Book review: Writing your own script by Corin Barsily Goodwin and Mika Gustavson

I was really pleased to receive a copy for review of the latest addition to the excellent Perspectives in Gifted Homeschooling Series.
It is ‘Writing your Own Script: A parent’s Role in the Gifted Child’s Social Development’ by Corin Barsily Goodwin and Mika Gustavson.
It is edited by Sarah J. Wilson and published in 2015 by GHF Press.

The timing of the arrival of the book was perfect as it arrived the day before the book was to be discussed during Twitter #gtchat. I found that it was packed with information but was still easy to read and understand and would be very helpful for parents.

The chapter titles reflect the staging of a play
1. Backdrop – What you should know about the gifted child
2. Setting the scene – Friendship and the gifted child
3. Casting – Finding the other players
4. Directing – The parent as guide
5. Showtime – Applying what you know
6. Reviews – Raspberries and applause
Epilogue: Take a bow

The first chapter describes aspects of giftedness that impact on building friendships such as Typical characteristics, Asynchronous development, Twice exceptionalities, Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities, Introversion and Extraversion and Unusual interests.

The second chapter discusses developmental stages and levels of friendship and the third chapter addresses how to find potential friends. Chapter four shows the role parents can take in helping their children to build and maintain friendships and chapters five and six talk about some of the situations that will possibly be encountered.

The book can be purchased from GHF Press http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/

Graphics Lisa Conrad

The blog post about the session of Twitter #gtchat dedicated to discussion of the book can be found on the Global #GTChat Powered by TAGT blog at https://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/writing-your-own-script-a-parents-role-in-the-gifted-childs-development/

The Storify transcript of the chat can be read at https://storify.com/gtchatmod/gtchat-writing-your-ownscript-a-parent-s-role-in-t

Twitterati Challenge

I am taking up the Twitterati Challenge to name my favourite Top 5 of ‘Go to’ Educators

The conditions of the challenge are posted on Mary Myatt’s bog at

http://marymyatt.com/blog/2015-05-03/the-twitterati-challenge

Here they are:

Started by by Ross (never known to nap) @TeacherToolkit – “In the spirit of social-media-educator friendships, this summer it is time to recognise your most supportive colleagues in a simple blogpost shout-out. Whatever your reason, these 5 educators should be your 5 go-to people in times of challenge and critique, or for verification and support”

There are only 3 rules.

1. You cannot knowingly include someone you work with in real life.
   2. You cannot list somebody that has already been named if you are already made aware of them being listed on#TwitteratiChallenge.
   3. You will need to copy and paste the title of this blogpost and (the rules and what to do) information into your own blog post.
   What to do?
   This what to do:
   1. Within 7 days of being nominated by somebody else, you need to identify colleagues that you rely regularly go-to for support and challenge. They have now been challenged and must act and must act as participants of the #TwitteratiChallenge.
2. If you’ve been nominated, please write your own #TwitteratiChallenge blogpost within 7 days. If you do not have your own blog, try @staffrm.
   5. The educator that is now (newly) nominated, has 7 days to compose their own #TwitteratiChallenge blogpost and identify who their top 5 go-to educators are.

So here are my choices

@cybraryman1  Jerry Cybraryman Blumengarten “I’ve got a page for that.”
Connected Educator-Speaker-Writer
Cataloging for education   #edchat moderator
Technology gives even the quietest student a global voice.
Jerry does indeed have a page of links for every educational situation.
Particularly useful are his pages about Twitter chats
http://www.cybraryman.com/ 

@gtchatmod Lisa Conrad Moderator of #gtchat
Lisa Conrad is the moderator and hostess for my favourite education chat #gtchat powered by Texas Association for Gifted &Talented.
Lisa conducts a poll to choose the topic for the chat or invites a guest expert, compiles a list of questions for the session and a collection of related links. After the chat she publishes a transcript using Storify and a blog post about the session which gives all the useful links which were shared.
http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/

@GiftedHF Gifted Homeschoolers
Gifted Homeschoolers Forum supports families of gifted homeschoolers around the world through education, advocacy & community.
GHF not only support homeschoolers but also provide useful information about gifted and 2E student, online courses and conduct blog hops which provide great information and support.
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/blogs/blog-hop/

