Montana AGATE Conference
Schedule for Thursday, April 11, 2013
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Opening Information and Keynote Address – Ballroom ABC
"Who ARE these creative bright children?!"~ Keynote Address by Jean Watts ~ Ballroom ABC
Now that she's retired, and her own children grown, Jean finally has some perspective on what worked with
both areas- a reflective commentary on who creative bright children are, and how we can help them pursue
their passions.
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Write On! ~ Jean Watts ~ Ballroom AB ~
Tactics and reasons to use personal reading, and a writer’s notebook, to help kids become better writers.
Introduction to Lego Mindstorm NXT Robotics ~ Gregg Switzer ~ Ballroom C ~ Lego Mindstorms NXT is ideal for
middle schoolers and up wanting to explore robotics. Join this hands-on workshop to build and program a working
robot from the ground up and soon you will see why this is the most popular robotics platform out there with
seemingly limitless possibilities.
Extension Menus to Expand Learning ~ Julie Early ~ Ballroom D ~ This session will provide extended learning for
gifted students through the use of extension menus in the regular classroom. Extension menus give student
choices of deepening their learning independently from the rest of the class, but still learning similar curriculum.
All subject areas can use these menus.
Chess in the Classroom ~ Doug Hansen ~ Glacier/Yellowstone ~ This session will focus on discussion of teaching
strategies and tactics with respect to chess as an enhancement of classroom instruction.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Dynamic Response to Relational Learning: Simple Ideas with Profound Effects ~ Tim Johnson ~ Ballroom A ~
Many GT Programs compete with the overall structure of public education. Why do educators struggle with
getting GT students what they need? What if a school structure was built around a dynamic model with high
student motivation as the goal? This presentation will cover structural ideas that compliment standards, not
compete with them.
Nurturing a Mathematical Gift into a Passion ~ Ed Zacarro ~ Ballroom B ~ A failure to find mathematics
challenging, interesting, or relevant are significant factors when children lose interest in mathematics.
Children who are talented in mathematics must be exposed to material that lights a fire and nurtures their
gift. This session will give teachers information that will help them nurture their students’ passion for
mathematics.
Common Core Canines – A Pack of Great Dog Books to Fetch Common Core Standards ~ Sneed B. Collard III ~
Sweet Ballroom C ~ Woof! Woof! Noted Montana Children’s author Sneed B. Collard III (Shep, The Governor’s
Dog is Missing, Dog 4491) tours his favorite books by Montana authors - especially those focusing on dogs,
wolves, and other topics that lend themselves to Montana’s Common Core teaching goals. Handouts, study
guides, and treats for the brightest members of the pack!
Managing Independent Learning in the Primary Classroom Using the Daily 5 System ~ Nikki Vradenburg ~
Ballroom D ~ The Daily 5 is a structure that helps students develop the daily habits of reading, writing, and
working independently that frees up the teacher to work with small groups and individuals. Come see how
one Montana Kindergarten and First Grade teacher meets the needs of her students at all levels of instruction,
especially her gifted students using the Daily 5 in her classroom.
Coping with Intensity ~ Wendy Morical ~ Glacier/Yellowstone ~ Gifted children’s experience of both the
world around them and feelings from within can be overwhelmingly intense. Because they perceive and
process things differently than others, gifted kids are often misunderstood. This session will share
Dabrowski’s five “overexcitabilities” (imaginational, intellectual, psychomotor, aesthetic, emotional) and equip
participants to better understand and support intense children.
Writing a Comprehensive GT Program Plan ~ Heather Ferguson ~ Madison/Jefferson ~ New OPI GT grant
requirements include a comprehensive GT program plan. In this session, Heather Ferguson from OPI will be
going over how to write a plan that will get you on the right track for grant approval. This session is for GT
specialists/coordinators or persons responsible for grant writing in your district. A work session is scheduled
during the next breakout session block.
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Apt Apps ~ Jean Watts ~ Ballroom B ~ New iPad for Christmas? Here are some app ideas to help diverse learners in
your classroom or home. This breakout is for beginners.
“Bag of Tricks”: Easy Elementary Differentiation ~ Lisa Heitt & Estee Aiken ~ Ballroom A ~ Two long-time
teachers of GT Students will share their “tricks of the trade”. Attendees will add to their “bag of tricks” with many
easy and effective differentiation ideas.
