Welcome, GATE parents!
Amy Cochren
Language Arts 7
Foreign Language 6
Thurston GATE coordinator
AGENDA
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GATE goals 2007 and 2008
Communication efforts
GATE characteristics
Differentiated instruction
Clubs
Competitions
Field trips
Goal setting process and the ILP
GOALS

Promote “dedication, desire, discipline”
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Communicate current clubs, activities, and
differentiation in 6 week newsletter/blog

Encourage parents and teachers to
sponsor clubs, competitions, or events to
meet diverse needs

Offer incentives for participation
Communication
Thurston Website
 Teacher blogs
 GATE blog
 Six week newsletters
 PACE phone calls
 ILP conference
 Aeries

Characteristics of a gifted child
Strong problem-solving ability
 High degree of creativity
 Keen sense of humor
 Possesses a large store of info on a variety
of topics
 Insatiable curiosity or persistence
 Preference of older companions

Characteristics of a gifted child
Demonstration of intense emotional or
physical sensitivity
 Rapid learning without repetition
 Perfectionism
 Passionate in interest areas
 Desire to question authority
 Possesses a strong sense of justice
 Usage of advanced vocabulary

Effective teachers of GATE
Passion for learning that is modeled
 Genuine concern for and enjoyment of
teaching gifted learners
 Respect for individual differences and
tolerant of divergent behaviors
 A willingness to be a risk taker
 A flexibility and openness

Effective teachers of GATE
Sense of humor
 Secure sense of self
 A willingness to place the child’s needs
above bureaucratic demands

Math Instruction

Ms. Stacy Quirarte

Algebra

Geometry

Advanced curriculum
Language Arts
Cluster grouping
 Vocabulary Power Plus
 Mythology Olympiad Competition
 Suggested reading
 Independent reading choices
 Above and Beyond Challenges
 Scripps Spelling Bee, Shakespeare Club,
Creative Writing Club, A Christmas Carol
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Differentiated Instruction
Multiple intelligences within the classroom
 Questioning techniques
 Challenges
 Project or reading options
 District offers professional development
opportunities for GATE teachers
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Electives
Foreign language wheel
 Spanish and French for high school credit
 Math for high school credit
 Drama
 Music
 Physical education
 Multi-media
 Leadership

Clubs
Shakespeare
 Scripp’s Spelling Bee
 Vocabulary Power Plus
 Above and Beyond
 Chess
 Anime
 Sign language club

Clubs
Jogging
 Weight training
 Spanish and French
 Sign language

Competitions
Spelling Bee
 Short Story Contest
 Persuasive Writing Contest
 Mythology Olympiad
 Geography Bee
 Science Olympiad
 Math Stars

Field trips
Ten or more students needed
 Parent volunteers needed
 Email suggestions!
 A Christmas Carol at South Coast date of
November 25th at 4:00 pm
 Knott’s Berry Farm Physics’ Day tentative
date of March 6th
 Griffith Planetarium?

Field trips
Mr. Dixon and Spanish Club
 Ms. Beckley—south of France
 Mrs. Cochren—Paris, Florence, Rome
 Mrs. Martinez—World War II trip
 Mr. Dressler—Broadway tour
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Watch the blog and newsletter!
Advance notice of the 6 week offerings on
Thurston campus
 Interest deadlines are important!
 Minimum of 10 participants for activities to
be offered

PACE phone calls will remind you of new
postings and newsletter distribution.
Goal Setting
Students will receive instructions next
week!
 Return of form by deadline = pizza party!
 Deadline is November 1st! Please return
ASAP!
 IEP and GATE ASSESSMENT form is all
that is needed
 Return to the office or to Mrs.C

IEP process
Student selects the math or language arts’
teacher for the conference
 Teacher will review goals and make
suggestions.
 Copy of the form will be mailed to you.
 Parents may schedule an appointment (if
desired) for a meeting or a follow-up
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Volunteer!
Do you have a talent or special skill?
 Do you know a good guest speaker?
 Do you have ideas for competitions,
activities, or field trips?
 Parents may lead clubs with a teacher
sponsor.
 Would you like to help with a trip,
competition, or event?
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