This document provides information from a GT parent meeting for first and second grade students. It discusses how children qualify for GT programs by scoring highly on assessments of logical reasoning, visual/spatial skills, verbal abilities, and academic aptitude. It outlines the activities students engage in during GT sessions, focusing on developing thinking skills like reasoning, brainstorming, and problem solving. The document also addresses student progress reports, contact information for the teacher, and a wish list for classroom supplies.

1. Welcome to the
First & Second Grade
GT Parent Meeting
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH, 2013
ENCINO PARK
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ROOM 1150
MRS. CHANDLER

2. How did my child qualify for GT?
Children’s skills in the following areas were
assessed:
Logical, mathematical reasoning
 Visual, spatial reasoning
 Verbal and figural skills
 Academic aptitude
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GT students scored higher than 90% of their age
peers on a majority of our testing measures.

3. When does my child attend GT?
Second Grade – Mondays from 12:00-2:30
First Grade – Mondays & Fridays from 9:45-11:15
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GT students remain with homeroom class in the case of a
special event such as a field trip or class party.

4. What kinds of activities does my child
work on in GT?
 Developing thinking and reasoning skills
 Supporting ideas and opinions
 Recognizing and valuing opposing viewpoints
 Accepting ambiguity

5. Convergent Thinking
Develop logical thinking by learning to:
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Find and organize clues
Take time for reflection (don’t jump to conclusions)
Put clues together
Determine the ONE right answer

6. Logic Puzzle
Money
Balls
Prizes
targets
 1. Laura, and the girl
Sean
Laura
Nathan
Heather
who collected money,
and the boy who
handed out balls, and
the boy who set up
targets really enjoyed
working in the booth.
 2. Nathan did not
hand out balls.

7. Divergent Thinking
 Develop creative thinking by recognizing that:
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The more ideas the better!
Changing categories is great
Wild and zany ideas are welcome
Ideas shouldn’t be judged
Piggybacking on the ideas of others is cool.

8. Brainstorming
What do you see?
An airplane flying over
a mountain
The top of a beanie
A grumpy face

9. Visual Thinking
Develop spatial reasoning by
Looking at things in different ways
 Using what is seen as clues
 Moving shapes around in your mind
 Recognizing patterns
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10. How can you use 3 popsicle sticks to
divide each figure into an area by itself?

11. Evaluative Thinking
Putting the other thinking skills to practical
purposes:
Determining the problem
 Brainstorming possible solutions
 Developing criteria
 Judging the best answer


12. What kind of birthday party should I have?
How many people do I want to invite?
How much money can I spend?
When is the best time to have my party?
What will be the most fun?

13. Six Hat Thinking
Builds a foundation for
problem solving program
used in grades 3-5.
Gives students an
opportunity to consider
points of view,
consequences of actions,
and to explore a variety of
potential solutions.

14. Depth & Complexity
11 icons or pictures that
help students dive
deeper into the
curriculum or specific
topic
Helps guide students’
thinking.
Adds rigor and
relevance.

15. Wonders – 1st Grade
Phineas Frog
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All over the world cultural
connections contain
similarities and differences.
Wonders of the World
Geography
Other Cultures

16. Structures – 2nd Grade
 Natural and Manmade
structures in the world
 What is a structure?
 What gives a structure
strength?
 What similarities and
differences are there in
structures made my
man and those found in
nature?

17. Future Years in GT
NEISD has 3 GT programs: K-2, 3-5, and secondary.
A student in GT in kinder or 1st grade will continue to
remain in GT through the end of 2nd grade with no
additional testing.
At the end of 2nd grade all GT students are exited from
the program and must be retested at the beginning of
3rd grade. Not all 2nd grade GT students will qualify as
3rd graders. All students in that were in GT previously
will be retested.
The qualification standard is higher in the 3-5
Program. Any student with an InView score at or
above the 95th percentile will be tested at the
beginning of 3rd grade for the 3-5 program.

18. Student Progress & Report Cards
Report cards will go home
 2 times for 2nd grade (January, and May)
 1 time for 1st grade (May)
Please return signature slip. You may keep the
report and any work that comes home at that time.

19. Website
Please visit my website and blog with your
child.
Many of the online resources we use in class
are posted there.
I also have a variety of games and activities
that the children enjoy under “Links” on my
teacher webpage.

20. Wish List
We are always in need of…
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Glue sticks – our most needed supply!
Watercolor paper
Baby wipes
Ziploc bags (gallon and/or sandwich, quart)
Oil Pastels or Chalk Pastels
Black Sharpie markers (regular and fine point)
Another option – gift cards for supplies: HEB, Target, Hobby
Lobby, Michaels, Half Price Books.
Thank you for your help!

21. Contact me
Feel free to contact me if you have questions or
concerns. Email is the best way to get in contact with
me. 
My email address is achand4@neisd.net
Teacher website:
http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/achand4
Our GT classroom blog:
http://blogs.neisd.net/achand4/