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 the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented @TxGifted#TAGT ~ Thanks for joining us to chat about “How Home & School Environment Affect Student Achievement” #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
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
I'm Emily - host of @MindMattersPod (focusing on development and education of G/T kids), mental health counselor in private practice, 2e parent of 2e kids (is that like 2e-squared?) Previously taught G/T elem & middle school. Currently somewhere in Kentucky? From STL area #gtchat
Jen in N IL. Mom to 2 2e boys, homeschooler of the older. Writer/blogger/flutist. FINALLY done w/the MS band sub gig. #SoTired Thrilled w/this #gtchat topic!
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
I'm Emily - host of @MindMattersPod (focusing on development and education of G/T kids), mental health counselor in private practice, 2e parent of 2e kids (is that like 2e-squared?) Previously taught G/T elem & middle school. Currently somewhere in Kentucky? From STL area #gtchat
Hi everyone! Justine from a very wet Auckland, New Zealand. PhD student studying gifted and talented ed and always a teacher. Although I'm not in the c'room now my heart is always with the students. #gtchat
I’m Kelly H from Wa. I am an elementary teacher, #ghfblogger, mama to homeschooled 2e DS12, and author of Boost: 12 Effective Ways to Lift Up Our Twice-Exceptional Children #gtchat
Hi everyone! Justine from a very wet Auckland, New Zealand. PhD student studying gifted and talented ed and always a teacher. Although I'm not in the c'room now my heart is always with the students. #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.
I’m Kelly H from Wa. I am an elementary teacher, #ghfblogger, mama to homeschooled 2e DS12, and author of Boost: 12 Effective Ways to Lift Up Our Twice-Exceptional Children #gtchat
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/BXpCBWEY56#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 effects of home and school environment on student achievement. #gtchat
A1) It should be measured in multiple ways and as authentically as possible. Students should be asked to create products that reflect the application of newly gained knowledge as it relates to real world situations. (1/2) #gtchat
A1) Student achievement should be measured by growth! How much has a child learned from the beginning of a topic to the end? This guarantees every child is at their instructional level. #gtchat
A1) #gtchat as a public school teacher, I will say that “how it is done” is very different from how it is done...unfortunately. Interests should be valued just as much as academics that may or may not be preferred
A1 And what would be measured? DS17 is a very non-trad student; trad school would call him struggling at best. He’s also the state’s best computer support services from Skills USA. #gtchat
A1 #gtchat
Student achievement can be measured several ways. Formative assessments are better than summative assessments because they allow for instruction to be adjusted to fit the student's needs. (part 1)
Hi everyone! I’m Cat, SIG’s Social Media Manager. Our answers tonight are from our President, Dr. Barbara Swicord! Looking forward to a great chat. #gtchat
Couldn't agree with this more! We individualise and personalise the learning and then assess with 'one size fits all' tools. There is a huge disconnect in what is done. #gtchat
A1) Wow! Big question to start! In an ideal world achievement would be measured individually on the progress and mastery of the student's learning #gtchat
A1 #gtchat (part 2)
I personally prefer authentic assessments that allow students to demonstrate their learning in ways that make sense to them rather than traditional assessment like tests.
