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Archive of Past Events

2011–2012


CAG Northern California Symposium for Educators and Parents:
“Maximizing Student Potential: Cultivating Creativity and Critical Thinking

Saturday, November 12, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
American Canyon High School, 300 Newell Dr., American Canyon, CA
(Napa County, just north of Vallejo, 2 miles from Hwy 80)

Administrator’s Breakfast and GATE Training Session

Wednesday, October 26, 8:30–10:30 am
Hobee’s Restaurant Meeting Room, downtown Los Gatos
(located at the intersection of Highway 9 and University Avenue)

Back by Popular Demand, the California Association for the Gifted Santa Lucia Region will offer a Breakfast Workshop on meeting the needs of gifted & talented students for principals, assistant principals, superintendents, and district office administrators.

Attendees will receive a free guidebook for administrators (The Leadership Challenge: A Guide-book for Administrators) that will guide school leaders in meeting the basic requirements of the California rec-ommended standards for gifted education.

Read more, or print out the flier (379 KB Adobe Reader icon)

2010–2011


Call To Action: Unite to Support the Federal TALENT Act!

Please join the California Association for the Gifted (CAG) and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) in supporting the newly introduced Federal TALENT Act (Senate Bill 857 and House Bill 1674)!

If passed, it will be a step in the right direction toward supporting our nations brightest minds.

Why?

There is a clear national need to develop the talent of the more than 3 million gifted and talented learners in the U.S., whose performance is falling behind that of students in other industrialized nations. It is well documented that gifted and talented students have special learning needs requiring specialized educational services if they are to reach their potential.

Unfortunately, a lack of federal investment in this population means that availability and access to these services depends solely on state and local funds, which is highly variable and unpredictable. This underinvestment in excellence is exacerbated by the singular focus on low-performing students under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and has resulted in a new achievement gap-the gap between minority and economically disadvantaged students who are gifted and talented and their more advantaged, high-ability peers. Researchers have documented a growing gap on both statewide assessments and on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) that, at current achievement rates, will take decades to close. Limited federal leadership, coupled with a singular focus on grade-level proficiency, has resulted in an educational system that too often fails to address the unique learning needs of gifted students and those who could become high achieving with appropriate supports.

How does the TALENT Act help? (NAGC, 2011)

Success in the 21st century requires a commitment to developing student talent as early as possible. To address this urgent need, gifted education supporters have introduced legislation to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to provide responsible federal leadership in meeting the needs of gifted and high-ability students. To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers (TALENT) Act, which replaces the Javits Act, has four key emphases:

  1. Changes to Assessment and Accountability Systems
  2. Emphasis on Classroom Practice
  3. Focus on Underserved Populations
  4. Emphasis on Research and Dissemination

CAG and NAGC urges support of the TALENT Act to systematically ensure that all high-ability students, regardless of their zip code, are able to maximize their potential. The nation cannot afford to delay.

How to Help?

Third Annual GATE Student-to-Student Conference!

Saturday May 21, 2011 1:00–5:00 pm
On the beautiful campus of UC Santa Cruz

Students present workshops on their favorite subjects; other students attend these workshops! Open to all students grades 3–12 in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito and San Mateo Counties. You do not need to be a GATE-identified student in order to attend the conference, or to present a workshop. Everyone is welcome to this FREE conference!

Differentiating Instruction Using Depth & Complexity Icons

A Training for Teachers: Saturday November 20, 2010 12:30–4:30 pm
Santa Cruz County Office of Education

Are you wanting to add Depth and Complexity to your lessons?
Looking for ways to refine your questioning techniques and strategies?
Thinking about rigor and meeting a wide range of learning needs?
The Depth and Complexity Icons meet these needs and are easily applied to any content area or topic, K–12!

GATE Advocates Meetings for 2010–2011

We are the regional task force of the California Association for the Gifted: a group of teachers, parents, administrators, and others who meet regularly to promote quality instruction for gifted and talented students in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties (the “Santa Lucia Region”). We support one another in improving programs for gifted students. Our GATE Advocates Meetings are open to all interested people—Please Join Us!

Following our pattern of last year, our first few Advocates meetings will be held at Hobbee’s Restaurant in Los Gatos. We very much want to see more involvement from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, and can move the meeting location south to encourage such participation. See our Upcoming Events page for more information.