Appy Teachers ~ Tracie McCrossin & Jessica Dufresne ~ Ballroom C ~ This workshop will focus on using IPads as a
teacher tool. We will explore ways to use the IPad to help teachers organize, plan, and differentiate instruction.
We will also talk about the “nuts and bolts” of setting up IPad users and expectations, as well as implementation in
the school setting.
Breakfast for the Brain ~ Scott Hobson ~ Ballroom D ~ Join author, speaker, and educational consultant, Scott
Hobson for this informative and entertaining workshop. Learn how to get your daily serving of critical thinking.
Don’t just give your students more things to do. Give them better (more meaningful) things to do. Experience how
to ignite their imagination and creative thinking. Participants will learn engaging activities that they can use at
home or in schools to motivate children for higher level thinking.
Explore Montessori Education Through the Eyes of Gifted ~ Farrior Shockley & Christine Phillips ~
Glacier/Yellowstone ~ Join gifted specialist Farrior Shockley and Montessori educator Christine Phillips to examine
how the key elements of Montessori education provide a rich, nurturing environment for the gifted child, offering
acceleration, curriculum compacting, differentiation, and creative inquiry. Learn Montessori principles and what it
could mean for your child or students.
Writing a Comprehensive GT Program Plan Work Session ~ Heather Ferguson ~ Madison/Jefferson ~ This is a
work session for any participants that attended the previous session needing to begin writing their district GT plan
that are to accompany GT grant applications.
6:00 p.m.
Missoula Area Parent Group Informational Meeting ~ Ballroom B
7:00 p.m.
An Evening with the Experts ~ Panel Discussion with National Presenters
~ Ballroom B ~ FREE session for parents and other interested individuals.
Schedule for Friday, April 13, 2012
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Opening Information and Keynote Address – Ballroom ABC
The Gifted Children’s Bill of Rights ~ Keynote Address by Del Siegle ~ Ballroom ABC ~ What should children
know about their talents? How do perfectionism and procrastination play into talent development? Do
children have a right not to be good at everything? This presentation will address 10 rights that children have
on the way to developing their gifts and talents. Learn what you can do to help your students want to learn
and flourish.
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Tackling and Addressing Underachievement: Increasing Motivation in Students~ Del Siegle ~ Ballroom AB ~
Why are some gifted children willing to tackle new challenges, while others seem insecure or uninterested?
Are there strategies teachers can implement that promote an achievement-oriented attitude? While there are
many factors that contribute to achievement, achievement-oriented students exhibit four key traits: 1) they
believe that they have the skills to perform well; 2) they expect that they can succeed; 3) they believe what
they are doing is meaningful; and 4) they set realistic expectations and implement strategies to successfully
complete their goals. While there is no silver bullet to reverse underachievement, we’ll discuss specific
strategies to improve student achievement by improving students’ attitudes in these four areas.
Practical Ideas for Improving Writing and Critical Thinking in Gifted Children ~ Scott Hobson ~ Ballroom C ~
This workshop will help teachers assist their students in developing fluency in thinking and writing. They will
develop options for problem-solving and critical thinking. Participants will gain time-saving strategies and
creative ideas for activities. A variety of writing and critical thinking activities that have been used successfully
with gifted children will be shared in an interactive presentation. Grade 2-9 educators who work in
classrooms or small groups will greatly profit from the hands on, practical activities that are shared.
Participants will leave with a variety of specific strategies for making delivery of instruction more dynamic and
fruitful.
Appy Gifted Kids ~ Tracie McCrossin & Jessica Dufresne ~ Ballroom D ~ Using Bloom’s Taxonomy, we will
explore the use of I-devices and their applications. This workshop will focus on different “apps” that will
challenge all students and push their learning further. Come ready to explore apps and their possibilities in
the classroom.
Introduction to Lego WeDo Robotics: Combining Technology with Literature ~ Gregg Switzer ~
Glacier/Yellowstone ~ Lego WeDo robotics enable younger kids ages 6-9 to quickly assemble animals and machines
with motors, gears, and sensors, then bring them to life with kid-intuitive computer programming. Join this hands-on
workshop to build and program a robot that can help act out your favorite story.
