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.
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by #TAGT@TXGifted ~ Thanks for joining us to chat about “The Purple Goldfish Theory: What Your Child Already Knows about Being Gifted” #gtchat
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ moderator, advocate for gifted children, conference presenter, blogger and parent of 2 gifted adults from Pittsburgh, PA. Please take a minute to let us know who you are and from where you’re tweeting! #gtchat
Hi everyone! Justine from Auckland, New Zealand. Always a Primary teacher but now a full time PhD candidate researching gifted ed. Hope everyone's had a great week. #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.
Lurking to learn? Please say ‘hi’ and then view a livestream from Participate Learning at https://t.co/1zR97oWQw0 Enjoy the chat! All the links and a summary of this chat will be posted later on our blog at https://t.co/a3rzmzwphB#gtchat
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 The Purple Goldfish Theory! #gtchat
Hi, friends! I'm Jamie Uphold, Gifted Youth Programs Manager at American Mensa. I'm a (recovering) educator with a passion for gifted youth. Now, I create programs, curate resources, and perform outreach for gifted youth @AmericanMensa.
Q1) My daughter knows a lot about it but what she feels the most is how she is "different" from others and how she is so "sensitive". She struggles with those things every day. #gtchat
A1) My children initially learn about being gifted in the context of their school’s gifted program (higher expectations; little support) and later through my efforts of advocacy from starting a parents’ group. #gtchat
A1) It depends how much they have had explained but before any explanations they probably just feel different from others and think regular school classes move very slowly #gtchat
A1) Depends on what the kid was through. A year or two ago I literally didn't know anything about being gifted and didn't think of myself as gifted. But when times worsened and I was looking for answers, I learned more and more - and now its a lot #gtchat
A1) They already know they're "different," from typical students. They just don’t know why they're “weird.” They just know they are not like everyone else around them. https://t.co/LzL9ZO6Nsd
A1) Having grown up in a rural school district without any gifted program, I had to learn along with my children about being gifted. This led to self-awareness for me. #gtchat
A1. They can feel confused - that they don't fit in. Can be made worse if they don't understand why they're different or if that difference isn't valued and celebrated. #gtchat
A1: Even though I've worked w/our gifted program Ss for yrs, last yr was my 1st in charge of the program. Some thought they were in it because they passed a test & others didn't know at all. We focused on the gifts we have & how to use them to give back to the world. #gtchat
A2) Absolutely; especially if identified early. They almost always know that they are different from their age-peers, but lack of understanding can result in so many issues. #gtchat
Hi Bob in Indiana, counselor of the gifted. #gtchat
A1) who wrote about intensity complexity and depth? Sandra Kaplan? That is what a gifted child knows in their bones.
A2) IMO, yes! They need to know why they feel so different. Plus, it gives us a chance to work through their feelings together knowing there are reasons. Only then can we come up with strategies to help them deal with their differences. #gtchat
A2) Yes. It makes many things easier for the child - more understanding, less worrying, being able to come to peace with being gifted earlier. But parents should only say that as an information - it shouldn't mean extra pressure or fear for the kid #gtchat
A2. All students should know about themselves! Self awareness and advocacy for their needs won’t be attainable without the knowledge. #gtchat#KidsDeserveIt
Hi Bob in Indiana, counselor of the gifted. #gtchat
A1) who wrote about intensity complexity and depth? Sandra Kaplan? That is what a gifted child knows in their bones.
A1) The value is in understanding how their brain is wired differently; not in an assessment received from a test. Information, for them, is received and perceived differently than their peers. #gtchat
A1. They can feel confused - that they don't fit in. Can be made worse if they don't understand why they're different or if that difference isn't valued and celebrated. #gtchat
Bob Yamtich , counselor for the gifted #gtchat
A1) was it Sandra Kaplan who wrote about intensity complexity and depth? That is what gifted kids know in their bones
Curiosity intensity and passion are their norm. Need true peers.
A1) The value is in understanding how their brain is wired differently; not in an assessment received from a test. Information, for them, is received and perceived differently than their peers. #gtchat
A2) Telling your child they are gifted/talented should be accompanied by ‘perspective’. I’ve seen far too many GT students who lack understanding and mistakenly think it makes them ‘better then’ rather than ‘better at’. #gtchat
A2) Telling your child they are gifted/talented should be accompanied by ‘perspective’. I’ve seen far too many GT students who lack understanding and mistakenly think it makes them ‘better then’ rather than ‘better at’. #gtchat
A3) Our state mandates gifted education and implementation of a GIEP. This has led to a formal process for sharing information through formal regular meetings with the team and a general understanding of who to contact. #gtchat
Can always put them in a library with other great thinkers #gtchat to support perspective
“A fire needs a fireplace”- they don’t want to burn and have everybody in awe, they want to dance together, with containment of authority figures w perspective you name
A3) Show results of assessments and examples of the work they are capable of doing and share information about social /emotional issues and passions #gtchat
We are already halfway through our chat! Thank you for sharing so many inspiring thoughts about The Purple Goldfish Theory! Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. #gtchat
A3. I think we need to really push for more collaboration and understanding between parents and schools in this area. It's not something we do well, particularly in gifted ed. #gtchat
A3) I wish our state had a GIEP! Most of our teachers have no idea how to handle the emotions of a gifted child. I just tell the teacher in a sheet that's sent home to "tell us about your child". Then we talk about it at the Parent/Teacher meeting, if need be #gtchat
A#) Don't assume that teachers know what your child needs. They often don't get the information necessary to make those assessments until later in the year. Simple outreach sparks dialogue. #gtchat
A3) Well, not at all. Trying to talk in a very rational way backfired every time. I'm about to graduate so the risk isn't worth it anymore but I love how other parents continue holding informational meetings and hang up posters or blog about giftedness #gtchat
That must have been incredibly frustrating. We need to change the conversations. The more we talk about it honestly, hopefully the changes we need will happen. #gtchat
A3) The sharing of information was always highly dependent on the personnel with whom you were sharing the information. Some teachers were more receptive and knowledgeable making the whole process smoother. #gtchat
This is a great point. Our curriculum this year focuses on perspective. The program has used books like Wonder & Because of Mr. Terupt in the past, & this yr adding Out of My Mind. Any other suggestions? #gtchat
A4) Being gifted is too often about simply being viewed as ‘smart’ when it’s usually much more complicated. I think of it as ‘marching to the beat of a different drummer’ scenario. #gtchat
I think that's what frustrates me the most. The nonsense over the quote that "All kids are gifted they just unwrap their gifts at different times" has become a dangerous mantra leading to needs not being met. #gtchat
A4) It's hard to be the smartest kid in the room. Kids want to fit in, and GT kids often don't -- they think deeper, react stronger, and don't transition as quickly. None of these traits are preferable in traditional school settings.
