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Showing posts from September, 2020

Why You Should Not Use Gifted Students as Tutors

I recently read this article and I think it's really interesting. I think the assumption that all bright students can be tutors is flawed. I think this will be an interesting piece to discuss with teachers. Meredith Why You Should Not Use Gifted Students as Tutors BY LISA VAN GEMERT LEAVE A COMMENT Gifted students should not be used as tutors for other students as standard practice. This should not be a controversial statement, and yet somehow it is. Gifted children should not be used as short little mini-teachers for other students for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they’re not good at it. Even if someone is unconcerned with what is fair or best for the gifted child him- or herself, the gifted child is not the ideal tutor. If we do concern ourselves with what is fair or best for gifted children, we must accept that the gifted child deserves more than that out of their education. While I’m the first to admit that teachers have more responsibility on them

PSAT at JHS

Dear DA Sophomores, The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides first hand practice for the SAT®. It also gives juniors a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. The Gifted and Talented Dept will pay for you to take the PSAT to help you practice your test taking skills as a part of the DA program. If you are interested in taking the test it will be offered IN PERSON and there is not an online version. I am sorry that means some of you will not feel comfortable taking it. Jefferson is offering the PSAT on Thursday, October 29, 2020. Students will need to be at JHS by 7:50 am and will need to wear masks. To register to take it at JHS compete this google doc. Meredith

Information about our GT programs for BPS

  BPS Families, Bloomington Public Schools offers a variety of gifted and talented programs and services for students at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Learn more about our programs on the  district website .  Please join us for an informational meeting about program application and deadlines for the 2021-22 school year.  Tuesday, September 29 - Elementary GT Programs Informational Mtg. Elements (Grades 2&3) & Dimensions Academy (Grades 4&5) 6:30-7:30p.m. Join virtually @  meet.google.com/xbx-kxhh-qnx Monday, October 5 - Middle School GT Programs Informational Mtg. Dimensions Academy 6:00-6:45p.m. Join virtually:  meet.google.com/mmg-dgyh-gva Nobel 7:00-7:45p.m. Join virtually:  meet.google.com/qjf-djep-fbk Tuesday, October 6 - Kennedy High School GT Nobel Program Info. Mtg. Nobel 7:00-8:00p.m. Join virtually: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/82644102118?pwd= RkozYXcxWHJTQStqeUdjNEVQMjU5UT 09 Information meetings for Dimensions Academy High School STEM and

Thinking about college visits with my students

  Today I'm virtually attending  A Conversation with Carleton, Macalester, and St. Olaf featuring Vice President of Admissions & Financial Aid Jeff Allen, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid Chris George, and Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid Art Rodriguez.  I normally take students to visit college campuses but with the pandemic that can't happen so I'm thinking of ways to get my kids thinking about colleges in this distance learning/pandemic educational environment. In the conversation they discussed the affect of so many first years delaying the start of college this year, the impact of early action, and the fact that they are going test optional (no SAT/ACT requirement). If you don't know what early action is check out this article .

DA STEM orientation

  If you or your student missed the orientation tonight it is linked   here .  Start the video at 8 minutes in.   Please let me know if I can help you or your student as we get this school year started.  

DA STEM - Return to Learn info

  Dear DA 10 STEM students, You have now completed 2 weeks of college.  You are hopefully feeling like you've got Distance Learning at NCC under control and feeling like you can add on your JHS/KHS classes.  If not, lets work on that together.  I want to help you be successful! If you are missing a Chemistry, Calc, Geology or Chem set for your NCC class please let me know ASAP so I can get one to your high school so you can get it on Wednesday for materials pick.   Some folks have asked me for the details about pictures and school materials pick up and that info is in the Return to Learn info from your principal.  I'm including those links below.   Kennedy Return to School Info  Jefferson Return to School Info  I read this article today and I think that it has a lot of info that is applicable to being a successful DA student too.   How college students can make the most of remote learning ​ Good luck this week as you add on more classes to your schedule, Meredith​

Return to Learn - DA 10 Humanities

  Dear DA 10 Humanities families, Many of you have asked me for the details about pictures and school materials pick up and that info is in the Return to Learn info from your principal.  I'm including those links below.  If you are in DA Humanities and weren't able to get your materials from me last week then be sure to mention you need your DA bag from me at pick up. Kennedy Return to School Info  Jefferson Return to School Info  If you are in my DA 10 History class I made some changes to my schedule for week one so please use this one .  This also has the link for our class meets.  I read this article today and I think that it has a lot of info that is applicable to being a successful DA student too.   How college students can make the most of remote learning ​ I hope we will have a great first week at school!   Meredith​

Return to Learn - DA 9

  Dear DA 9 families, Several of you have asked for help with compiling the schedule and class links together.  This link will take you to a google doc you can copy and then edit for yourself.  The first schedule has the links and times for DA STEM and the second one has that for DA Humanities.  Many of you have asked me for the details about pictures and school materials pick up and that info is in the Return to Learn info from your principal.  I'm including those links below.  If you are in DA Humanities and weren't able to get your materials from me last week then be sure to mention you need your DA bag from me at pick up. Kennedy Return to School Info  Jefferson Return to School Info  If you are in my DA 9 Social Studies class I made some changes to my schedule for week one so please use this one .   I read this article today and I think that it has a lot of info that is applicable to being a successful DA student too.   How college students can make the most of remote lea

DA Humanities

 We had our DA Humanities orientation meeting for our 9th and 10th grade cohorts last night.  Here is the slideshow if you missed it.  Hope to see folks on Thursday! Thursday, September 3rd from 4-6 pm in the Kennedy parking lot We will have a tent set up We will try to have your Chromebook & your books for you to pick up  If you can’t come we can leave materials for you to pick up next week on Sept 8th or 9th It’s an opportunity to meet us in person :)