Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT in the U.S. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.
Checking in from chilly Houston Texas. I'm a GT Specialist at a public elem. school. Grown GT kids & creatively gifted husband of 33 yrs. Whew! #gtchat
Are you new to Twitter chats? We use the Q1) / A1) format for #gtchat
Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. This will make sure that other chat participants see your tweets.
Before we begin, Happy 8th Birthday to #gtchat! It was 8 years ago that we began chatting on Twitter. Many thanks to founder, @DeborahMersino & Jerry Blumengarten @cybraryman1who helped get things started!
Our first question is coming up; let’s get ready to chat! Please preface your responses with A1) Excited to collaborate and share ideas with you today about kindness for gifted kids! #gtchat
A1) Kindness is treating others as you would like to be treated; making someone else want to associate with you because they feel better about themselves when they are around you. #gtchat
A1 Kindness is having a concern for others, being considerate and helpful. My Kindness page https://t.co/mZMX9a3YqZ "Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." Lao Tzu Happy 8th birthday #gtchat
A1) Kindness is treating others with respect, the way you would like to be treated, and not allowing prejudices to stand in the way showing love to all #gtchat
A1) Kindness is treating others with civility, respect and grace. Kindness is smooth edges and warmth and recognition that everyone is fighting some kind of battle. #gtchat
A1 Kindness is having a concern for others, being considerate and helpful. My Kindness page https://t.co/mZMX9a3YqZ "Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." Lao Tzu Happy 8th birthday #gtchat
A1) #Kindness is taking into consideration everything you say and do as to bring out the best in others; always asking yourself how will your actions affect other people’s feelings. #gtchat
A2. #Gifted students FEEL so much from internal and external stimuli. It's necessary for them to learn how to be kind to themselves, resulting in that kindness extending to others. #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A1) Kindness is treating others with civility, respect and grace. Kindness is smooth edges and warmth and recognition that everyone is fighting some kind of battle. #gtchat
A2) Gifted children often believe they are valued for their intellect, not necessarily for their character. Every soul deserves kindness to be modeled and lavished. #gtchat
A2) Gifted children do not always experience kindness in their lives; it can be a forgotten soft-skill deemed unimportant in their striving for academic success. #gtchat
A2) Kindness is counterculture because it focuses on others and not oneself. Our intense GT Ss need to focus on others to not implode. It also gives them a focus to use their gifts to change the world for good. #gtchat
A2) Gifted children are also deep wells of empathy and creativity. Imagine the power of kindness coupled with creativity and insightful problem-solving! #gtchat
A2) Gifted kids too often experience bullying or thoughtless comments about the expectations of the gifted label. They may ignore this at first, but eventually respond in negative or unkind ways. #gtchat
A2: gifted kids are often hypersensitive to perceived injustices towards themselves but can be oblivious to the needs of others we have to foster empathy so they can use their powers for good! #gtchat
A3) Being kind – modeling kindness in the classroom – considering it before speaking or taking action in any situation is a good way to encourage students to be kind to fellow classmates. #gtchat
A2) Gifted students often want to be "right." They might need help understanding relationships don't run on right and wrong. Relationships are nurtured by practicing kindness. #gtchat
A3. Model, model, model! Conduct think-alouds so students can see your inner dialogue and how you make decisions to foster kindness. #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A3: model kindness. Model that stuff like you’re freakin Tyra Banks! Also read books to them about kindness, praise kindness in action, and encourage acts of kindness in the school and community. See below for my faves! #gtchat
We are already halfway through our chat! Thank you for sharing so many inspiring thoughts! After all these years, still amazed at the collaboration at >>> #gtchat
A3) Model kindness. Students should see teachers taking care of others' needs, offering grace and forgiveness, listening more often than talking. #gtchat
A3. Model, model, model! Conduct think-alouds so students can see your inner dialogue and how you make decisions to foster kindness. #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A4) Classroom teachers can create a culture of #kindness within their classrooms which is responsive to student voice; having students be responsible for setting personal goals and plans to follow through to meet those goals. #gtchat#StuVoice
A4. Create safe zones (hopefully starting with your classroom) where there is no tolerance for negative behaviors. We cultivate what we emphasize! #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A4: I’m not sure you can entirely prevent them but you can set up expectationsthat your room is a safe place where no unkindness of any sort is acceptable. I don’t even let kids badmouth our elected officials in my room (even though I might completely agree with them 🤭) #gtchat
A4) Discuss as a class negative behaviors from current events and history -- how could those situations have been changed? Let students have a say. #gtchat
A4) Have the conversation - We never know other peoples lines where joking becomes not a joke. The line also moves due to factors we may not know about. So really think about it before you start joking. #gtchat
I think it's also important to note that the list is for the #middleclass#gifted but excludes the poor, rural, or urban #underrepresented gifted students' context and narrative #gtchat
A5) Gifted children are no different than other kids in that they each have unique personalities; some may embrace expressing kindness in their interactions with age mates/peers and other may not. #gtchat
A5. #Gifted kids don't always have the tools to know when to "filter" their thoughts. We must equip them with the tools to understand empathy and respect (and word choice) and WHY it's important. #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A5) the one that I notice most is the tendency to see things as black or white, right or wrong, no room for the fuzzy gray. In debates and mock trial situations mine are quick to condemn and they just throw the book at the “bad guys” #gtchat
A5. #Gifted kids don't always have the tools to know when to "filter" their thoughts. We must equip them with the tools to understand empathy and respect (and word choice) and WHY it's important. #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A6) Parents are a child’s first and foremost role model. Gifted children can be difficult to parent. Patience and kindness should be exhibited from the very beginning. #gtchat
A6. If kindness is an important standard in how everyone is treated at home…#gifted kids will take that with them wherever they go. #gtchat#SEL#NAGC#TAGT#SENG
A6) Foster it at home. Look for opportunities to help folks in need. Apologize when you make mistakes. Create & celebrate traditions based on kindness. #gtchat
#gtchat A6: same as teachers. Model, praise, equip. It’s hard sometimes. My gifted daughter knows exactly which buttons to push and responding with kindness isn’t always my first instinct (cause I’m gifted too 🤓)
A6) Just like teachers, parents can create opportunities for gifted kids to express kindness to others at home starting with family members and even family pets. By extension, encourage them to show kindness to their friends as well. #gtchat
I'm thankful for the reminder that we are teaching the whole child and that character lessons -- overt or integrated -- are essential to our work. #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday January 25th at 8E/7C/6M/5P US and Friday 26th January at 2 PM NZDT/Noon AEDT/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Authentic Learning in Gifted Education.” #gtchat