2009–2010


Training for Adminstrators

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 8:30–11:30 am
Hobee’s restaurant in Los Gatos (See location description to left, under Coordinators’ meetings) Read more about this event.

Second Annual Student-to-Student Conference!

Saturday, May 8, 2010 1:00–5:00 pm
Merrill College, University of California at Santa Cruz
Students present workshops on their favorite subjects; other students attend these workshops! Open to all students grades 3–12 in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito and San Mateo Counties. You do not need to be a GATE-identified student in order to attend the conference, or to present a workshop. Everyone is welcome!

Spring 2010 Stanford Splash!

Saturday & Sunday, April 17 & 18, 2010  ~   10 am – 6 pm
Splash! is a program that brings students grades 7–12 (ages 11–18 if home schooled) to Stanford’s campus for a two-day learning extravaganza. Read more and learn how to register on the Splash! flier (34 KB .pdf Adobe Reader icon).

NEW Resource:  Depth & Complexity Icons resources page!

Op-Ed: “In focus on proficiency, bright kids lose”

An Op-Ed piece in the Sacramento Bee (Thursday 8/27/09) discusses what Jack O’Connell and other educators should do to improve the education of our advanced students. www.sacbee.com/opinion/story/2142102.html or www.sacbee.com/opinion/v-print/story/2142102.html (printable version).

2008–2009


GATE Certification: Workshop Materials & Teacher-Created Standards-Based Lesson Plans

A GATE Certification training was held July 27–31, at the Campbell Union School District Office, and presented by Marilyn Lane, Nora Ho and Andrea Tracy. Workshop materials & teacher-created standards-based lesson plans are now available from this training.

From Brain Research Into Teacher Action


Barbara Clark, author of Growing Up Gifted, has created a table that succinctly summarizes some of the major findings from brain research into how we learn, and aligned those findings with actions teachers of gifted learners —and all students— can take in their classrooms. Read Clark’s table.

High Achiever, Gifted Learner, Creative Thinker


Understand the differences —sometimes subtle, sometimes profound— between different types of “advanced” students by reading this informative comparison.

CAG SLR5 Educator Representative for 2008–2010: Steve Kahl!

Steve Kahl, Educator Rep for Santa Lucia Region 5 of the California Association for the Gifted

Steve Kahl is the new Educator Representative for the Santa Lucia region of CAG. He is the GATE Coordinator at Mountain View High School, as well as AVID Coordinator there. He has taught English in the Bay Area for 24 years. He makes presentations to elementary and high school teachers throughout California on differentiating instruction for gifted students, and he has published articles on the subject. You may reach him at steven (dot) kahl (at) mvla (dot) net or by calling him at 408-395-0002.

GATE Certification Training  ~  Monday–Friday, July 27–31, 2009,
9:00 am–3:30 pm

Campbell Union School District, Campbell, CA
Read more!

Differentiating Instruction Using the Depth and Complexity Icons, Saturday, May 9, 2009,

12:30–4:30 pm, Silver Creek High School, 3434 Silver Creek Rd., San Jose, CA 95121

The California Association for the Gifted (Santa Lucia Region) cordially invites you to attend a workshop on differentiated instruction methods for K–12 teachers on Saturday, May 9th from 12:30–4:30 pm at Silver Creek High School in San Jose. At this engaging session, teachers will learn how to use the depth and complexity icons creatively to adjust instruction for a variety of student readiness levels. This interactive workshop will be a repeat of the extremely well attended event held at Mountain View HS last fall. As we could not accommodate everyone who wished to attend that event, we decided to schedule another one for the spring.

The cost is $20, payable on site, which will cover the expense of the very cool depth and complexity icon magnets you will receive for subsequent use on your classroom whiteboard. To reserve your space, simply contact steven (dot) kahl (at) mvla (dot) net immediately, providing your full name, grade level (and/or subject area), district, school, and contact information. Space is limited, so register today!

Presenters will include Lyn Olson (Pajaro Valley USD), Andrea Tracy (Campbell USD), and Steve Kahl (Mountain View-Los Altos UHSD). Thank you to Tim Nguyen, Thelma Boac and East Side Union High School District for hosting!

Read the flyer Adobe Reader icon for more information about the event.