@murcha Anne Mirtschin
Teacher of ICT accounting & business studies Hawkesdale P12 College. Passionate about virtual classrooms, online learning, rural education and global education
Anne connects teachers and students from all around the world by participating in global education projects, Twitter and Skype classroom connections. She also is the moderator and hostess of the Australia e-Series Tech Talk Tuesdays webinars using Blackboard Collaborate
https://murcha.wordpress.com/

@JoHart
Lecturer in VET (Lit, Num, IT) interested in all e-learning, virtual classroom lover Often delivering entirely online
Have also run e-learning projects
Jo provides great PD for teachers and everyone interested in education. She develops and presents e-learning projects and webinars which are great for building confidence and enthusiasm.
http://johart1.edublogs.org/

Thank you all for being great sources of information, support and encouragement!

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum celebrates 10th Anniversary

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/  turns 10 years old on 18 November 2014

GHF serves the parents, teachers and professionals caring for gifted and 2E students and homeschooling families.

They provide an online community,
Website http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/
Information and resources about giftedness http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/gifted/

Information and resources about 2E twice exceptional
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/twice-exceptional/
Information and resources about homeschooling http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/homeschooling/#ghfresources
Monthly GHF Blog Hops http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/blogs/blog-hop/
Publications http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/
Brochures http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/about-us/gifted-children-brochures/
and online classes. http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/…/ghf-online-spring-2015-se…/
Corin Barsily Goodwin discussed the work of GHF as the guest of honour on Twitter #gtchat on Sunday 9 November 2014.
A review of the session complete with links that were shared can be found at http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/happy-10th-anniversary-gifted-homeschoolers-forum/

Guest on Twitter #gtchat

March was a very busy month and I am now playing catch up and blogging about the experiences.

It was a great thrill to be invited to be the guest for #gtchat on Twitter on 1 March 2014. The topic was the use of De Bono’s Six Action Shoes as applied to planning gifted programs and in particular programs suitable for Twice-Exceptional children.

I enjoyed the experience very much. The moderator #gtchat, of Lisa Conrad, provided me with the questions in advance so that I could prepare my answers and have them ready to post during the session. I also provided links which Lisa posted throughout the chat.

Here are the Q & A posts that we pre-planned

Hi! Jo Freitag from Gifted Resources & Sprite’s Site blog Victoria Australia here at 11.00am Saturday for #gtchat

Hi everyone! Today we are going to rummage through Sprite’s shoes especially her De Bono 6 Action shoes collection #gtchat

Q1) Who is Sprite and how is she involved with De Bono’s shoes? #gtchat

A1) Sprite is my 2E character exceptionally gifted with an unspecified learning difference/disability who illustrates Feetspeak. #gtchat

A1) She is always shown with an injured ankle to show that not all the shoes (plans) will fit comfortably on both feet #gtchat

Q2) What are De Bono’s 6 Action Shoes? #gtchat

A2) Most people know Edward De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats program about ways to think about a situation or problem #gtchat

A2) Edward De Bono’s 6 Action Shoes is a book about ways to approach planning courses of action #gtchat

A2) Up there for thinking, down there for dancing, walking etc – taking action #gtchat

Q3) What do each of the De Bono shoes represent? #gtchat

A3) Blue Formal Shoes = plan following routines and formal procedures; Grey sneakers = plan based on investigation #gtchat

A3) Brown Brogues = plan doing what is most practical and sensible; Orange gumboots = plan to cover emergency action #gtchat

A3) Pink Slippers = plan to act in caring compassionate manner; Purple riding boots = plan enacted by leadership or authority. #gtchat

Q4) How do you use these De Bono 6 Action Shoes plans? #gtchat

A4) I use the De Bono shoes as part of my Feetspeak 2E Shoes Program about planning suitable provisions for gifted and 2E students #gtchat

Gifted Programs Planned Using De Bono’s 6 Action Shoes as a Planning Tool http://goo.gl/vkKfvT

A4) Blue Formal Shoe Plans = fast paced accelerated above grade programs for highly motivated high achieving students #gtchat

Sprite’s Blue Formal Shoes http://goo.gl/OmokYK

A4) Grey Sneakers Plans= research investigations project/passion/problem based learning #geniushour #makerspaces #gtchat

Sprite’s Grey Sneakers http://goo.gl/kgQnZU

A4) Brown Brogues Plans = IEP or most suitable option for student – full or subject acceleration extension groups etc. whatever is needed #gtchat