This Year’s Kid Not Next Year’s Teacher ~ Tamara Fisher ~ Ballroom C ~ Do you find yourself at a loss for
words when someone tells you “but all kids are gifted,” “if I let them do that this year, what will next year’s
teacher do with them,” “give it a couple of years, the other kids will catch up,” and other such ill-informed
mythology? How can we effectively respond to these and similar statements and ways of thinking? Come
learn and share strategies for responding to and debunking well-intentioned but woeful wrong beliefs. It all
begins by focusing on this year’s kid, not next year’s teacher.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Creating Electronic Books (eBooks): It’s Easy and Free ~ Del Siegle ~ Ballroom AB ~ Gifted and talented
students can begin their publishing careers early, thanks to electronic books. During this session we will
demonstrate how gifted students can create their own electronic books for eBook readers. We will also share
how educators can freely download hundreds of classic book titles from the internet and use them with
talented readers. Learn how eBooks can read to students, provide word definitions, translate words into other
languages, and more.
Amazing Online Resources ~ Tamara Fisher ~ Ballroom C ~ Technology has expanded opportunities in ways
unimaginable even five years ago. This presentation will highlight a wide range of online resources, tools,
software, and tutorials that students, parents, and teachers can use to knock down the “walls” of school and
make inspired possibility a reality.
Fun and Learning with Simulations ~ Julie Early ~ Ballroom D ~ In either a self-contained room or pull-out
program, simulations challenge students to learn more about a variety of topics. Many programs are already
created, you just need to implement and let students go wild.
Creating Common Denominators ~ Cheryl Hecht ~ Glacier/Yellowstone ~ Participants use index cards to
prove the power and importance of a common denominator. The lesson is differentiated by participant
knowledge of fractions (i.e. components of fraction) to prove addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
of fractions.
SENG Model Parent Groups: What are They and How Do They Work? ~ Nikki Vradenburg & Wendy Morical ~
Madison/Jefferson ~ Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), is a non-profit group devoted to
supporting parents as they raise gifted children. Come learn about how a parent discussion group can bring your
community together and foster healthy relationships between gifted children and the adults in their lives. Trained
SENG facilitators will share their knowledge and experience with SENG model parent groups.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
12 Math Problem Solving Strategies That Will Help All Students ~ Ed Zacarro ~ Ballroom A ~ Because problem
solving can be difficult – even for gifted students – it is important for each student to have a “tool-belt” of problem
solving strategies. Many of the strategies presented in this session will force students to change their normal
patterns and approach each problem in a different way. You will leave this session with many unique problemsolving techniques that will help all students be more successful in math contests and on tests—including SAT and
ACT tests.
How to Create a High Tech 21st Century Gifted Classroom ~ Holly Kincaid ~ Ballroom B ~ Participants will gain
knowledge and understanding of the latest and greatest high tech tools/apps and their potential uses to
promote students‘ 21st century skills of critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration.
Participants will be introduced to new technologies and gain ideas for using familiar tools in new ways. There
is something for everyone in this exciting, practical session.
What Works & What Doesn’t: Gifted Education from a Student’s Perspective ~Milou de Meij ~Ballroom C ~
This presentation will focus on the benefits of differentiated learning and testing out vs. skipping a grade, the
importance of parental involvement with regard to helping their child gain confidence while advocating for
stimulating learning, and the importance of peers with equal aptitude and interest in education - all from the
persepctive of a gifted high school Junior.
Indentifying Young Gifted Children in the Regular Classroom ~ Estee Aiken ~ Ballroom D ~ Many young gifted
children go unidentified; though they show many common characteristics in the classroom. This session will
profile characteristics classroom teachers can look for in K-3 settings and strategies for meeting advanced
learner‘s needs in the regular classroom.
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
General Session ~ Annual AGATE Membership Meeting ~ Ballroom B ~
ALL ARE WELCOME! This is the yearly business meeting of the AGATE membership.
7:00 p.m.
SAT and AGATE Scholarship Awards Ceremony ~ Ballroom ABC~
“Unlocking the Power of Who You Are” by keynote speaker Del Siegle
ALL ARE WELCOME! Join parents and students from around Montana as they receive recognition for
participation in the 2012 SAT Challenge and AGATE summer scholarship awards.
