*Chocolate and Pixie Dust* - An August 2008 TR- 8/29 pg 6: Sort of an update

[Native NYer]

That's pretty much my problem too -- end of the year is just crazy this year for us.

Here's my funny about fifth grade parent night that we have every year. We got the email the other day that it would be May 7th from six to seven. Of course I have to be there wearing my "pretty" clothes and my "Tour Guide Barbie" smile. So, I grumbled a little, and then I suddenly realized: "Wait! Chelsea is going to be in sixth grade next year -- she'll need to come, too!" I had totally forgotten/was in denial about her needing to go that night. I can't believe she will be in middle school in a couple of months!

Wow your daughter will attend the school where you teach. That's so neat.

Made it to page 35 where I found this...


I know lots of people who like O'hana. I've never been there, so I can't really comment on it. Too bad you didn't like your dinner there, though.

I've also heard good things about Coral Reef. But, I've heard bad, too. WCC is one that I have been to and pretty much all of us liked it. Never been to CG either, but I've heard more good than bad about it. My mom and sister went to the Spirit of Aloha show. They both liked it, but they weren't really impressed with the food. Is T very picky?

I think my terrible experience at O'hana had to do with our server more than the food.

Yay Yay Yay!!! Me tooooo!!!!!

I love your new siggy. Tanya does it again!

Thanks for the beginning of the mini-TR for Williamsburg. Fun!

We have to have a celebratory cocktail when we get to double digits.

I have to ask (and I'm not asking in a rude way)...what makes the kids that you both teach "gifted"? especially the 5 year olds?

Back in my day it was the kids who could read very well, the kids who could read and the kids that read not so good.

My students test to get in. They have to score at the 98th percentile or higher on an IQ test.

And it wasn't a rude question at all

 

[Native NYer]

Jen - in celebration of our 105 days, I found this for you!

Yummy!!!! I am so looking forward to August at the Poly

 

[Charleston Princess]

I have to ask (and I'm not asking in a rude way)...what makes the kids that you both teach "gifted"? especially the 5 year olds?

Back in my day it was the kids who could read very well, the kids who could read and the kids that read not so good.

I am not sure how New York state does it, but in Georgia we have four domains that students are tested in:

Intelligence: This is typically an IQ-type test that measures verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal (spatial) abilities.
Academics: We use scores on the reading or math sections of a national standardized test such as the ITBS.
Motivation: Grades, teacher recommendations, etc.
Creativity: This, I think, is the most difficult to figure out. We use student work samples and a creativity test.

To be labeled gifted, students must meet in three of the four categories.

In our public schools, students are not usually tested until the end of kindergarten or the beginning of first grade.

Hopefully this makes sense and I didn't lapse into teacher-ese.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow your daughter will attend the school where you teach. That's so neat.

She and most of her little friends will be in my class, also!

That's the really scary part -- who knows what deep dark secrets she will reveal about me!

My students test to get in. They have to score at the 98th percentile or higher on an IQ test.

And it wasn't a rude question at all

Another out of curiosity question, what IQ test is used?

 

[Native NYer]

I am not sure how New York state does it, but in Georgia we have four domains that students are tested in:

Intelligence: This is typically an IQ-type test that measures verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal (spatial) abilities.
Academics: We use scores on the reading or math sections of a national standardized test such as the ITBS.
Motivation: Grades, teacher recommendations, etc.
Creativity: This, I think, is the most difficult to figure out. We use student work samples and a creativity test.

To be labeled gifted, students must meet in three of the four categories.

In our public schools, students are not usually tested until the end of kindergarten or the beginning of first grade.

Hopefully this makes sense and I didn't lapse into teacher-ese.

I don't work at a public school, so I'm not sure about the process in NYC schools. I'm in a unique situation.

In NYC, there is a preschool program for 3 and 4 yr olds that test kids.

My teacher-ese is rusty because of spring break.

 

[Native NYer]

She and most of her little friends will be in my class, also!

That's the really scary part -- who knows what deep dark secrets she will reveal about me!

Another out of curiosity question, what IQ test is used?

By 8th grade, as the teen years set in, she may just ignore you

Stanford Binet IQ test Which is used in Georgia?

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't work at a public school, so I'm not sure about the process in NYC schools. I'm in a unique situation.

In NYC, there is a preschool program for 3 and 4 yr olds that test kids.

My teacher-ese is rusty because of spring break.

My teacher-ese is rusty because it is almost the end of the year and I have Disney on my mind!!! I had to stop and think for a minute how we test gifted kids (and I do it twice a year )

Ask me about the different levels of MYW tickets, and I can answer that one with no pause!

 

[Charleston Princess]

By 8th grade, as the teen years set in, she may just ignore you

Stanford Binet IQ test Which is used in Georgia?

Yes, I can see that happening. But she'll still have to be in the car with me and her brother every morning!

We use the CoGAT at the middle school level -- I am not sure what they use at the elementary level.