Sprite’s Brown Brogues http://goo.gl/tLpXnT

A4) Orange Gumboots Plans = stop gap measures such as acting as teacher’s assistant #gtchat

Sprite’s Orange Gumboots http://goo.gl/KmYvfx

A4) Pink Slippers Plans = programs focussed on social/emotional needs coping strategies pastoral care etc #gtchat

Sprite’s Pink Slippers http://goo.gl/E7l1C4

A4) Purple Riding Boots Plans = I’ve used it to mean leadership training biographical studies & mentors could include creativity #gtchat

Sprite’s Purple Riding Boots http://goo.gl/RnIGXB

Q5) Do all the plans work well for gifted and 2E students? #gtchat

A5) All the plans have the potential to work well for gifted students but some do not fit 2E #gtchat

A5) I road tested them using Gagne’s DMGT model natural giftedness to fully developed competence/talent #gtchat

Building Gifts into Talents: Overview of the DMGT (pdf) http://goo.gl/trQ9Db

Q6) Are there any other shoe plans apart from De Bono Action shoes in Feetspeak 2E shoes? #gtchat

A6) Yes, More shoes: Bare feet = Not having a plan; Sparkly sandals = appearance of having a plan but not really having one #gtchat

Sprite’s More shoes http://goo.gl/zW3z6v

A6) The Plaster cast = ideal provisions for the Learning Differences if student is eligible & funding is available #gtchat

Sprite’s Plaster cast http://goo.gl/7yBCxq

A6) The One size fits all paper shoe cover system = claim to be giving gifted program with differentiation #gtchat

Sprite’s One Size Shoe Cover System http://goo.gl/jozdEo

Q7) What inspired you to create Sprite’s Site? #gtchat

A7) Feetspeak grew from newsletter note re problem buying suitable shoes after I injured my ankle being like 2E students problems #gtchat

A7) 2E students need provisions for both their giftedness and their difficulties #gtchat

A7) Sprite was designed to illustrate Feetspeak but then developed a life of her own and needed a blog to tell the stories #gtchat

A7) I already had a more serious Gifted Resources blog but Sprite’s Site allows more freedom for whimsy and creativity #gtchat

Gifted Resources blog https://giftedresources.wordpress.com/

Q8) Sprite has many friends to guide her on life’s journey. What resources did you find helpful when raising a family

A8) Parent support groups, online email groups, books, websites, conferences, guest speakers were all helpful #gtchat

A8 Psychologist Lesley Sword was the foundation stone for me #gtchat

http://www.giftedservices.com.au/handouts/index.html

A8) Hoagies website was/is always a great source of information #gtchat

Hoagies http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

Q9 What people and works provided the basis for Feetspeak 2E shoes? #gtchat

A9 Edward De Bono, Prof Francoys Gagne, Dr Linda Silverman, 2E newsletter, Prof Miraca Gross, Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities #gtchat

Q9 Susan Baum, Alexandra Golon, Iowa Acceleration Scales, Lee Singer, Lesley Sword and of course Stephanie Tolan #gtchat

http://www.giftedresources.org/gr/feetspeakforweb01.htm

Q10) What other topics are covered on Sprite’s Site? #gtchat

A10) The Tweet family of Twitter birds consult the Psych-Owl-Ogist about giftedness and social/emotional issues #gtchat

The Psych-Owl-Ogist http://spritessite.wordpress.com/tag/psych-owl-ogist/

A10) The Tweet family are using Nest Ed and discuss homeschooling their gifted tweetlets #gtchat

Nest Ed http://spritessite.wordpress.com/tag/nest-ed/

A10) Sprite’s companions Dabrowski Dogs represent Intellectual, Emotional, Sensual, Psycho Motor, Imaginational overexcitabilities #gtchat

Dabrowski Dogs http://spritessite.wordpress.com/tag/dabrowski-dogs/

A10) The Black Dogs relate to causes of depression in gifted people #gtchat

Black Dogs http://spritessite.wordpress.com/tag/black-dogs/

A10) The Memory Elephant illustrates memory and the Visual Spatial Learners way of thinking #gtchat

Memory Elephant http://spritessite.wordpress.com/tag/memory-elephant/

A10) And @gtchatmod favourite Columbus Cheetah advocates for acceleration and busts myths about giftedness #gtchat

