/1980-1

TEXAS ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED & TALENTED

TAGT~~ft\'Q\.l Member of The National ASSOCIatIOn for Gifted ChIldren (NAGel The ASSOciation lor Gifted (TAG) The World C.ouncil for Gilted and Talented Children

Vol. I

No. I

TAGTTempo

March 1980

Minnie Champ T A GT V ice President

Editor 9411 Hunters Creek Dall"" TX 15243 (214) 341路6501

THIRD ANNUAL TAGT CONFERENCE SCHEDULED Mark your calendars now! The Third Annual TAGT Conference will be held October 17-18, 1980, at the Holiday Inn Central in Dallas. Dr. Dorothy Sisk has agreed to keynote this conference on Friday evening.

This will provide the proper first stage in our exploration of our Conference Theme: "What's Happening With the Children?"

RESERVE ROOM EARLVI Make your reservations for October Conference NOW directly with the Holiday Inn Central. TAGT has a block of 150 rooms at special rates. Please indicate you are part of TAGT room block. Rates: singles, $34.00; twin or doubles, $40.

Make your reservations early because of the Texas State Fair room demand! Room Block will be held only until Sept. 17, 1980. (Use Reservation form on page 8.)

Special Courses for G/T Teachers Set

by GSI Flash: The Office of Gifted, Texas Education Agency, has indicated that guidelines and application forms will be mailed in April to all school superintendents explaining G IT state funding grants. They have set aside $1.8 million for continuation of programs funded during 1979-80 and $900,000 for consideration of new programs.

TAGT Affiliate Reports RAGT Develops Enrichment Program The Richardson Association for Gifted & Talented, during its third year of operation, initiated enrichment activities for students Kindergarten through Grade 12.

Provided entirely by volunteers from the membership and the community and under the direction of Mrs. Bobbi Wells, the program has to date had over 450 participants in mini-courses. field trips, special classes, and mentorships.

Although developed for RAGT members, anyone wishing to attend may do so by simply paying the current membership dues. Obviously, benefits from the activities include membership development, but more importantly, the individual interests of the children have been broadened and enthusiasm for learning ignited.

RAGT has a current family membership of over 200 which results in a total of more than 650 individuals.

Monthly meetings are held as well as monthly newsletters. Membership is open to all and is not limited to the Richardson school district. Two recent events of special interest were: (I) RAGT Discovery Day, March 23, Richland College. Classes were age-grouped for K-12 in astronomy, calligraphy, computer, dramatics, karate, photography, "Snakes Alive," chisanbop, math, genealogy, logic, puppetry, and music. More than 125 children participated with half that many parents volunteering as guides, monitors, etc.

2) Jackie Parker, NASA's 19-year-old flight controller, was brought to the metroplex for a 3-part program on the Space Shuttle launch, NASA Space highlights, and a路路 discussion of her own personal experiences as a gifted person.

In addition to her program on Friday night, Ms. Parker shared at a special assembly at a local school with third through sixth graders, participated in a 15-minute video taped interview with two third graders produced by the Richardson Instructional Television Center, and appeared on Channel 4 "Live at 5" News.

The Gifted Students Institute announces the addition of special courses for teachers to its regular schedule of workshops for gifted children this summer. These courses which are especially designed for the teacher who is already working with gifted children or for the teacher who plans to do so are scheduled at Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan College, Texas A & M University, and at Texas A & I University.

It is hoped that districts which are developing programs for their gifted students will assist teachers with tuition costs to enable them to take advantage of these opportunities. Interested teachers and administrators should contact the individual universities directly for specific information regarding content, credit, and fees.

Dr. Neil Daniel Department of English Texas Christian Universit) Fort Worth, TX 76129 HI7921-7240

Dr. William R. Nash Department of Psychology Texas A & M Uni\usity College Station, TX 77R43 713 845-1831

Dr. Ken Martin Office of Continuing Education Texas Wesleyan College Fort Worth, TX 76105 817 534-0251

Dr. Ken Oosterhout Texas A & J University Campus Box 193 Kingsville, TX 78363 512595-2001

Descriptive brochures and information about the courses for students scheduled at various campuses in Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin. Mexico and England are available from the Institute office: 611 Ryan Plaza Dr., Suite 1119, Arlington. TX 76011. (817) 265-7143.

June Cox T AGT Past President

RACiT

astronomy classes Pho/II h(' Min"", Champ

Minnie Champ, President,

RAGT

March 1980

TAGTTempo

3

President's Report

(Continued)

Our keynote speaker was Ms. Jeanne Delp, Garden Grove, California. Ms. Delp's articulation of first-hand experiences with gifted students had us laughing, sympathizing, and understanding the need to be compassionate and thoughtful when dealing with these special students. Various workshops were made available to everyone in attendance. Many thanks to everyone attending the conference and especially to those who helped plan our conference.