My Personal Schedule
Check the sessions you plan to attend
Thursday, April 11, 2013
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. “Who ARE These Creative Children?” Keynote Address by Jean Watts – Ballroom ABC
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
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Write On! ~ Jean Watts ~ Ballroom AB
Introduction to Lego Mindstorm NXT Robotics ~ Gregg Switzer ~ Ballroom C
Extension Menus to Expand Learning ~ Julie Early ~ Ballroom D
Chess in the Classroom ~ Doug Hansen ~ Glacier/Yellowstone
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
 Dynamic Response to Relational Learning: Simple Ideas with Profound Effects ~ Tim Johnson ~
Ballroom A
 Nurturing a Mathematical Gift into a Passion ~ Ed Zacarro ~ Ballroom
 Common Core Canines – A pack of Great Dog Books to Fetch Common Core Standards ~ Sneed B.
Collard III ~ Sweet Ballroom C
 Managing Independent Learning in the Primary Classroom Using the Daily 5 System ~ Nikki
Vradenburg ~ Ballroom
 Coping with Intensity ~ Wendy Morical ~ Glacier/Yellowstone
 Writing a Comprehensive GT Program Plan ~ Heather Ferguson ~ Madison/Jefferson
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS





Apt Apps ~ Jean Watts ~ Ballroom B
“Bag of Tricks”: Easy Elementary Differentiation ~ Lisa Heitt & Estee Aiken ~ Ballroom
Appy Teachers ~ Tracie McCrossin & Jessica Dufresne ~ Ballroom
Breakfast for the Brain ~ Scott Hobson ~ Ballroom D
Explore Montessori Education Through the Eyes of Gifted ~ Farrior Shockley & Christine Phillips ~
Glacier/Yellowstone
 Writing a Comprehensive GT Program Plan Work Session ~ Heather Ferguson ~ Madison/Jefferson
6:00 p.m.
Missoula Area Parent Group Informational Meeting ~ Ballroom B
7:00 p.m.
An Evening with the Experts ~ Panel Discussion with National Presenters ~ Ballroom B
FREE session for parents and other interested individuals.
My Personal Schedule
Friday, April 13, 2012
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. “The Gifted Children’s Bill of Rights” Keynote Address by Del Siegle – Ballroom ABC
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
 Tackling and Addressing Underachievement: Increasing Motivation in Students ~ Del Siegle ~
Ballroom AB
 Practical Ideas for Improving Writing & Critical Thinking in Gifted Children ~ Scott Hobson~Ballroom C
 Appy Gifted Kids ~ Tracie McCrossin & Jessica Dufresne ~ Ballroom D
 Introduction to Lego WeDo Robotics: Combining Technology with Literature ~ Gregg Switzer ~
Glacier/Yellowstone
 This Year’s Kid Not Next Year’s Teacher ~ Tamara Fisher ~ Ballroom C
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.





BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Creating Electronic Books (eBooks): It’s Easy and Free ~ Del Siegle ~ Ballroom AB
Amazing Online Resources ~ Tamara Fisher ~ Ballroom C
Fun and Learning with Simulations ~ Julie Early ~ Ballroom D
Creating Common Denominators ~ Cheryl Hecht ~ Glacier/Yellowstone
SENG Model Parent Groups: What are They and How Do They Work? ~ Nikki Vradenburg & Wendy
Morical ~ Madison/Jefferson.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
 12 Math Problem Solving Strategies That Will Help All Students ~ Ed Zacarro ~ Ballroom A
 How to Create a High Tech 21st Century Gifted Classroom ~ Holly Kincaid ~ Ballroom B
 What Works & What Doesn’t: Gifted Education from a Student’s Perspective ~ Milou de Meij ~
Ballroom C
 Indentifying Young Gifted Children in the Regular Classroom ~ Estee Aiken ~ Ballroom D
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. General Session ~ Annual AGATE Membership Meeting
ALL ARE WELCOME! This is the yearly business meeting of the AGATE membership.
~
Ballroom
B
7:00 p.m.
SAT and AGATE Scholarship Awards Ceremony ~ Ballroom ABC
“Unlocking the Power of Who You Are” by keynote speaker Del Siegle
ALL ARE WELCOME! Join parents and students from around Montana as they receive recognition for
participation in the 2012 SAT Challenge and AGATE summer scholarship awards.