Columbus Cheetah Myth Buster
http://www.giftedresources.org/gr/columbuscheetah.htm

The Storify transcript of the chat session can be read at http://goo.gl/58T7du

The summary post on the TAGT blog can be read at http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/de-bonos-action-plans-with-special-guest-jo-frietag/

Gifted Resources Blog has been nominated in the Australian Writers’ Centre Best Australian Blogs 2014 Competition http://www.writerscentre.com.au/community/best-australian-blogs-comp/ 

Best Blogs in the Gifted Community

The Best Blogs in the Gifted Community was the topic of a recent Twitter #gtchat session. It was an interesting discussion which was partly prompted by Tim Dracup aka Gifted Phoenix’ excellent investigation and blog post ‘How well does gifted education use social media?’
http://giftedphoenix.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/how-well-does-gifted-education-use-social-media/

The session was one of the monthly weekend chats which are held at a time which is suited to participants in the UK and Europe. For me in Melbourne, Australia the time was 7.00am on a Monday.
http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/new-feature-at-gtchat-monthly-weekend-chats/

Amongst the information shared was the correct form to use when citing blogs in academic papers
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Several blog rolls and collections of blogs were mentioned including
Gifted Homeschoolers Forum http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/blogs/
Gifted Phoenix http://giftedphoenix.wordpress.com/

The Storify transcript of the session can be read at http://goo.gl/ws27BD

And the summary of the session including links to the blogs which were discussed can be found at the GT Chat Powered by TAGT blog
http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/best-blogs-in-the-gifted-community/

Gifted Resources Blog has been nominated in the Australian Writers’ Centre Best Australian Blogs 2014 Competition http://www.writerscentre.com.au/community/best-australian-blogs-comp/

Virtually visiting the WCGTC Conference in Kentucky

Even if you are are unable to attend the 20^th WCGTC Conference in Louisville Kentucky 10-14 August 2013 http://worldgifted2013.org/  the WCGTC have done an excellent job in providing opportunities to follow events live online Throughout the conference several people have been posting on Twitter from presentations and sharing links to presenters’ online work under the hashtag #WCGTC13 and posting comments and photos on Facebook.

I have been enjoying reading the comments and viewing the photos which have been posted and have even been able to listen to broadcasts of some of the keynote speakers via http://mixlr.com/wcgtc/me/

Global #gtchat will be holding a chat live from the conference on Monday, 12 August See http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/world-council-for-gifted-and-talented-children-20th-biennial-world-conference/
For me in Australia the time of the chat will be 8.30 am Tuesday 13 August.

I was really fortunate to be able to participate in a Skype chat with Leslie Graves, Lisa Conrad, Mary St George, Jen Torbeck Merrill, Stephanie Tolan, Carolyn K (Mrs Hoagies) Patricia Gatto Walden, Ingrid (Ingennios Illuminare  from Mexico) and Wenda Sheard who were attending  the conference in Kentucky and Stacia Trahan Taylor who joined in from Texas It was wonderful to see and hear  all those heroes of mine from the gifted education world!

Featured flyer : gtchat

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum

The Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF) supports gifted homeschoolers in the United States and around the world through education, advocacy, community and support. GHF was founded by Corin Barsily Goodwin in 2004 to address a growing need for support and advocacy
GHF is served by the Board of Directors Corin Barsily Goodwin, Executive Director, Debbie Schwarzer, General Counsel, Anne Beneventi, Professional Outreach Coordinator, Eleen Kamas, PhD, Recording Secretary and Josh Shaine
It has a team of advisors and staff Mika Gustavson, Director, GHF Professionals, Tara Hernandez, Membership Director, Rebecca McMillan, Director of Online Education (GHF Online), Sarah Wilson, Editor-in-Chief, GHF Press, Wes Beach, Teen Advisor, Stephanie Hood, Charter/ISP Advisor, Martha Shaindlin, Marketing Manager, Cyd Dawson-Smith, Webmaster, Rev. Mona Chicks, Membership, Madeline Goodwin, General Assistant, Annette Holzman, Tax Manager, Carissa Leventis-Cox, Regional Contacts Coordinator and J. Marlow Schmauder, Professional Outreach.