A1 #gtchat
Student achievement can be measured several ways. Formative assessments are better than summative assessments because they allow for instruction to be adjusted to fit the student's needs. (part 1)
A1) #gtchat as a public school teacher, I am expected to show/ document growth. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; however, the focus is often on the most academically struggling or skills that GT have long mastered and aren’t interested in
A1. Needs to be a large amt of S voice in any assessment for it to truly reflect what a student is capable of. Sadly, many assessment tools don't allow for voice so we miss the opportunity to see what our students can really do - if we let it happen. #gtchat#disruptiveteaching
A2) There is strong evidence that school climate – student/teacher relationships; values and norms; shared practices – affects student achievement. #gtchat
A2 Oh lordy. If a kid doesn’t feel safe/welcomed/recognized for being HIM/HER...feel acknowledged for BEING...then any achievement will be difficult. #gtchat
That's the problem for gt kids. There is an absolute goal. Student achievement is measured by how near they came to reaching the goal. That's often zero growth for gt kids. #gtchat
A1) #gtchat as a public school teacher, I am expected to show/ document growth. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; however, the focus is often on the most academically struggling or skills that GT have long mastered and aren’t interested in
A2. The school climate can be key to a S's success. They need to know they own the learning - that it's not something 'done to' them. If they don't feel this then they won't take risks and explore what they can really do and learn. Ts must encourage this learning p'ship. #gtchat
It's also where our gifted students can get lost. They end up re-learning what they already know or can do because no starting point and prior knowledge was established. Leads to missed opportunities and lack of passion for learning. #gtchat
A2 #gtchat students need an environment that is safe; where they feel accepted and valued. They need a purpose for learning. If they have that, then they are more likely to achieve.
A2) If the school climate represents flexibility, encouragement, and challenge then the student will be more likely to engage on a creative level, take on managed risks, and feel supported. These are all factors leading to success in a school environment. #gtchat
I love this side of them! If you're a truly reflective practitioner, this lets you know without any doubt that you've missed the boat somewhere and it's time to backtrack and improve what you're doing as a teacher. #gtchat
Yuuup. BTDT. But homeschooling brought it back, and DS17 is one HELL of a kid. So proud of him & what he’s doing w/his out of the box brain. :) #gtchat
A3) Educators as role models impact students’ establishing goals for knowledge attainment, how they view their personal strengths, and their goals for the future. #gtchat
A3) #gtchat it is extremely important! An uneducated educator who doesn’t understand GT can be a deal breaker. Many teachers STILL don’t understand truly gifted
A3 After DS17 took 1st in Skills USA this month, he emailed the ONE teacher who truly believed in him, his 4th gr teacher. All on his own, wanted to say thanks. A tchr who teaches the KID & not the books, will make a huge difference. #gtchat
A3) A child's teacher is the most influential factor in a child's achievement. In addition to providing appropriate instruction, the rapport between S & T is vital. A child might hate math one year and love it the next, all because of the relationship with the T. #gtchat
A3) #gtchat it is extremely important! An uneducated educator who doesn’t understand GT can be a deal breaker. Many teachers STILL don’t understand truly gifted
A3) #gtchat my son’s 2nd grade teacher was amazing-kept him interested, engaged & didn’t doubt giftedness. 3rd grade was horrible-pulled him to homeschool mid year
A3) In contrast, students will assume negative perceptions by teachers of their abilities; such as, being thought of as lazy, unmotivated, or lacking ability. #gtchat
A3) A child's teacher is the most influential factor in a child's achievement. In addition to providing appropriate instruction, the rapport between S & T is vital. A child might hate math one year and love it the next, all because of the relationship with the T. #gtchat
A3 #gtchat The teacher is the day to day face of either encouragement or discouragement. Even if other environmental factors are negative, having that positive teacher can motivate students to believe in themselves, to continue trying and to achieve.
We are already half way through our chat! Thank you for sharing so many inspiring thoughts about the effects of home and school environment on student achievement! Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. #gtchat
This scares me the most. Most Ts are open to learning & teaching in a different way for these Ss but there are not the professional learning opportunities out there that there should be. Ts are crying out for information. I started a FB group for Ts and it's really grown. #gtchat
A3) A student will be eager to achieve for a teacher who they respect, a teacher who encourages their curiosity and gives the support and encouragement needed #gtchat
For us it was a wonderful preschool teacher. Teacher in 3rd grade was toxic. My kid is nearly 30 and he STILL suffers from the effects of that &*$*@*. #gtchat
A3) #gtchat my son’s 2nd grade teacher was amazing-kept him interested, engaged & didn’t doubt giftedness. 3rd grade was horrible-pulled him to homeschool mid year
A3) A child's teacher is the most influential factor in a child's achievement. In addition to providing appropriate instruction, the rapport between S & T is vital. A child might hate math one year and love it the next, all because of the relationship with the T. #gtchat
#gtchat unfortunately they do not receive training. I have been a teacher for 27 yrs and no one has trained me-I have educated myself. Many don’t understand high achieving and giftedor the unique social/emotional needs
Hi #gtchat I was the guy who fell asleep in the back of the classroom. Aka #smartalec parent of 1 gt kid now making lots of money. (You don’t want to know!)
