All posts by Megan Thompson

#52: Thank You Notes

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

An act of expressing your appreciation through a few words, a thank you note, is an important way to show your gratitude for someone and their time. In this mini spark you will learn about the basics and create a thank you note for Veteran’s Day.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #52: Thank You Notes

2. Veteran’s Day is November 11th, visit this website to learn more about the history of Veterans Day. Record 5 details about the history of veteran’s day to your recording page.

3. Learn the basics of writing a thank you note. Write each bold prase on your recording page as you read step 3.

Greeting. Don’t forget to make sure you’re using the correct form and spelling of the person’s name. Put a comma after the greeting.

  • Dear Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob,

Express your thanks. Begin with the two most important words: Thank you.

  • Thank you so much for…
  • It made my day when I opened…
  • I’m so grateful you were there when…

Add specific details. Tell them how you plan to use or display their gift. It shows them that you really appreciate the thought that went into it. Even if it’s cold hard cash, describe how you’ll spend the stuff.

  • Here’s a picture of me with my new briefcase. I look so professional!
  • I can’t wait to use the birthday money you sent to decorate my dorm room.
  • The going-away party meant so much to me. Having all my friends and family in one place was something I’ll never forget.

Look ahead. Mention the next time you might see them, or just let them know you’re thinking of them.

  • We look forward to seeing you next month at Lucy’s party.

Restate your thanks. Add details to thank them in a different way.

  • Again, thank you for your generosity. I’m so excited about college. I’ll let you know all about it when I get settled.
  • We felt so blessed that you made the trip to be with us on our wedding day. We can’t wait to see you again soon!

End with your regards. “Sincerely” is a safe standby, but for closer relationships, you might choose a warmer option.

  • With love,
  • Many thanks,
  • Yours truly,

4. Read over this graphic about writing thank you notes. Write 3-5 reminders on your recording page.

5. Try it! On your recording page, use the steps from #3 and write a thank you note. You can write a pretend note to a fictional person or you can write one to someone who you would like to thank for helping you.

6.  OPTIONAL: Use this template or use your recording page to write a thank you note to a Veteran. If you do not personally know a veteran, you can write a general thank you to all Veterans.

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your thank you note with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Source: https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/thank-you-ideas/how-to-write-a-thank-you-note/

#50: News Report Writing

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

The purpose of news report writing is to inform an audience. A news report is a story that is currently happening or that just happened. Writing a news report is easy if you write about the subject in a style that is clear, concise, and active. One of the best practices for writers is to follow is using the Who, What, Where, When,Why, and How of a story.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #50: News Report Writing

2. One should gather answers to the 5 W’s and H questions while writing about an event or something that happened. Record the 5 W’s and H on your recording sheet

3. Watch this video about the basics of writing a news report and take 5 notes on your recording page.

4. Visit, Scholastic Kids Press. Select an article and identify the 5 W’s in the story on your recording page

Choose number 5 ot 6

5. Complete the following News Report Writing activity. Look at the chart and choose a W for each part of the story. Write your report on your recording page.

6. Prepare your own new report about a current event. Add it to your recording page. OPTIONAL STEP: Set up your ipad and video yourself reading your report aloud.

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator

SEL Mini Spark #3 – Square Breathing

SEL Mini Sparks

In this video, boost your superpowers of calm and focus by breathing as Puffer Fish keeps time. Try playing this mindful game when you are overly excited or are in a meltdown. It is also helpful to play this game when you feel already feel relaxed to build the muscles of calming down in more stressful situations.

1 – Practice Square Breathing by watching this video and following along.

2 – Remember what you learned about square breathing the next time you feel stressed or upset. Share this technique with a friend or family member.

Website for Parents

SEL Resources, Uncategorized

SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) is a nonprofit network of people who guide gifted, talented, and twice-exceptional individuals to reach their goals intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

THe SENG website is loaded with resources to help parents and educators guide gifted children. By joining SENG, members can register for online SENGinars, join a parent support group, and have access to the SENG library.

https://www.sengifted.org/

Book Recommendations

SEL Resources, Uncategorized

Gifted Kids Survival Guide: 10 and Under

An updated, informative book examines the problems of gifted and talented students and explains how they can make the best use of their educational opportunities, get along better with parents and friends, and better understand themselves. 

Gifted Kids Survival Guide: Teen Handbook

Written with help from hundreds of gifted teenagers, this handbook is the ultimate guide to surviving and thriving in a world that doesn’t always value, support, or understand high ability. Full of surprising facts, step-by-step strategies, practical how-tos, and inspiring quotations, featuring insightful essays contributed by gifted teens and adults, the book gives readers the tools they need to understand giftedness, accept it as an asset, and use it to make the most of who they are. Teens learn the facts about giftedness, including:

  • what “giftedness” means (and doesn’t mean)
  • the truth about IQ, tests, and testing (and four reasons why tests can’t be trusted)

About the Author

Award-winning author and publisher Judy Galbraith, M.A., has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling of the gifted. A former classroom teacher, she has worked with and taught gifted children and teens, their parents, and their teachers for many years. In 1983 she started Free Spirit Publishing, which specializes in Self-Help for Kids® and Self-Help for Teens® books and other learning resources. Judy is the author or coauthor of several books, including The Gifted Teen Survival Guide, When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All The Answers, What Kids Need to Succeed, and What Teens Need to Succeed. She has appeared on Oprah and has been featured in Family Circle and Family Life, as well as numerous other magazines, newspapers, and broadcast and electronic media. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota

NAGC Parent Resources

Uncategorized

As you get to know your sensitive, energetic toddler, watch your 10 year struggle to fit in at school, or agonize with your high schooler about multiple college choices, you may wonder why your child seems different from other children. Is your child gifted?  If yes, what next? NAGC works to provide you the tools you need to help your child succeed.
Advice from William Schlitz, father of Haley Taylor Schlitz, on raising a gifted child.

 

SEL Mini Spark #2 – Guided Meditation

SEL Mini Sparks

Do you sometimes feel stressed from juggling school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities? If so, don’t worry! You’re not alone. We’ve got you covered! Sal from Khan Academy has recorded a few short meditations to help you relax.

You may be wondering—what is meditation? Why should I do it? Meditation, a simple practice of mindfulness, can help you reduce stress and improve your focus.

1 – Practice by listening to “Guided Meditation for Students” with Sal.

2 – Set some reminders to meditate on your iPad. Maybe begin with a few times a week and eventually find a time each and every day to practice meditation. 

3 – Check back here every so often for a new guided meditation with Sal.

Source: KhanAcademy

SEL Mini Spark #1 – Developing a Growth Mindset

SEL Mini Sparks

1 – Watch this video on Growth Mindset.

This is a story of two seeds – both planted on the same day, in the same soil, in the same garden bed. One has a growth mindset—with a curious desire to grow and reach the outside world—while the other has a fixed mindset—filled with fear and choosing the remain stagnant in its soil.

This video explores the characteristics of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. It busts the myth of perfection and teaches you to appreciate mistakes and failures. The video explains that fear is a natural universal emotion, how challenges help you grow, and provides tips on how to switch on their growth mindset.

Source: ClickView for Schools

2 – Think of a time that you were challenged and frustrated. What did you do to get through the situation? Write at least a paragraph (on iPad or paper) about this personal experience and what you learned from it. At the end of your paragraph, write some tips for developing a growth mindset.

3 – Keep your story for a reminder when you face your next challenge. If you would like to share your story, email your document or a photo of your written work to your EY Coordinator.