The goals of GHF are:

• to link interested families with information and resources regarding educating a gifted child outside the traditional school system
• to provide gifted homeschoolers with the opportunity to network and exchange ideas and resources
• to increase awareness of homeschooling as a viable educational alternative for gifted children
• to advocate for gifted homeschoolers as needed
• to network with other education-related entities in support of these goals

Their website can be found at http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/

They provide excellent lists of resources

Resources relating to giftedness
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/gifted/

Resources relating to homeschooling
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/homeschooling/

Resources relating to Twice Exceptional (2E)
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/twice-exceptional/

Collection of articles
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/resources/parent-and-professional-resources/articles/

GHF Online Courses

http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-online/
Gifted Homeschoolers Forum also provides outstanding and engaging online courses tailored to the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional students.
The semester or year-long courses are aimed at upper middle and high school level students. GHF Online is 2e friendly and is willing to work with families to make reasonable accommodation for the student’s individual needs.

Courses for 2013
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-online/whats-new-for-2013/

GHF Courses were discussed during a #GTCHAT session and the review can be read at New Online Courses at Gifted Homeschoolers Forum
http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/new-online-courses-at-gifted-homeschoolers-forum/

GHF Press

GHF Press, created by Gifted Homeschoolers Forum gathers and shares information specific to the gifted and twice-exceptional community. They publish Perspectives In Gifted Homeschooling Series
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/

Making the choice: When typical school does not fit your atypical child by Corin Barsily Goodwin and Mika Gustavson
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/making-the-choice-when-typical-school-doesnt-fit-your-atypical-child/

A guidebook for parents considering homeschooling, Making the Choice discusses how to balance the emotional and academic needs of gifted and 2e children, their parents, and their families. In Making the Choice, Corin Barsily Goodwin, Executive Director of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum, and Mika Gustavson, MFT, demystify and de-mystify some of the perceived barriers to homeschooling. For those families wondering if this is an option they should consider, Making the Choice offers ideas, guidance, and encouragement to fully evaluate the option.

I am currently enjoying reading this book and intend to write a review shortly

Forging Paths: Beyond Traditional Schooling by Wes Beach
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/forging-paths-beyond-traditional-schooling/

Traditional schooling may not provide your son or daughter with a satisfactory or fulfilling education. In Forging Paths: Beyond Traditional Schooling, you’ll read the stories of nine young people who took varying, nontraditional educational paths and succeeded in their chosen endeavors and vocations. Wes Beach, director of an unusual private high school, speaker, and author, prompts you to reconsider the idea that any highly successful career path must involve piling up gold stars in high school to gain immediate admission to a prestigious university in order to earn a degree which can cost more than most people earn in a year. Discover how passion, persistence, creativity and perseverance can lead to a life of satisfaction and even some traditional achievements!

I have received a copy of Wes Beach’ book and intend to write a review shortly

If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?:Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional by Jen Merrill
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/if-this-is-a-gift-can-i-give-it-back-surviving-in-the-land-of-the-gifted-and-twice-exceptional/

Jen Merrill, author of the Laughing at Chaos blog, brings laughter, tears, and honesty to her latest book by GHF Press,If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional. Join Jen on her journey through discovery, understanding, and acceptance, as she copes with the challenges that only the gifted and twice exceptional can create. So, pull up a chair, pour a glass of wine, and start reading. You’ll swear Jen’s written about you!

I enjoyed reading Jen’s book and intend to post a review shortly

Jen discussed her book on #gtchat and the review of the session can be read at
If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?
http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/if-this-is-a-gift-can-i-send-it-back/

SOON TO BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 2013

Learning in the 21^st Century: How to connect, collaborate and create by Ben Curran and Neil Weatherbee
http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/ghf-press/learning-in-the-21st-century-how-to-connect-collaborate-and-create/

The world has transformed on an epic scale, but education has barely budged. How can you incorporate all the creativity technology has to offer into your learning experiences, even if your technological abilities are limited? How can online tools help students, especially gifted and twice-exceptional students, connect with others from around the block or around the world to collaborate on projects?

Ben Curran and Neil Weatherbee of Engaging Educators give you step-by-step instructions to get you started using technology in your learning experiences. Discover new online tools geared toward collaborating and creating. Try out projects specifically designed with these tools in mind. Create a positive and interesting online portfolio to share with college recruiters and potential employers.

Regardless of educational choice, Learning in the 21st Century: How to Connect, Collaborate, and Create will fill you with ideas and inspiration that will revolutionize how you approach learning.

I hope to read and review this book soon.

