TITLE:  FIRST DAY OF GT

AUTHOR:  Jonna Epps, Maxwell School, NV

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  2-4, gifted/talented

OBJECTIVE:  
  1.  Set the stage on the first day for the children to begin trusting me.
  2.  Set an example for discussion.  Everyone will be heard and each
person will value everyone's contribution.
  3.  Provide an opportunity to discuss my two by-words:
           1) courtesy and 2) respect.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:  Read slowly and with feeling this poem found
in the Challenge Magazine, Issue 41, Vol. 9, No. 1, Sept./Oct. 1990.

             GIFTED

          by Judith K. Schulze

Golly! I just took a test
That says I'm different from the rest.
What am I?  Well, I must confess...
I'm "gifted."

The psychologist said right from his heart,
"I fear that you are rather smart
And from this day you are to start...
Being gifted."

I think I turned six shades of green
And developed pains down to my spleen.
I asked, "Whatever does it mean?
This word 'gifted'?"

He said, "You have a high I.Q.
I wish, my child, that I were you!
Why I'd give an arm or leg or two
To be gifted.

My thoughts immediately went adrift
And each idea I did sift.
At last I said, "Give me my gift.
Then I'll be gifted!"

He laughed for all that he was worth
And nearly doubled up with mirth.
"This gift you have you've had since birth.
You've BEEN gifted!"

I thought and then when he was done
I asked, "Am I the only one
In this whole school or under the sun
Who is gifted?"

He named the two or three percent
Of students who to classes went.
And then I knew just what this meant,
About gifted.

It could be the best news I'd heard,
But then I thought about a word
And screamed, "But, must I be a nerd
If I'm gifted?"

He laughed again when I was through.
"My child, you'll always be just you
But smarter than all except a few
'Cause you're gifted."

"Will I be perfect?  Get all A's?
Make the Honor Roll?  Get lots of praise?
Have no homework nights and easy days?
Well, I'm gifted!"

"No, others may expect such things;
Just do your best.  Be sure it brings
True joy to YOU!  You'll soar on wings
And enjoy being
Gifted."

Teacher led discussion.  Some questions to use.
  1.  Raise your hand if anyone here has been teased for coming to GT class.
  2.  Why do you suppose your friends tease you?
  3.  How do you handle the teasing?
  4.  Do you think you won't ever have to work hard in school
because you're gifted?  (Interject story of my son who is gifted
and struggling at U.C. Berkeley because he never had to study before.
He always was the best in his class without having to study very much
and is now competing with other very smart students.)
  5.  Discuss what being gifted means to you and your family.

AFTER DISCUSSION GAME

PURPOSE:  Relieves tension from previous discussion.  Provides
opportunity for success.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  Nerf ball, Colored squares (8" x 8") Size not
important.

Children form a circle seated on the floor.

1st round:  Teacher tosses or rolls ball to student who must 
give a response according to the card in the middle of the circle,
i.e.,  Blue Card = response must be something blue.

2nd round:  Each student tosses or rolls the ball to another
student - each student giving a response.  Stress that everyone
should have a turn.

(Card in the middle - categories become more difficult as the
year progresses, i.e., metals, mammals, unit of study vocabulary, etc.)