Recently, we’ve been asked by parents for information about the law on gifted education. N.J.A.C. 6A-8, Standards and Assessment for Student Achievement, includes specific requirements for gifted and talented programs in New Jersey. Here is a link to the New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) web site, which outlines the state requirements:

http://www.state.nj.us/education/aps/cccs/g_and_t_req.htm

NJDOE also provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding Gifted Education:

http://www.state.nj.us/education/aps/cccs/faq_gandt.htm

For more information, please visit the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children Web Site at:
www.njagc.org

Gifted children and adults are at high risk for being identified as ADD. Most people, including most medical professionals, do not realize giftedness is often associated with the following behaviors:

* underachieving
* anger and frustration
* high energy, intensity, fidgeting, impulsivity
* individualistic, nonconforming, stubborn
* disorganization, sloppy, poor handwriting
* forgetful, absentminded, daydreams
* emotional, moody
* low interest in details

click to read the entire article

Here’s this year’s chess club flyer.

and here’s the registration form.

Sign up quickly!

CommonGround is a collaborative effort of the Parent Associations of thirteen Princeton area independent schools.

Each year CommonGround sponsors a lecture series featuring distinguished speakers who address contemporary educational and parenting issues.

Check it out here: http://www.princetoncommonground.org

We’ll also put a permanent link in the column on the left!

The NATIONAL TALENT NETWORK’S 4TH ANNUAL GIFTED & TALENTED LEARNING FAIR

Wednesday, OCTOBER 1, 2008 begins the 4th Annual Gifted & Talented Learning Fair. This 1-day conference explores instructional practices that address the education of high ability children. An exciting selection of workshops is offered for G&T Teachers, Coordinators, Curriculum Supervisors, and Administrators.

Presenters and presentation topics are as follows:

Dr. Susanne Richert Overcoming Gifted Underachievement in the NCLB Era: Advanced Proficiency for the Gifted

Mary Geschel Making Algebra Child’s Play

Mary Lou Dordan Discovering FREE Resources available to teach Stem Curricula

Attend all three workshops for only $75 Including complementary lunch and professional development credit!

The conference will be held at Educational Information & Resource Center (EIRC), 606 Delsea Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080. Check the NTN/EIRC website at www.eirc.org/ntn or call 856-582-7000 ext. 135 or 136 for more conference and registration information, including presenter biographies and workshop descriptions

Math can be a daunting experience. Remember? Wondering about how to challenge and motivate your child? Check out this article on Mathkinz.com. It’s a local project!

And go visit their website.

Barnes & Nobel are running a summer reading club for kids in grades 1-6. They read 8 books and then fill out a questionnaire about the books and in return get a free book. This site explains it the requirements:

I hope you’re having a fun summer!

Check out the website of New Jersey’s State Museum.

The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street in Trenton within walking distance of the State House.

At least, that’s what an article in the NY Times is reporting:

Projections show that by next year or the year after, the annual number of high school graduates in the United States will peak at about 2.9 million after a 15-year climb. The number is then expected to decline until about 2015. Most universities expect this to translate into fewer applications and less selectivity, with most students probably finding it easier to get into college.

read it all.

Please plan to attend this lecture by Jean Kilbourne, PhD titled “Deadly Persuasion: The Advertising Industry’s Seduction of Our Youth” on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 from 7:30-9:00pm at The Lawrenceville School’s Kirby Arts Center. The lecture is free and open to the general public.

The EQUITY meeting scheduled for Thursday, 1/17/08 has been CANCELLED due to the winter storm.

From the Washington Post:

By Maria Glod
Joanne Tegethoff teaches algebra. Never mind that her students carry Disney princess and Thomas the Tank Engine backpacks and have the alphabet taped on their desks. The Montgomery County first-graders one recent afternoon were learning to write “number sentences” to help Lucy Ladybug. “Lucy wakes… (click to read story)

Read all about it. From Scientific American.

Rush, Little Baby: How the push for infant academics may actually be a waste of time - or worse.
boston.com

In Science Classrooms, a Blast of Fresh O2
New York Times

Schools Raise Bar for Classes for the Gifted (NYC)
New York Times

Here’s a blog site with lots of good info, great ideas, and resources