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Welcome to Opportunities for Enrichment !. Parent Information. From Elementary Challenge to BT Project Enrichment. Elementary Challenge Program. Middle School Enrichment Program. 90 minute pull-out. HOME once per week. Subject/topic specific opportunities.
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Welcome to Opportunities for Enrichment! Parent Information
From Elementary Challenge to BT Project Enrichment Elementary Challenge Program Middle School Enrichment Program 90 minute pull-out HOME once per week Subject/topic specific opportunities Both teacher and student initiation Mostly teacher initiated selection Pull-out and push-in Enrichment teachers talk to classroom teachers Fewer teachers (Possibly less need for advocacy) More teachers (Possibly more need for advocacy) Curriculum and affective issues addressed Many whole-school opportunities
The Gifted Middle School Student: Unique Needs • While still only 10, 11 and 12, these students are starting to do the young adolescent thing – separating from parents, playing at and trying more independence • Brain changes – the frontal lobe “takes a vacation” during these years (this is where critical thinking, decision making reside) – students who made great choices all their lives are suddenly making strange choices
Unique Needs • Peer groups become front and center: sometimes it seems like friends are more important than parents (and definitely more important than school) • Fitting in: for gifted and high ability students this can be an issue already – middle school transition can exacerbate this – especially if kids have a heightened sensitivity to • criticism • justice • perfectionism/control • having a unique sense of style that seems unappreciated
Asset – Burden Paradox of Giftedness (Jean Peterson, Purdue University) • sensitivities • overexcitabilities • intensity • stress • denied, controlled emotions • control of environment – frantic when it’s not possible • protection of image • a “fix-yourself” message from others (you’re smart – figure it out) • existential concerns • sense of differentness – interpersonal challenges (30 to 60 IQ pts. Difference) • intense idealism/sense of justice • perfectionism – unreasonable standards, self-criticism • underachievement
Meeting the Affective Needs • Gifted isn’t always a gift • Our program not only strives to keep these things in mind when we are working with and advocating for these students, but we also strive to provide a healthy enrichment program for all