Giftedness and sharing a global interest in Awareness… Holland

Gifted and ….   the Dutch Day of the Gifted..

The 26th of May will be the Dutch Day of the Gifted,  or   the  Dag van  de  Hoogbegaafdheid,      and a lovely season to be celebrating this topic.

 

It is wonderful to see yet another day celebrating giftedness in yet another country in the world.  Like the lovely tulips that Holland is so famous for we hope that the notion of having annual events within countries will continue to grow and spread.  I recently wrote a poem on gifted comparing them to Orchids.. one flower, with so many different faces.  Well it has struck me that the humble tulip, which  has been carefully nurtured and developed by the Dutch people into a bloom  can also have an incredible variety of colours and shapes too… each unique and wonderful in itself.  This to then could also apply to the uniqueness of our gifted, and knowing many of the committed folk in the Netherlands personally, who are doing such good work, and tirelessly researching, supporting and providing for these children and the adults they will become, I am sure they are in safe hands.  Hopefully, as we look into the future of Dutch gifted education, and the unique people it will produce, we will see a field of many colours, the unique, strong and delicate shapes all standing tall and beautiful as they sway in the breezes of all that they will become.

The Dutch day of the Gifted has been now been added to the International Awareness Days collection, which I am putting together for the WCGTC for this year 2012, and will join many others as part of  a growing number already there.  Hopefully this list will grow and grow and will be showcased at the WCGTC2013 in New Zealand.

If your country has not yet planned an annual celebration for your gifted, perhaps you might take heart and consider planning for one in your neck of the world.  If you do please let me know, so I can add it to the growing number of those that are doing so.

I would like to add my support for this, the Netherlands and their Gifted, and encourage others to show their support perhaps by also writing a small blog, or spreading the news of their awareness raising efforts, through their own social or professional  networks.

An example of this comes from Mary St. George in New Zeleand who writes:

In the Netherlands, the 26th of May will be Dag van de Hoogbegaafdheid - the Day of Giftedness. As we anticipate this event, it seems like a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge our shared challenges, our togetherness, as we advocate for gifted people, and especially our gifted children, around the planet.

Our education systems differ from country to country, but we seem to find ourselves wrestling with many of the same dilemmas.

In her blog she attempts to answer  three questions which she feels  seem to reach across the oceans and borders that divide us, and you can read about them here.

May you have a most wonderful celebration!!!! ;-D

Giftedness and nurturing blooms

‘The Gifted like Orchids Bloom… ‘

(by Leslie Graves)

The Gifted are like the Orchid Blooms

the many shapes, and coloured hues

delight the eye, some with  perfume

each dancinng to their unique tune

It may seem easy, a pot with  rim

with earth, food, water, and hanging tins

from the outside, when  looking in

meeting their needs, growing these things

However each is unusual, special, and  rare

they take quite a bit of individual care

without wisdom and gentleness, one must beware

blooms remain buds, growing vines remain bare

Although, each individual, within this group

share some similarities, yes they do

the differences there, between any two

mean each may play a separete tune

And for each beautiful blossom to play

open, unfurling, a dramatic display

so to, like an orchid, gifted children I say,

must be grown, in a particular kind of clay!.

by @Leslinks (that’s me!!)

1. Gifted and interested..in…MATH

This picture is from a very nice website called 'MathisFun' which is also included in my Math livebinder. I would ask that you visit it, with your students/children.. explore and have fun!!

‘Gifted and Interested … in.. MATH.. ‘

In this first of a series of 10 interest based pieces, in which  a number of links will be shared and discussed briefly in terms of how they may be useful in keeping certain students minds open to a subject that they could easily lose interest in, if very advanced, and being mainstreamed, or alternatively, may have no interest in due to a number of reasons, or feel that they have no use for past basic computation skills useful for buying items at a local mall.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I believe it can be useful to have an unusual collection of resources that just might keep a spark or interest alive in a subject for a student, thus allowing for continued engagement, this may be by linking it to another subject that you as the students teacher/parent or mentor may suspect would be met with a positive reception.  With this in mind, I recommend taking time to reflect about each student/child and write down what you have observed that they are into, or that you believe they may enjoy.. and then secondly think about how this could be linked or have relevance to the topic that is to be taught… in this instance we are talking Math.  Maybe you have a child that is/is not advanced/interested in Math, but also has a strong interest in Nature/gardening.  You  might be starting a collection of links or other activities based around these two themes as long as they are connected.  These then could be used/sprinkled throughout the year during lesson time or just spare time, to keep a student/child thinking and engaging with the subjects. Also to teach how interconnected subjects can be and why one may be necessary in real life at times, in order to fully understand and enjoy another.. and it’s intristic beauty..