And a confusion about what gifts vs gifted is referring to- every person’s potential and capabilities in life vs educational need because of how one is wired #gtchat
A4) Challenges of being purple include finding friends on a similar wavelength, feeling overwhelmed by world problems and receiving education at the right level, pace, depth and breadth #gtchat
>>>"All kids are gifted they just unwrap their gifts at different times"
How many of those kids would return that gift if they could, just to be "normal"? Nailed it, Justine. #gtchat
I think that's what frustrates me the most. The nonsense over the quote that "All kids are gifted they just unwrap their gifts at different times" has become a dangerous mantra leading to needs not being met. #gtchat
A4) GT kids can be teased and bullied by other kids and adults to the point of wanting to hide their abilities or ignore them. This can lead to emotional challenges as they get older. #gtchat
Yes! We need so much more professional learning around this. If we don't have that understanding and challenge our own thinking as teachers then we're not meeting the needs of these students. #gtchat
That is so true! I think we need to have so many more open and honest conversations around this and be prepared to have our thinking and beliefs challenged for the sake of our students. #gtchat
A3 #gtchat as a member of the educational team, I'd say to share the less than obvious stuff. It's easy to focus on good grades, but we need to know the stuff that might affect achievement.
And a confusion about what gifts vs gifted is referring to- every person’s potential and capabilities in life vs educational need because of how one is wired #gtchat
Shaking my head at that one. We need to keep challenging it. We have a huge issue with mental health in NZ at the moment. I wonder how many of our gifted students are affected because there is so much judgement and a lack of understanding? #gtchat
A3: I'm on the educator side. Our parents complete nomination forms & the info is helpful. I also keep an open line of communication with/them through phone, email, & Seesaw throughout the yr. #gtchat
A5) At the local level, it’s important to network with other parents of gifted kids either through an existing group or starting one. State gifted organizations also have many resources available. #gtchat
A5) I read lots of articles from SENG and TAGT and books by Dr. James Webb and by reading articles posted on gtchats! I'm always trying to learn more! #gtchat
A2: In age-appropriate ways yes! In elementary most have different names for a GT program. In middle school, classes are grouped GT or not. A discussion on what being gifted means is also important as kids grow up. #gtchat
A3: I'm on the educator side. Our parents complete nomination forms & the info is helpful. I also keep an open line of communication with/them through phone, email, & Seesaw throughout the yr. #gtchat
A4: Some of my Ss struggled w/feeling they had to act different in their regular classroom vs time in our pull out program. They said they felt pressure to do more than others & to do it faster. #gtchat
As teachers we need to broaden our awareness of giftedness and be on the look out with the ones who fly below the radar. Consult, communicate and collaborate with families and be aware of cultural differences in giftedness. #gtchat
I totally agree! Breaks my heart when you can really see the struggle. I'm trying my best to be there for them & hope our time together helps them for when they leave our school. #gtchat
A6. There is beauty in all- #gifted and all the labels that make up each individual. Diversity is what makes our community fabric rich & deserves that honor #gtchat
I think gifted kids sometimes are far more aware of it too. It's time we valued, encouraged and celebrated giftedness. We celebrate so many other differences so we need to challenge why we don't celebrate this too. We need brave conversations. #gtchat
A6) Gifted children need to associate with intellectual peers whether at school or socially regardless of what anyone else says. This doesn’t mean exclusively; but it must be a major consideration. #gtchat
A6) Gifted children need to be challenged in the early years academically. Without it; they will have difficulty later on and it can result in innumerable problems. #gtchat
A6) At the end of the day, no one knows your child like you do -- you're their strongest advocate. Trust yourself and your child to make the right choices. #gtchat
A6) Speaking about my daughter, I have to remember that she is her own special person with very real feelings and that I can't fit her into a box. I encourage her and support her quirks and know that that's what makes her incredible! #gtchat
True! Every teacher should know about giftedness and helping gifted kids just as they know about helping a struggling student. But society needs to be more open to the idea of giftedness
A6) At the end of the day, every kid just wants to know that they have their parent's support. The most important thing to remember is that your kid is still a kid -- they're not a brain with feet. #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday August 30th at 8E/7C/6M/5P US and Friday 31st August at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Resources for GT Kids” #gtchat
A6) Speaking about my daughter, I have to remember that she is her own special person with very real feelings and that I can't fit her into a box. I encourage her and support her quirks and know that that's what makes her incredible! #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday August 30th at 8E/7C/6M/5P US and Friday 31st August at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Resources for GT Kids” #gtchat