This book was discussed during a recent #GTCHAT with Ben Curran and Neil Weatherbee of ENGAGING ED and the review of the session can be read at
http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/learning-in-the-21st-century-how-to-connect-collaborate-and-create/

Jo’s CHAOS Plan 2

C-Creation:

What exactly do you want to love into existence?

I am going to use this challenge ( See https://giftedresources.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/jos-chaos-plan/) as an opportunity to consider the 2013 version of Gifted Resources, Sprite’s Site and my personal life– which in some cases means continuing with services and activities in their present form and in other cases means revising, updating or discontinuing them or creating something completely new.

H-How:

How will you know you’ve accomplished it? What kind of parameters do you need to complete your creation?
Using my image ‘Getting the 2013 wheels turning as an idea starter I will regard each activity as a separate wheel and  will be considering the activities individually with the help of mind mapping and then posting the resulting thoughts as blog posts

Gifted Resources will continue to engage in project  work with Borderlands  http://www.borderlands.org.au/
The main foundation of Gifted Resources is the website http://www.giftedresources.org/  I intend to leave the website very much as it is but to update it as needed. Some sections need a complete revision, some just need updating and some need all the links to be checked and made to open in new windows.  Possibly a shopping cart may be added in future – I am still considering this.

The other main activities of Gifted Resources are the monthly email newsletters and the four Holiday Programs newsletters. I will continue to produce these.
At present the newsletters are sent as a PDF attachment to regular emails and are also posted on the Gifted Resources website. The most recent edition can be read by following a link on the main page and back copies can be read in the Newsletter Archives http://www.giftedresources.org/gr/newsletter.htm

I may consider changing the form of the newsletter as I have seen some very attractive templates for email newsletter which are not sent as an attachment.

For many years now I have been compiling the Gifted Resources Information Pack.
See http://www.giftedresources.org/gr/infopacks.htm

It is a collection of brochures, pamphlets, articles and business cards from psychologists, education consultants, parent support groups and extension programs and information about conferences and events relating to giftedness and to gifted and twice exceptional students.
The contents of the pack vary from time to time to reflect the currency and availability of the information. Although most providers now have websites and publish their information digitally, the Information Pack collection of hard copy flyers is still useful in many circumstances.

I am currently compiling the 2013 Info Pack

At present most of my consultation work is conducted by phone, email and post.
Using Skype has enhanced the effectiveness of phone consultation and made it a more affordable method.

Presentations can be given in person or in the form of webinars or Skype sessions
Last year I gave presentations for Jo Hart’s Fine Focus webinars http://johart1.edublogs.org/?s=Jo+Freitag  using Blackboard Collaborate and hope to do so again this year.

I will be talking to a group of parents at Village School in March and would like to give other in person presentations during the year.

Last year I presented a Film Discussion on the film The Incredibles to a Lunch n Learn Group in Texas using Skype   
It worked well. The Skype connection was so good that I felt as if I were in the room with the participants. I would be happy to do more Film Discussions in that way.
Also as I have 3 plastic crates filled with Film Discussion kits another option would be to add the kits to the Gifted Resources Library collection and groups can borrow a kit to facilitate holding their own Film Discussion.

I am in the process of re-cataloguing the Gifted Resources library

See https://giftedresources.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/re-cataloguing-the-gifted-resources-library/

And https://giftedresources.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/re-cataloguing-the-gifted-resources-library-2/

When the re-cataloguing is complete the Library page can be restored to the Gifted Resources website.

In August 2012 I received an email telling me that I needed to either close the Gifted Resources blog or update it to the newer format. My tech guru, Jamie Tarling, put in a lot of work to update the blog and transfer old posts into it.
See: There’s life in the old blog yet
https://giftedresources.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/theres-life-in-the-old-blog-yet/
Since then I have posted reviews of books, programs, conferences, webinars etc to the Gifted Resources blog and I will continue to use it the same way in 2013.
At present I am reading three books published by Gifted Homeschoolers Forum and hope to post a review soon.