Well, now you are basically upto date with TAGT. We have accomplished quite a bit for such a young organization in such a large state. Many challenges face us in the future, but I certainly believe we will be ready for them. The caliber of people in the Association has provided the energy needed to accomplish all that we have to date. I'm very proud to be a part ofT AGT and to be associated with all of you.

For those of you enduring until the end of this historical review, I thank you.

. . . ,. ¥ '. . . . . . . of.

New T AGT brochure available.

Accompaning this TAGTempo is a copy of the revised T AGT brochure. You are encouraged to obtain multiple copies from Mrs. Laura Allard, 6760 Saratoga Circle, Dallas, TX 75214 for distribution among friends and colleagues. This can be a most effective membership development tool.

.

.. .. .. .. .. .. ..

.

Phillip Gonzalez 1980 President

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Regional Reports

Region XI

In the Birdville ISO, the LAMP Program (Learning Activity for Mental Proficiency) involves students in Grades 4-6. Areas of the program involve: I. Poetry Club. commit poetry to memory, weekly contests.

2. Mini-units. "Survival" typical unit in which students read THE CAY and MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN and prepared comparative studies of survival techniques used by people in the books. An overnight camp-out is planned.

3. Junior Great Books Program.

4. Calculators & Computers. Will culminate with the building of their own computer.

5. LAMP Olympics. Creating special olympics.

6. Individualized vocabulary.

7. Logic problems. Writing their own in class.

8. Mini-study. Writing their own. Includes field trips.

9. Individual projects.

10. Video tape production. Script writing, equipment operation, program coordination with curriculum (book reports, skits, interviews with authors, etc.), and editing.

Each student did at least one script. Under direction of individual highly trained in the field who volunteered to pilot this project.

Dr. Don Williams,

TAGT

Treasurer

&

Elementary Curriculum Consultant, Birdville ISD

The Grapevine/Colleyville IDS is currently in the process of identifying third and fourth grade students for the initiation of their gifted and talented program--PA T (Program for Academically Talented) to begin in 1980-81 for fourth and fifth graders.

PAT will be devised as a pull-out program with identified students attending all day one day a week.

There are four elementary campuses in the district, and students will be bused to a central location for participation in the program.

While the district plans on making application for State funding, the local board has made the commitment for one teaching unit 0 be designated for PA T. Screening instruments selected by the Steering Committee include the SOl and WISC-R. Jo Ann Houston.

T AGT Regional Rep.

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Killlllan, Keller. rx. L /0 R: Erica

ConKer. 5cOlI HU/JIer and Harold Reel'e.l.

March 1980

TAGTTempo

7

Calendar of G/T Events April 9

Two-day Conference on G;T. featuring: Dorothy Sisk. Carol Schlichter.

Neil Matthews. Emily Stewart.

Clifford CurL & Hazel Parker. The

June 9-20

Two-week workshop: "A Diagnostic Approach for Identification of Learning Styles and Prescribed Curriculum," with Dr. Mary Meeker and Dr. John W. McFarland, Texas Woman's University. Write: College of Education. P.O. Box 23029, TWU Station, Denton, TX 76204-Attn. Nancy Byrom. (Metro #434-2815) or (817) 382-1558.

July 13-18

Good

Greater Texarkana Association for

the G/T. 1500 Jeffer.;on St. Texarkana.

AR 75502 April 9

Good Apple Workshop: "Teaching the Gifted". Dallas.

April 19 & 26

Young People's University, Denton

Apple

Workshop,

Texas

Woman's University. Write above

April 20-25

Council for Exceptional Children!

address or Good Apple direct.

The Association for Gifted Annual

* October

Meeting. Philadelphia April 26

Talented & Gifted Festival '80 (see article elsewhere)

Third Annual TAGT Conference, Holiday Inn Central, Dallas

October 29-Nov I National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Meeting.

April 26 & May 3 Young People's University. Dallas lSD, Skyline High School.

April 29

17-18"

Minneapolis.

Creative Workshop Associates pre-

sents one-day G(T workshop featuring Joseph S. Renzulli. Linda H. Smith & Sally Reis. Dallas.

Write: Box 16204. Baltimore, MD 21210.

April 30

Creative Workshop Associates same workshop -- in Houston

May 12-23

Strategies for Individualizing Instruction. a graduate level minicourse. Write: Dr. Joyce E. Miller.