To get you started, I am going to share a few items from my livebinders, in particular, and for this post the Livebinder on Math which I feel may be useful for some.  The binder is,  as all my binders are,  not very well organised, but does contain a wealth of links. I think of it more like a treasure chest that needs to be rummaged through as one looks for meaningful bits of treasure… you never know what you will find within.

Math and Nature 

A very visual way to show students how Math and our Natural World are connected would be to use videos such as this:

[you,tube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGeOWYOFoA]

Another wonderful video, from How stuff works,  explains the connections between the two, just beautifully, click on the link below:

Understanding mathematics and Nature

It also explains geometric connections… this in turn, should one think it helpful, could also be applied to the idea that shapes, such as these are also integral to other disciplines such as Art, architecture and can come into play in many other subjects… Ask students to think how a triangle may be/relate to history?,  Strategical military planning ?, Gardening?…..   speaking of gardening…. take a look at the following links:

The Cosmic Garden- is a very special garden in England that is only open once a year for a limited time. It is laid out in all kinds of Mathematical pathways, shapes, structures, flower beds, bridges and forms… This would make a good field trip for anyone living nearby, or alternatively give ideas for a revamping project of a schools own garden… Could some of these ideas be adapted to suit? Would student(s) take on a challenge to build/plant a small mathematical cosmic garden at home/school grounds?

Labyrinth- or Mazes as they are more commonly known, also involve numbers and math… it may interest students to know that they are not only found in activity books or on sheets of paper… but there are many many different kinds, including living growing mazes in a number of gardens, both older historical ones, and more modern ones,  in different countries in the world.. There are even some that are made out of corn fields, or Maize Mazes,  and appear and disappear each year!!   Could students work out how to grow one?,  a mini one that perhaps a class hamster could negotiate?,  Or alternatively if living in a rural farming/corn/growing community could a school or class plan and see if they could  grow one over a year… A project that could yield fundraising money for the school, as students open the Maize Maze to the public a month before harvest, and could charge an entry fee….

Apart from these wonderful growing things links, there are loads of ways to explore … and a number of additional links to do so can be found by digging around a little in my math livebinder…

Math and Music?

There are connections between Math and Music… which might surprise but also spark interest in students who may have a passion for both or either..

Leibniz once said that “music is the pleasure the human mind experiences from counting without being aware that it is counting”.  -  is a quote taken from this site called ‘Music of the Primes‘-  that has a wealth of information and resources

The Prime number listening Guide – calls itself – ‘a noisy introduction to prime number theory…’   — it has some good interactive and noisy activities…

Where Math meets Music  explores sound wave patterns, frequency and sound engineering

Harmony and proportion explores math in musical harmonies and interestingly linking back to philosophers (this could also have scope for those students who may enjoy classics… )

Feel free to explore my Math Livebinder by clicking below, for links such as these related to

Math and Art Math and Arquitecture Math and Food Math and Codes Math and Cards Math and knitting/quilts Math and cats Math and Real World Math and well, just a whole lot of things on this planet that we all share…

Happy hunting!!!  I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and  have found that the information that has been shared has been in some way helpful. Remember, this livebinder, and many others can also be accessed through the useful link tab from the top menu bar of this blog.

Which livebinder will I share and explore with folks next Monday?  Well, come back again and find out in 7 days time!!

Yours in gifted

Leslinks ;-D

Giftedness and interested in…..

This shape is based on twelve 5-sided units like a dodecahedron. But they bump out, so the form is more like a small stellated dodecahedron. This was designed by Norah Gaughan, who provides instructions in this Berroco pattern, from a link found on the Math Mondays site. (This image of her work, comes from from a wonderful blog site called Math Mondays by George Hart for the mathematics Museum , click on this image to explore that site, the caption on the site also gives details and credit to the creator of the image found above and a link to the pattern as well)

‘Gifted and Interested… in ….’