Sprite’s Site blog http://spritessite.wordpress.com/   has the theme of Giftedness and 2E Twice Exceptional issues
In About the Topics http://spritessite.wordpress.com/about-the-topics/  you can read about the issues that have been discussed
The About Sprite page http://spritessite.wordpress.com/  describes the main theme of the blog.
Sprite is the twice exceptional (gifted with a learning difficulty or difference) cartoon character who is the Poster Child to illustrate Jo Freitag’s Feetspeak: 2E shoes presentations.
Feetspeak: 2E shoes is about planning programs that will be suitable for gifted students who also have a learning difficulty or different learning style using Edward De Bono’s 6 Action Shoes as the planning tool.
Sprite is always depicted as having an injured left ankle and needing to wear different shoes on each foot to illustrate the concept that she needs different educational provisions for both her giftedness and her disability.
The About the Characters pages describe the other characters you will meet on the blog.

I enjoy posting to Sprite’s Site as it gives plenty of scope for imagination and creativity as well as being able to present facts and opinions in a narrative form.

I would love to be able to produce books or e-books about the Sprite’s Site characters.
Last Christmas I gave mouse pads with the Twitter Bird bowers printed on them as gifts to some techie friends and I can imagine Twitter birds adorning mugs etc.

Currently I enjoy participating in groups relating to giftedness and 2E issues on Facebook and Twitter, especially the weekly #gtchat sessions on Twitter.
I will consider possible expansion of participation in these areas – perhaps a Gifted Resources Facebook page or revisiting my Linked In profile which I set up but have not used.

I also belong to a couple of NING communities and should visit them more often.

There is always so much to learn!

There are conferences in real life.
I will be attending the VAGTC EmpowerEd conference in April.
http://www.vagtc.asn.au/empowered-for-giftedness
Local libraries and groups offer real life opportunities.

MOOCs, webinars, global education conferences and many others offer so many online opportunities.
At the end of 2012 I participated in an online course about Digital Badges  which led to Khan Academy http://www.khanacademy.org/ and several other sources of self education which I would like to pursue if I have the necessary time, energy and ability.
At the moment I am trying to learn about creating computer games at Gamestar Mechanic and programming with Scratch http://scratch.mit.edu/

This is an area which gives me so much satisfaction and happiness.
I will continue to participate in the Brilliant Chaos Group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/brilliantchaosonline/  
monthly creating challenges
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/brilliantchaosonline/doc/253263591368971/

Regarding my personal life –  this year we will be celebrating 40 years of marriage.
I am enjoying the quiet pace of life in Rosebud and would like to continue to walk on the beach and appreciate the many species of birds that visit the garden.
In the past I have been very involved with writing and teaching church Sunday School programs and I have several plastic tubs of programs which I have written over the years which I would like to turn into online programs.  The church we are currently attending does not have a children’s program at the moment.

You can see on the mind map the purple dotted lines and text. These are the Wish lists or Possible? to do lists. They are the maybe I could?s . They are the What if…?
They are the Perhaps and the Imaginational Dabrowski says…. Lists
But it sounds more lofty and official to call them Aspirations!

#GT Chat goes to TAGT 12

There will not be a Twitter #gtchat session this week due to the US Thanksgiving holiday but next week will be very exciting.

Lisa Conrad, (@gtchatmod) the moderator of #gtchat, will be attending and giving presentations at the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Building Connections Conference  in Dallas, November 28 – 30, 2012 and TAGT’s Parent Conference on November 30th.

Lisa will be presenting sessions titled “Why You Should #gtchat on Twitter and, “Collaboration, Not Confrontation: Parents and Teachers Working Together”

On Friday, November 30^th, #gtchat will be live from the Social Connections Area in the Exhibit Hall. It will begin @10:30AM CT for conference attendees (although everyone is invited online) and from 11AM to Noon CT [Find your time here.] on Twitter. The topic will be “Building Bridges with #gtchat”.
Following chat, there will be a 40 minute Tweet-Up for those at the conference.

Chat participants on Twitter are invited to tweet about how they have connected with others via #gtchat and how it has affected their lives. Many friendships have been made and many hours of professional development have been delivered since its beginning in January 2010.

In preparation for this chat, Lisa has provided some of the questions that will be presented during the chat on November 30^th. It is hoped that online Tweeps will share with conference attendees the benefits of weekly chats.

Questions:

1) How has #gtchat connected you to the gifted community?

2) How do you use Twitter in your daily life?

3) How has #gtchat affected how you parent/teach?

4) Are you involved in other Twitter chats?

Read all about it on the #gtchat powered by TAGT blog at http://globalgtchatpoweredbytagt.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/gtchat-goes-to-tagt-12/