A3) Teachers can have a positive effect on student achievement by encouraging students to do their best and by having high expectations of student performance. #gtchat
A3) Greatly! Teachers can show that they care about the individual needs/interests of the student & modify instruction accordingly — or they can be dogmatic, inflexible, & perfectionistic. The former is more likely to motivate students to be successful in academic tasks. #gtchat
Welcome to #gtchat Mr. Moore! Many of us can relate. Students are surprised when I tell them that I spent a lot of time in the principal's office. ;) #gtchat
Hi #gtchat I was the guy who fell asleep in the back of the classroom. Aka #smartalec parent of 1 gt kid now making lots of money. (You don’t want to know!)
The Impact of School Climate and School Identification on Academic Achievement: Multilevel Modeling with Student and Teacher Data https://t.co/Dp4q0asMzO#gtchat
It's quite scary given the numbers of students who are gifted and talented. I think it's a global issue and time it was addressed - for the sake of our students and our teachers. #gtchat
In reply to
@AguilarGHS, @MyTBP, @gtchatmod, @GTChat
A4) Interventions should stress building strong bonds between school mission and removal of barriers to full participation by all students in school activities fostering an affinity for school. #gtchat
I'm not sure I totally get a school wide initiative for achievement. How would that be measured? Benchmark testing that isn't relevant for G/T kids? #gtchat
A4) #gtchat Not so much focus on the lowest avhievement. Taking into account asynchronous dev in identifying GT students. Allow for more time on interests instead of GT getting stuck w/o true learning opportunities!
Q4 #gtchat The implications will depend on the initiative. If the goal is to get every student to a predetermined level or standard, then the focus will be only on underachieving students. The problem is defining achievement for all students. It must be individualized.
A4) If school initiatives are designed to improve student achievement the students would be more likely to be happy and mentally healthy and have better prospects for their futures #gtchat
A4) Many Gifted Strategies would benefit a lot of Ss. We need to remind the people who make it happen. I am so excited to be able to do this with my school. #KSSchoolRedesign#gtchat
A4: Stop bulliying. No one learns well if they have to run away all day. And just make people aware of our existance.
Create an environment where emotional stability is possible. #gtchat
I wonder if part of the reason has been the huge focus on 'lifting the tail' of underachievement in so many countries? I know that's been an issue in NZ. For me, it's important to focus on ALL Ss but there's so much pressure on Ts to focus on one area. #gtchat
Agree. We often get what we expect. I loved Adora Svitak's TED Talk. Have shared it so many times over the years - with Ss and Ts. https://t.co/Bi5xyeBDsn#gtchat
A5 All home environments should be educationally based with books, learning activities/games available. My Study & Organization page https://t.co/rqrej1dmaD will help your child develop study habits & be better organized My Learning pages https://t.co/MFlrDcEYdB#edchat#gtchat
A4) Assess things that matter, assess students from where they start, use a collaborative approach w/ the student to agree on criteria for success & work together to meet those goals. (1/2) #gtchat
A5) The home environment sets the stage for openness to learning; appreciation for achievement; and opportunity for learning outside of school. #gtchat
A5) A good home environment for gt kids is one where they are accepted just as their are and where their interests are nurtured. They get unconditional "like," not just unconditional "love." #gtchat
Sadly, that seems to be the predominant attitude doesn't it. Gosh we've got some work to do to shift that thinking - especially when it seems to come from higher up. #gtchat
A5) Creating a positive atmosphere in the home that nurtures, encourages, and responds to a child’s needs in a caring and fostering way will promote healthy academic achievement. #gtchat
A5 #gtchat I think any teacher will tell you that the home environment is huge when it comes to learning and achievement. As much as teachers and schools do to try to support students, if the home environment is stressful, the student will struggle.