Often, and in reality, it can be difficult to find the time to provide full on programs for gifted kids both in the classroom or at home, as life and things just seem to get the better of us, or time…. that elusive and precious element.. time… just seems to be lacking..  when this happens, it is important to keep in mind that the most important of all things is to keep a student interested, and to avoid disengagement if at all possible..  In my experience one way of doing this is to try and identify interests and then feed those interests, even in small doses, through the subjects you are needing to teach.. a few unusual attention grabbing links can go a long way to keep a few sparks alive.. and that in a nutshell is the whole point I would think.  Picture and Arty or Home Ec student taking part in a Math crochet or knitting project.. hmmm

Many of you are aware that I have not written for a while, some of you know the reasons why.  I would say that mostly it is because my energies  have been needed elsewhere, and necesitated putting my blog on a shelf for a bit.  However, my readers are important to me, and  It enjoy their contact and sharing helpful info.  So I have thought that maybe it might be fun to write a series of posts, on specific subjects related to my livebinder collections, that might be useful to folks who are working with Gifted or Exceptionally Able students (or may be gifted themselves) and could be looking for resources or added interest in a particular area….

As I have a gazillion Livebinders on a wide and broad range of subjects, there should be something which will be of use to folks over the next while… please let me know if you enjoy any of the choices I offer for your enjoyment, and also, if there is a subject, that you would like to see a collection of , that you would think might be useful to many, please also let me know.. I will do my best to put together a collection for you and others to share..  Stay tuned in Mondays… first Post in this series will be:

‘Gifted and interested..in… MATH

Hoping it will be enjoyable and that you find some treasures to keep the spark alive.. ;-D

Namibia Gifted Education Awareness Week

 

It is always exciting to hear of a new country being proactive and raising awareness of its talented and able youth.  I am particularly pleased with this initiative because it means that there is an additional map and details which I can add to the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children’s Slide Share collection of countries around the world who are staging annual awareness events .  It will be nice to add Namibia, and include its name and to record its gifted awareness raising efforts in the World  Celebrations.

Culturally, Namibia seems to have a great artistic tradition that stretches back through its history, and is evidenced from its ancient rock paintings,  to more contemporary but exquisitely and beautifully  woven baskets, which provide an income to many families.  It is easy to see that colour and life are part of the Namibian soul by just looking at the fine art some of the most talented in their country has produced.

There is great poverty,   great wealth and an education system that  appears to be lacking in many resources, however it is also a brave country, with brave gifted advocates of its own, who are struggling to support both their academically gifted students and to maintain their traditionally artistic and talented communities.

I am sure that Namibia will benefit greatly from partnering with Roya Klinger, her work and her wealth of experience both in giftedness and artistic talent.

I want to wish all of Namibia great success with their Gifted Education Awareness Week, and thank Roya for asking me to participate in this blogtour in support of same.

 

 

Encounters with Giftedness and writing with dragons

I was remembering a group of students I was working with on a writing workshop long ago.. it was a story about dragons on a different planet.  Not very innovative, granted, as there are many stories out there about dragons.  However, it was writers choice, so there you go.  Kids like dragons.  Gifted kids not excluded.  The difference was, they decided that each dragon had to be part of the same story, however each dragon would have a special strength, that would help them on a quest, a strength that  would  be  linked to their  riders in some  way. The idea being that this would get them to reflect on their inner selves and what they felt their strengths were, and how this would manifest in another (their dragons).  (the writers were the riders.. you understand)… they would be searching the planet for a ‘lost dragon egg’.. (no novelty there either I am sure.. )…  None of the students in this group in school had been identified as particularly able.  The interesting thing  about this story was the identification of one young lads perception of his strength and how this was displayed.  Jake ( a fictitious name), was rather quiet, timid and seemed reluctant to join into the conversation, however oddly, his eyes seemed to off into another place, as the possibilities within the story idea where being discussed.  A few minutes were given for the participants to draw a rough picture of their Dragons, which many did, complete with some of the various features associated with the ‘strengths and abilities’ they wished to attribute to their steeds.

We had many large and ferocious beasts, most breathed fire, had talons and special magic powers. Some were strong and athletic looking.  Some were very smart, and could mind read, or outsmart enemies.  Some were very colourful. We had a kind one that could heal others with it’s breath.  Jake, now Jake worked on his slowly and carefully, and was one  of the last to show me his  sketch. I was  taken aback by it’s unusual nature, as unlike the others it was not quite as big or bold or colourful.  Jake’s dragon not only wore glasses (like Jake), it was drawn in black ink, and constructed from swirls and curls, graphic artish, with large and beautiful wings.  More interestingly, instead of claws or talons, his dragon had pen nubs at the end of each toe on each foot..  When I asked him to tell me about this wonderfully intriguing creature, he replied ‘Well, as I am am ‘actually’ only  good at  writing, and  I am not very strong, at sport or anything, I thought I would give my dragon the power to ‘Rewrite’.  If I don’t like the way the story is going, or we need to change it than my dragons feet have the power to do that…..  ‘  Wow..

