Thursday Half-Day Sessions, May 3, 2012

	A.M. 8:30-11:30	P.M. 1:00-4:00
Session A  Susan Winebrenner	Grades K-5	Grades 5-12
Session B  Brian Housand	All grades	All grades
Session C  Lori Lennon	Middle school	Elementary
Session D  Linda Sheffield	Grades K-5	Middle school

 

Session A: A Model for Success: Using Cluster Grouping for Differentiation:   A.M. Grades K-5, P.M. Grades 5-12 – Half day

The Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM) is both a practical and innovative approach  for extending real challenge to gifted students in the regular classroom. It allows for increased flexibility in meeting a wide range of student GIEP needs, and does so in a manner that doesn’t break the bank. Implementing this model has the potential to raise achievement for all students. This workshop is equally interesting and useful for both administrators and teachers.

Susan Winebrenner is an internationally recognized leader in the field of gifted education. What Susan does best, and in the most engaging manner, is help educators to translate educational research into classroom practice. Her ideas and hands-on suggestions for making the classroom come alive for gifted kids really work, and are based on solid research and her own rich experiences. She is the author of several books and teaching resources, including Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom, and her latest best seller, The Cluster Grouping Handbook with Dina Brulles.

Session B: Technology with Purpose: The Gifted Learner Connection: A.M. and P.M. – Half day

Gifted students typically possess skills that are particularly effective when using today’s technology, specifically for abstract thinking and rapid processing. This timely workshop will describe how to prepare gifted students to use technology in an academic and thought provoking manner. It will demonstrate substantive ways to get students to think critically, and use this key tool to become the creative problem solvers they should be – in other words, to develop the 21^st century tech literacy skills and habits.

Dr. Brian Housand is an assistant professor in the department of Curriculum and Instruction, and coordinator of the Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program at East Carolina University. Dr. Housand earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut’s National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented with an emphasis in both gifted education and instructional technology. His column, “Technology Untangled,” appears in the NAGC publication Teaching for High Potential.

Session C: Understanding Executive Functioning: Unlocking Potential for the Gifted Underachiever: A.M. Middle School - P.M. Elementary

What is Executive Functioning? Why is it important for both educators and parents of the gifted to understand its role when dealing with the self-regulating, underachieving, and the sometimes frustrating aspects of their behaviors? This presentation will provide an overview of executive functioning deficits as they relate to gifted learners, and explore some practical strategies to unlock potential and improve achievement. Come learn about the complex neuropsychological concept of executive functioning and its everyday connection to classroom learning and home life tasks.

Dr. Lori Lennon is a nationally certified School Psychologist with the Central Bucks School District since 2000.  She currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the graduate School Psychology Program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Dr. Lennon regularly conducts psychoeducational and gifted student evaluations, and provides consultation with school staff and parents in developing academic, behavioral and affective interventions. She is often called on to share her expertise and present workshops about the underachieving gifted students to parents, teachers, other school psychologists and counselors. 

Session D: Mentoring Young Mathematicians: How to challenge the K-5 Gifted and Advanced Learner: A.M. only

The presenter of this workshop has been at the forefront of the Javits-funded Project M3 and the NSF-funded Project M2 initiatives. This session will demonstrate how to use these projects’ key instructional principles, examples, up-to-date practices, and assessments as resources for increasing math challenge. A must attend workshop for both general and gifted education teachers.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, Regents Professor Emerita of Mathematics Education at Northern Kentucky University, is a co-author of Math Innovations, a middle grades mathematics series, the Javits-funded Project M3: Mentoring Mathematical Minds and the NSF Project M2: Mentoring Young Mathematicians. Dr. Sheffield is nationally recognized for the many years of work, research, and classroom applications she has accomplished in the field of education for the gifted, and for raising the bar in mathematics for these students. Among the approximately 50 books that she has authored and co-authored are The Peak in the Middle; Extending the Challenge in Mathematics and Awesome Math Problems for Creative Thinking.

Session D: The Peak in the Middle: Developing Mathematically Gifted Students in the Middle Grades: P.M. only

Gifted students need a curriculum that is differentiated by level, complexity, breadth, and depth, and is taught at a more rapid rate. This workshop will provide both the rationale for offering advanced mathematical concepts and content in middle grades. In addition, it will offer valuable information to assist teachers and curriculum leaders in creating a responsive and challenging mathematical experience for the advanced learners-while also attending to the GIEP needs for both acceleration and/or enrichment.