3 114 Marilee, Garland, TX 75043, (214) 278-4621.

May 22-23

International Conference on Gifted Students. For info on this Ontario

GIFTED CHILDREN NEWSLETTER

New Publication.. . . . GIFTED CHILDREN NEWSLETTER published monthly. First issue April 1980 is 16-pages of very professionally written material.

Punched for notebook; worth keeping. Charter subscriptions still available at $24 per year from: Gifted and Talented Publications, Inc. 530 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

workshop, write Enrichment Staff, West Education Centre. 2399 Mountainside Dr., Burlington.

Ontario. L7P I C6 June 4-July 9

Teaching the Creative and Gifted Student. 3-hr. graduate workshop.

East

Texa5

Contact: above)

March 1980

State

University.

Dr. Joyce

Miller (see

TAGTTempo

9

Legislative Report

Presidential Scholars Program

This is election time and an opportune time to contact your legislators (state and national) to get their position on funding for gifted education.

In addition, G/T education is facing one of its biggest crises now-federal budget cuts. Many sources have reported that the drive to balance the budget is going to involve cuts of G /T funding unless WE make it known to our representatives in Washington that this is not acceptable.

In a recent "Flash" from the Gifted Advocacy Information Network Inc. (GAIN), we were urged to contact: I) Shirley Hufstedler, Secretary of Education, regarding the need for adequate appropriation for G IT education AND the decision on placement of the Office of Gifted and Talented within the new Department of Education.

2) Your local legislators who are on the House Appropriations and Public Education Committees and the Senate Finance or Education Committee. Many legislators have yet to hear from advocates for G /T education, and they are ready to listen. (See lists to follow.)

[If you do not receive a copy of "Flash Report" from GAIN and would like to be included on future mailings, send your name and address to: GAIN, 225 West Orchid Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85021 or call (602) 944-2324.]

Senate Finance Committee: Grant Jones. Chairman. Abilene Tati Santiesteban, V. Chm .. El Paso Chet Brooks. Pasadena Tom Creighton, Mineral WeBs Ray Farabee. Wichita Falls Paul L. Longoria. Edinburg Carl Parker, Port Arthur Peyton McKnight, Tyler

Bill Meier. Euless W. T. (Bill) Moore. Bryan W. E. (Pete) Snelson. Midland (author of S8 350) A. R. (Babe) Schwartz, Galveston John Traeger. Seguin

Senate Education Committee: Oscar MaUlY. Chairman. Dallas W. N. (Bill) Patman. V. Chm .. Gacado Grant .lones, Abilene Bill Meier. Euless Tali Santiesteban. EI Paso O. H. (Ike) Harris. Dallas Jack Ogg. Houston W. E. (Pete) Snelson. Midland Carlos Truan, Corpus Christi R. L. (Bob) Vale. San Antonio Lindon Williams. Houston

March 1980

An annual program for recognition of the nation's most outstanding graduating seniors, the Presidential Scholars Program was established by Executive Order of the President in 1964. It is implemented each year by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United State Office of Education.

Consideration is given to all high ranking students who take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in their junior year, and is by invitation only.Of the more than one thousand of the nation's most outstanding high school seniors invited to be candidates, 121 are designated as Presidential Scholars and receive a medallion commemorating this designation by the President and are invited to Washington, D.C. for special ceremomies.

Further information will be sent upon request to: Commission on Presidential Scholars, US Office of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202.

House Appropriations Committee: Bill Presnal. Chairman. Bryan Don Rains. V. Chm .. San Marcus Jim Clark, Pasadena Charles Finnell. Holiday Fred Head. Athens W. S. (Bill) Heatly, Paducah Dan Kubiak. Rockdale Richard C. Slack. Pecos Leroy J. Wieting. Portland Doyle Willis. Fort Worth Fred Agnich. Dallas Robert Bush, Sherman Milton E. Fox. Houston William Hall. Jr.. Laredo Cullen Rogers Looney, Edinburg Ed Mayes. Granbury .lim D. Rudd, Brownfield Lou Nelle Sutton. San Antonio Scnfronia Thompson. Houston Robert Valles, EI Paso House Public Education Committee: Hamp Atkinson. Chairman. Texarkana Ernestine Glossbrenner. V. Chm .. Alice Wayne Peveto. Orange John Bryant. Dallas Ronald D. Coleman. EI Paso Charles Evans. Hurst (author of HB 1(10) Milton E. Fox. Houston Bill Blanton. Farmers Branch Paul Elizondo. San Antonio Bill Haley. Center Anthony L Polumbo, Houston

TAGTTempo

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