GATE Student Conference! April 25, 2009

Sponsored by the California Association for the Gifted (Santa Lucia Region) and the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District.

Please spread the word! GATE students (grades 7–12) from throughout the region (of Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Alameda, and Monterey Counties) are invited to attend the April, 2009 conference hosted at Mountain View High School.

At the four-hour conference, GATE students will offer a broad variety of workshops and presentations to other GATE students. This free event will be held on the Mountain View High School campus. Much like an adult conference, students who attend will receive a program that lists the various half hour presentations or workshops, and they will get to choose to attend up to six sessions.

Read more information on this exciting opportunity for students to be the teachers!

SENG Presents: Intensity in Action: Understanding and Helping Gifted Kids

Thursday, March 26, 2009
8:30–10:00 pm (Eastern Time) 5:30–7:00 pm (Pacific Time)

This is an an online “Webinar” presented by Dr. Ellen D. Fiedler, Ph.D., and will last approximately 90 Minutes. The cost of participating in this webinar is $40.00. Register online at www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EE55D782.

Parents, teachers, and counselors often find that their best-laid plans for the gifted go astray because of the intensity and sensitivity of these kids. Think about the intensity you've seen in gifted individuals of all ages: intellectual, imaginational, emotional, psychomotor, and sensual. Challenges abound for them and for everyone concerned with them and their well-being.

And yet, the intensity and sensitivity of gifted youngsters can allow all kinds of stimulating and intriguing opportunities for them to develop, both at home and in school. This webinar will provide information and insights to help you better understand and help the gifted. It is designed to shed light on how "overexcitabilities" (OEs) as described by Dabrowski's theory, relate to helping gifted kids.

In this session, Dr. Fiedler will explore gifted youngsters' intensity and sensitivity in school and at home and will then focus on practical strategies that parents, teachers, and counselors can use to respond to the OEs and other social and emotional needs of gifted students.

Ellen Fiedler, Professor Emerita from the gifted Masters degree program at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, is now a private consultant. Her Ph.D. in Counseling came from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she worked at the Guidance Institute for Talented Students. She was a Gifted Program Coordinator and a State Consultant for the Gifted, is a published author and presents at state, national, and international conferences. She was Chair of the Counseling and Guidance Division of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), co-chair of the Global Awareness Division, and is currently President of the Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education.

Solar flare

Free Workshop: “The Solar Cycle and Its Effects on Earth”

Grades: K-12
Saturday, December 13, 2008, 9 am–4pm.
Embassy Suites Napa Valley (Cabernet Room)
1075 California Blvd, Napa, CA 94559

The UC Berkeley Center for Science Education at the Space Sciences Laboratory (CSE@SSL) is holding a special one-day free teacher workshop on Saturday, December 13 at the Embassy Suites in Napa Valley. This workshop follows a week-long conference on the science of the next solar cycle (Solar Cycle 24).

Presenters: Bryan Mendez, Greg Schultz, Ruth Paglierani and NASA space scientists

Description: We live in the atmosphere of a dynamic, magnetic star that interacts with the Earth and the planets beyondhe Sun. A new solar cycle has just begun and scientists are poised to study this next cycle in greater detail than ever before. Come learn about the latest discoveries in the study of the Sun, and explore activities for your classroom. During this workshop we will present hands-on, inquiry-based lesson plans that explore Sun-Earth Connection concepts such as magnetism, the seasons, space weather, eclipses, and solar energy. In addition, NASA space scientists will be on hand to explain their newest investigations into the workings of the Sun. We will feature special afternoon breakout sessions for elementary and middle/high school grades.

Lunch will be provided for free. Parking is free. Plus we will distribute several free NASA classroom materials, including GEMS guides (The Real Reasons for Seasons and Living With a Star), and elementary lessons from Eye on the Sky (www.eyeonthesky.org/).

Register for free online: http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/workshops/registration.aspx?eid=4 (Registration deadline: 5 pm December 5.)

Learn to Differentiate Curriculum and Instruction
for Gifted and Talented Students in Three Hours or Less!

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008, 1:00–4:00 pm
Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Avenue, Mountain View, CA

We had hoped to have at least 30 people attend, but more than 120 individuals have registered for this event! Registration is closed and there is a waiting list. (If you are registered but your plans have changed and you are planning NOT to attend, please let us know immediately so that we can invite someone from our growing waiting list to join us.)