A5: it has a huge effect. If a student's home life bothers them, they will concentrate on this, rather than schoolwork. Again, I think the key here is emotional stability, bc emotions are one of the biggest causes why the brain can't work #gtchat
A5) A positive home environment that promotes student achievement will include provide ample reading materials, visits to libraries and regional enrichment opportunities such as museums or historical sites & time with intellectual peers. #gtchat
A5) Creating a positive atmosphere in the home that nurtures, encourages, and responds to a child’s needs in a caring and fostering way will promote healthy academic achievement. #gtchat
I think that's been a large part of the problem here in NZ and globally in the past. I'm very hopeful that our new govt thinks and understands beyond this. @chrishipkins@TraceyMartinMP#gtchat
In reply to
@AguilarGHS, @chrishipkins, @TraceyMartinMP
A5) Also great. Parents can encourage risk-taking, individualized approaches to learning, focus on process, teach the importance of making mistakes and learning from them... (1/3) #gtchat
A6) Parent attitudes about achievement have a bigger influence on achievement with younger students. Research shows older kids are more influenced by peers' interests/approval than parents'. #gtchat
A6) Parents purposefully involving themselves in their child’s academic life by setting a positive tone about the importance of education can strongly influence achievement. #gtchat
A6 Well...someone’s gotta do all the driving to afterschooling. ;) Jokes aside, parents who’re involved but not overly so provide a springboard to their kids. #gtchat
A6) For #2e kids, parent support is a requirement for achievement. Parent advocacy for accommodations plus spending half their life running around as an external frontal lobe for their child is the only way some kids survive, let alone achieve their max potential. #gtchat
A6) #gtchat I have had to kick into mama bear more times than I can count! Must educate educators and learn to advocate! Must provide opportunities to encourage interests and support struggles
A5) Parents should also encourage creative and complex thinking at home by asking high-level and open-ended questions. They should not expect or require perfection. (3/3) #gtchat
Hi Justine, just found the #gtchat nice to connect! If there are teachers and students who love creating with ICT https://t.co/a9BiBFa1bc a student innovation and technology competition is in Auckland this year and would love to see everyone's ideas at the event.
A6) When parents and caregivers provide strong and clear messages about aspirations for their children regarding school performance, student achievement is positively impacted. #gtchat
A6) Parents bring classroom/surface learning into real world context by pointing out where they are using it outside the classroom. Gives them the why and authentic reasons for learning. #gtchat
If you podcast and are interested in underachievement, you've really gotta listen to this episode of @MindMattersPod with @jimdelisle3. He touches on so many of the issues we've addressed during this chat! #gtchat
A5 - Home should promote the importance of learning. Grades are just one way to measure learning and generally encourage competition - something that often promotes chasing grades vs. content mastery. #gtchat
A5) Parents need to find the balance between support and encouragement and locating opportunities/information and becoming over involved or taking over #gtchat
Thanks to the spectacular #TAGT staff @TxGifted for their continuing support; we couldn’t do it without them! Welcome to our new Executive Director Paulina van Eeden Hill! #gtchat
A6 #gtchat Parental involvement is important in students achievement. Balance is also important. On the low end, students may not feel that school is as important as other things. However, too much and students will have to deal with too much stress-unreasonable expectations
#gtchat Many still don’t understand that our GT are very vulnerable! They need advocates and educated teachers who understand them and their unique needs!
A6) If we re-characterize this as *family engagement*, we recognize the link between engaging both students and families and the student's achievement. "Involvement" means too many things to have a direct link. #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday May 31st at 8E/7C/6M/5P US and Friday 1st June at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Books, Blogs & Documentaries for GT Parents and Teachers” #gtchat