 

[Native NYer]

My teacher-ese is rusty because it is almost the end of the year and I have Disney on my mind!!! I had to stop and think for a minute how we test gifted kids (and I do it twice a year )

Ask me about the different levels of MYW tickets, and I can answer that one with no pause!

Could you also tell me where I can find the all you can eat counter service restaurant?

 

[MRYPPNS]

Re: gifted students

So if I understand correctly seems that the "gifted" students are the cream of the crop in you area...it's putting all the bright students together that have reached a certain IQ level. I had these visions of you both teaching little Steven Hawkins and they were all going to college at age 12.

Now I'm wondering if I would have made it into your classes

 

[Native NYer]

Yes, I can see that happening. But she'll still have to be in the car with me and her brother every morning!

We use the CoGAT at the middle school level -- I am not sure what they use at the elementary level.

I wonder if she'll sink into the seat, trying to hide.

Testing twice a year is a lot.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Could you also tell me where I can find the all you can eat counter service restaurant?

You know if CMs were watching that show, they were crawling under their couches -- how many people do you think will ask that after seeing that show??? I know I want to know where it is!

 

[Native NYer]

Re: gifted students

So if I understand correctly seems that the "gifted" students are the cream of the crop in you area...it's putting all the bright students together that have reached a certain IQ level. I had these visions of you both teaching little Steven Hawkins and they were all going to college at age 12.

Now I'm wondering if I would have made it into your classes

My students are not that advanced

The IQ test is just the first part of the process. If they meet the cut, they get invited to the next round of testing. Luckily, I have nothing to do with the process. I just wait for them to arrive in September.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Could you also tell me where I can find the all you can eat counter service restaurant?

Anyone that you want to give your VISA to!

 

[Native NYer]

You know if CMs were watching that show, they were crawling under their couches -- how many people do you think will ask that after seeing that show??? I know I want to know where it is!

A lot of people will ask.

I feel like people were deceived last night. Disney for two nights is not saving money. I could cut my 7 night trip down to 2 nights and pay less. It's not a discount or a bargain.

 

[Native NYer]

Anyone that you want to give your VISA to!

 

[MRYPPNS]

A lot of people will ask.

I feel like people were deceived last night. Disney for two nights is not saving money. I could cut my 7 night trip down to 2 nights and pay less. It's not a discount or a bargain.

It's just like when Disney has ads for $1600 vacations for a family of four....but the fine print is that it's 5 nights 6 days, one kid is a young one, no food and no airfare. Where is the deal in that?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Re: gifted students

So if I understand correctly seems that the "gifted" students are the cream of the crop in you area...it's putting all the bright students together that have reached a certain IQ level. I had these visions of you both teaching little Steven Hawkins and they were all going to college at age 12.

Now I'm wondering if I would have made it into your classes

No, no Steven Hawkins -- some very bright ones that will go far if they make the right decisions. And over the years, a couple who may have a promising future in unorthodox careers -- such as corporate fraud.

Yes, you would have made it into our classes -- I know for sure that you would have qualified in motivation (that's the OCD planner part), academics (your mathematical skills are top-notch), and creativity (the whole Fuzzy Disney Math). We'll also assume your IQ is quite high since you love Disney! See, you are gifted!

I wonder if she'll sink into the seat, trying to hide.

Testing twice a year is a lot.

By middle school, most students that are gifted have been identified as gifted -- there are usually one or two a year that haven't been caught for whatever reason. On paper, I test twice a year, but it's usually only in the fall after ITBS scores come back -- I haven't needed to test in the spring for awhile.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Anyone that you want to give your VISA to!

A lot of people will ask.

I feel like people were deceived last night. Disney for two nights is not saving money. I could cut my 7 night trip down to 2 nights and pay less. It's not a discount or a bargain.

Exactly! I could make our trip look ultra-cheap with only two nights somewhere.

It's just like when Disney has ads for $1600 vacations for a family of four....but the fine print is that it's 5 nights 6 days, one kid is a young one, no food and no airfare. Where is the deal in that?

And it's ALWAYS during value season!

 

[Native NYer]

It's just like when Disney has ads for $1600 vacations for a family of four....but the fine print is that it's 5 nights 6 days, one kid is a young one, no food and no airfare. Where is the deal in that?

The deal is as great as the one to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.

Disney is affordable if you can sprout wings, fly yourself, and produce your own food.

No, no Steven Hawkins -- some very bright ones that will go far if they make the right decisions. And over the years, a couple who may have a promising future in unorthodox careers -- such as corporate fraud.

Yes, you would have made it into our classes -- I know for sure that you would have qualified in motivation (that's the OCD planner part), academics (your mathematical skills are top-notch), and creativity (the whole Fuzzy Disney Math). We'll also assume your IQ is quite high since you love Disney! See, you are gifted!



By middle school, most students that are gifted have been identified as gifted -- there are usually one or two a year that haven't been caught for whatever reason. On paper, I test twice a year, but it's usually only in the fall after ITBS scores come back -- I haven't needed to test in the spring for awhile.

Fuzzy Disney Math alone makes someone gifted