I think that was a powerful gift for a dragon to have…  I also think this was rather a good example of outside the box thinking from Jake.  A sign of potential giftedness, maybe??  As a teacher, would I be giving this kid a second look?  I like think about Jake now and then and wonder.  I’d like to think he’s doing alot of rewriting and writing and that someday I may be reading and rereading his stories… ;-D

On Giftedness and Creativity- Lost and Found

Sometimes, as teachers and/or parents, in our busy worlds we can forget how much of an influence we may have on those precious souls in our care..  the emergence of a rare talent/creativity in any form, can often be tentative, and fragile and unsure.. often a product of  incredible sensitivity. It can be  most painfully squashed, and take years if  ever, to  have the confidence to appear again… often only if  met by another who understands..

“Unforgotten”

(by me!!- Leslie S. Graves)

You asked us

to draw a beautiful memory

We each had

Lovely coloured crayons

supplied

a blank paper and eyes

opened wide

We were only four, some of us

were even five

with tumbling fingers

scribbling hard, each

Hoping our picture

would please teacher

Ah..but I was one who considered

before I scribbled

and instead of dreamy shapes

I drew a train

complete with whistles, coal and flame

on tracks,

It’s engineer waved a cane

and shouted

‘ALL ABOARD’

You were working at

your desk

Did not notice, pick mine

out from  the rest

At the end of the day

during circle time

you asked us to identify

and take home our

drawing

Mine came up, next  to last

two hands came up

You who failed to see

my hand that worked so

diligently

Gave it not to me

but to another child

And then you wondered

why I cried and

would not love the

Circle left on that

last sheet as if it were my own

I would never draw again

Until many years had flown

Until a kind man

In another school saw a

doodle in a book

With passion

His eyes wide open

His heart sincere and true

Placed a pencil back into

my hand

and said.. welcome home

'Hello World'- Drawing by Leslie S. Graves- 2011

On Giftedness, School and a Disquieting Feeling

On Giftedness, School and a Disquieting Feeling

‘ Ever and Never’

by Me! (Leslie Graves)

I see a light

a bright warm light

and drawn like the moth

I fly near

I like the way

it flickers, colours sway

However, I must be wary

Lest the fire

burns bright

Brings instead more pain

Than ever and never knowledge gained

Giftedness and International Day of the Gifted – Part 2: ‘Flying Our Communal Global Gifted Awareness Kite- A Sharing of Wisdom and Awareness Gatherings- the Second Tail/Tale’

Giftedness and International Day of the Gifted – Part 2:  ‘Flying Our Communal Global Gifted Awareness Kite-   A Sharing of Wisdom and  Awareness Gatherings- the Second Tail/Tale’

 

Yup.  We do have a lovely kite, just waiting to be flown.

In the first part of this series, I mentioned, the establishment  of ‘ The International Day for the Gifted’, by the WCGTC.  The establishment of this day was based on two observations.

In part one, I spoke about  a  noted desire for a some sort of a World Wide gifted/high ability kids day,  both in the past and then the one that had been campaigned for by  a ‘Cause face book,  page’ over social networks, and initiated by Roya Klinger about a year or so ago.  There were a fair number of followers, coming from a wide range of countries and cultures from around the globe.  When requested to produce a video, for the International Day of Giftedness,  Roya graciously accepted, and, with the help of all these wonderful members of our gifted community,  she made full use of the opportunity that they were given, on the day, to highlight and celebrate gifted kids around the world. Both Roya and those that contributed are to be commended for the inclusion of content, and the production of the video entitled ‘International Day of Gifted Children’., a most beautiful bow to tie onto the German tail on our Kite..  In the spirit of communal sharing, Roya has uploaded this video onto a UTube format, and has been happy for the global gifted community to share this in the interest of raising awareness of gifted children around the world.  See part one.

