learning must be devised if our children are to be...

Approaching reading from a critical stance.(NEW products)(In Critical Literacy: Enhancing Students' Comprehension of Text)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2005... When readers comprehend from a critical stance, they see beyond the text, question the author's intent, and seek to understand how they are influenced by the author's message. In Critical Literacy: Enhancing Students' Comprehension of Text...

Parenting advice from those who have been there.(NEW products)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Whether it's a matter of their prodigious talent, outstanding intellect, highly developed social conscience, or dynamic personality, some kids just seem to have been born to be extraordinary. How can parents nurture a child's uniqueness without...

Helping kids make dreams become reality.(NEW products)(In Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2005... In Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives (ISBN 1-59102-280-0), Sandra McLeod Humphrey presents an inspiring collection of biographies to teach youngsters that real-life heroes were once ordinary people whose strength of character helped them...

Reaching and teaching gifted students in the inclusive classroom.(NEW products)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... As the educational system attempts to make classrooms more inclusive, teachers are finding themselves overwhelmed with increased demands, overcrowding, and lack of adequate training in providing appropriate learning opportunities for a wide...

Developing young writers.(NEW products)(Listening to Young Writers: Developing Writing Competency Through Conversation, Encouragement and Assessment)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2005... Listening to Young Writers: Developing Writing Competency Through Conversation, Encouragement and Assessment (ISBN 0-929895-81-9) presents an organized and comprehensive instructional approach to writing instruction that takes into account the...

Object-based inquiry that sparks interest and engages students.(NEW products)(Inquiry-Based Learning Using Everyday Objects: Hands-On Instructional Strategies That Promote Active Learning in Grades 3-8)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 22, 2005... Engaging students in object-based inquiry can encourage them to become more observant, inquisitive, and reflective. In Inquiry-Based Learning Using Everyday Objects: Hands-On Instructional Strategies That Promote Active Learning in Grades 3-8...

From bits and bytes to C++ and Web sites: what is computer talent made of?
June 22, 2005... IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, one doesn't have to look far to find examples of extraordinary computer technology ability. Steve Jobs started Apple at age 21; Bill Gates was only 20 when he created Microsoft. As the world of computer technology continues...