Steve Kahl will be leading all of the 4th–12th grade teachers, and Andrea Tracy will be coaching the Kindergarten–3rd grade teachers.

Teacher Training: Introduction to Socratic Seminar

Saturday, November 15th, 2008, 8:30 am–3:30 pm
Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, CA

GATE Student Conference! April 25, 2009

Sponsored by the California Association for the Gifted (Santa Lucia Region) and the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District.

SENG Presents: Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults

Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:30–10:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Cag 2008 Summer Teacher Institute — Here in San Jose!

During the summer of 2008, CAG will criss-cross the state to provide options for teachers and administrators of the gifted to participate in the opportunities to learn about the academic, social, and personal needs and abilities of gifted students. There are three separate Teacher Institutes being offered:

JULY 24, 25 & 26, Focus on grades 1–7 at TIP Academy in Encinitas, held in San Diego County

AUGUST 3, 4, & 5, Focus on language arts, math, and science for grades 2–8, held in Santa Barbara

AUGUST 7, 8, & 9, Focus on elementary grades, held in Berryessa Unified School District in San Jose

CAG SLR5 and the Santa Clara County Office of Education Co-Sponsor a Summer GATE Certification Institute: July 7–12 at the SCCOE

The SCCOE GATE Certification Series is designed to assist districts, sites and teachers in meeting the provisions of Raising the Standards for Gifted and Talented Education AB2313 (Correa) July 1, 2001 and the guidance found in the State GATE Standards.

2007–2008


Nora Ho: 2008 Distinguished Service Award Winner for Santa lucia Region 5

Nora Ho: 2008 Distinguished Service Award Winner for Santa lucia Region 5

Nora Ho, a principal in Berryessa Union School District (San Jose), is devoted to supporting gifted children and their teachers. Her career spans preschool to university students and all in between. Nora has held many roles in various school districts. In each role she kept the gifted students’ needs not only in mind but also as a part of the conversation. Nora works with gifted in each job regardless of “assigned” job or duties. Her longevity, continuity and quiet persistence have been a continual catalyst for increased quality differentiation by classroom teachers in each of the districts lucky enough to eploy her. Unequivocal expectations coupled with her practical approach quickly facilitate an atmosphere of professional inquiry and growth, which directly benefit the students at each of the school sites. Nora is steadfast in her pursuit of an excellent educational experience for each child, and her action mirrors belief. When she teaches, there is no doubt in the student’s mind that she is knowledgeable and holds them to the same high expectations to which she holds herself.

Nora continues to train teachers in differentiation through her university courses, county courses, principal duties, and as a CAG representative. Her commitment is so strong that she has filled the role of Parent Representative for the Santa Lucia Region 5 of CAG even though her children are no longer in K–12 public schools. This goes along with her history as a strong parent advocate. Parents in teh community have always viewed Nora as a person to whom they could come and discuss their children’s development, academically and otherwise. It has always been abundantly clear that gifted children and their families are enhanced by Nora’s commitment to them.

Nora Ho, the students, parents, teachers and school/district administrators of Santa Lucia Region 5 salute you, commend you and thank you!

Two Excellent Books on Clustering

Two books about clustering gifted and advanced students in regular classrooms, both by well-known well-respected experts in gifted education, were published in 2008. Read more about each book, including Table of Contents, and the authors, by clicking on the image of the front cover.

Winebrenner & Brulles: Cluster Grouping Handbook

Susan Winebrenner and Dina Brulles have released The Cluster Grouping Handbook: How to Challenge Gifted Students and Improve Achievement for All. It is research-based, comprehensive, well organized and very readable. ISBN 978-1-57542-279-4, $34.95 from Free Spirit Press.

Gentry & Mann: Total School Clustering & Differentiation

Marcia Gentry (who did some of the original ground-breaking research on clustering in the early 1990s) has published with Rebecca Mann Total School Clustering & Differentiation. This is well organized, comprehensive and very readable. ISBN 978-1-931280-09-9, $26.95 from Creative Learning Press.

Cag 2008 Conference

Many of us from Region 5 attended and were actively involved with this year's CAG Conference, held February 15–17 in Anaheim, CA.

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