The other, or second observation,  and the MAIN subject of this post, was  a noted  upsurge, in recent years,  of a number of awareness movements, in various guises, celebrating giftedness across a broader span of subjects and ages, both kids and adults (Innovation, Parenting, Talent Awareness, Gifted Education, and more), that had started to crop up in different countries/parts of the world.~ The Perception that these movements are positive vehicles for change that might benefit from/ or increase in number if given a broader platform of world recognition, was a second major driver.

These efforts were being driven by adults, often gifted adults who through their actions where seeking to support giftedness, talent and creativity not only in children but across life spans.  Gifted children grown up, and giving back.

• Note: It is for this reason , after much deliberation, between different ideas and terminologies, that the name The International Day of the Gifted, was finally chosen by the WCGTC, as an over arching term, for this day. The gifted do start out as children,  and having awareness of their needs, their talents/gifts is extremely important. However, they do not stay as children but do/will need support and validation as they move along the continuum of growing up.  Efforts in these directions need to be encouraged and celebrated as well, and the adults they become. Many of these gifted children grow up and then return, using their talents to work on efforts supporting next generation gifted.

The Gifted Photo Quote Project, was/is a response to this second theme, allowing for ongoing contributions from those wishing to raise awareness, and to share their contributions/experiences with all other individuals or  gifted awareness raising efforts around the world, a second bow for our kite was born.  This bow, this photo quote project , which could/can be added to and used by the entire gifted community, was suggested by Mary St. George in New Zealand.  The idea being that it would become a communal archive of photo quotes used to raise awareness.  Mary credits the original use/idea of a format like this to group Purpose Education   The project was set up through a flikr account in June 2011, and can be seen, added to, or accessed here.  These are all just wonderful, and it is important to acknowledge all these wonderful contributions, from the global gifted community, and to all those in the future who will hopefully continue to contribute and use them. Bows attached to the New Zealand tail/tale….

A sampling of these images were/are displayed,  in Royas wonderful video, which, again, serves to remind us of who all these raising awareness efforts are for, the most vulnerable in our community, the  gifted/high ability kids. A larger number of these images/quotes   also were/are displayed as part of the background power point presentation displayed during the first celebration at the conference. See presentation here.

International Day of the Gifted-3

 

In this display, there also  lies the ‘Third tale/tail’:   in which it is hoped that more countries will attach their tails to this  communal global gifted awareness kite.  A lead into the Year of Giftedness and Creativity.  All of  which will be explored more in depth in Part 3.  In brief however:

In keeping with   the purpose of the International Day of the Gifted, as that of Celebrating gifted children, who will become gifted youth and then adults,  AND showcasing efforts to raise awareness of gifted around the world, I felt it really important t to actively engage and encourage other countries to think about initiating a national day/week on which to celebrate their gifted and talented children/populations. With this in mind,  and before the conference,  the global gifted community over the networks were asked for help collecting information on a number of these days/weeks. The  Power point  presentation I created  also included this information.  As seen, each initiative has it’s own slide display , to include the title, map and web contact if supplied.  These Celebratory Awareness Slides are nestled amongst the number of  photo quotes  images used for the background display at the Celebration at 19^th   WCGTC World Conference.

It was/is my hope that by sharing/making  this presentation available here, and on slide share, which also has a link to the flikr photo quote site on it, that more countries will become encouraged, and we can/will add  more slides to the presentation as these national/state/province efforts are established/ around the world develop.  The presentation has seven countries so far, and I would encourage anyone who has information on others that they would like to add, or have been missed,  to  please leave a comment here,  or contact the WCGTC through the website or face book page.  The additions will be gladly  and joyfully made.  As each of these slides are added, another tail is added onto out kite,  a tail on which to add the bows: news of any awareness activities, events or steps forward each/your country may be having and brings us closer to our Kites  launch..adding more and more colours and making it more visible to all.

More gentle hands together , and suggested how’s to holding  on to it’s string…  in Part three ;-D

Giftedness and musing on my blog

This is a blog that speaks about Giftedness, often and primarily about what it may feel like to be so.. it strives to capture at times the essense of what/ how this may look or appear to others. It celebrates the unsung parents and teachers who may be leading these individuals on their journey to a more hopeful and successful adulthood. It occationally strives to show a snapshot of what this journey may mean to these supporters. Gifted, Talented and Creative people, young or old are not all the same, often have great unevenness in developmental areas, and sensitivities which can cause exquisite joy, but equally almost unbearable pain. The words I write here, and the information,poetry and links that I share is my contirbution to raising awarness. My Gift to the community to which I belong.