Begabungs

From Parmesan to Morfo – A Speaking Fairy :-)

begabungs — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:24:09 +0000

Sometimes I have crazy ideas and when I look around me everything can inspire me to get more ideas and create new things like a “speaking fairy”

Am I creative? I don´t know but let me tell you about my newest creation.

I like paremsan, fairies, ballons, working with clay to create new things, my ipad and all my apps,…!

You may ask me now what should we do with all these things and I will tell you how eating parmesan and thinking about fairies inspired me to create a video of a “speaking fairy”.

1- You need an empty box of paremsan or something like that,

2- A ballon

3- Clay

4- Now create a fairy face, like this one that I created

5- Take a picture of it with your iphone or ipad.

6- Morfo is a cool app you should give it a try: http://www.morfoapp.com

7- Create a video with your picture of fairy like this one,

Fairy

Ok, now you will hopefully understand how things around me inspire me to create and combine all ideas in my head to create new things. It is fun.

Creativity is like water for my thirsty soul.

I have to create to enjoy my flow and flow give me positive energy. Have fun by finding your flow.

Never give up following your dreams!

begabungs — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:41:19 +0000

All kids have dreams of what they’ll be when they grow up and I had a dream too!

When I was a child, I was a little shy, a little introvert, very sensitive and emotional girl. Most of my time I spent reading books, asking questions, talking to my doll, which was a little plastic mouse and telling him my complaints and worries, writing stories or poems, creating or painting new things,…

In the time of the 70´s, it was the time of super heros like Batman, Superman, Superwoman, Spiderman, Ironman,… All those heros inspired me and tickeld my fantasy to write a story at the age of 7 about myself and my little mouse, being superheros too and saviours of the world. A world changer…

My peacefull life turned into a very serious life after the iranian revolution. I had to visit a regular school. It was boring! Most of the time I was doodling for myself , dreaming, flying in my fantasy and thinking about a solution to change this painful situation. I promised to myself to open a center, when I grow up and kept this in my heart for a long time.

I tried to shut my mouth to tell anybody that I went to a school for gifted kids, I tried to be normal like other kids, I tried to hide my differentness…but I could not really do that. Whatever I started, showed my potential and talent at some time.

Being gifted can hurt, I said to my mother once but she always believed and encouraged me. It meant a lot to me.

Year after year, I tried to collect experiences, to change myself and become stronger, a surviver to fulfill my dream, to open a center for kids like me, for gifted kids…

On Nov. first 2008 it was the right time on right place…It was time and I was soooo happy that I did not give up.

I finally founded a center and today is the celebration of the 4th birthday.

My advice to all gifted kids around the world is to follow your dreams and never give up. Do not let other people punish you, hurt you or change your mind. Be proud of your talent, be proud of being you. The world needs you my shining stars!

Happy National Grandparents Day! September 9th 2012

begabungs — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 14:32:31 +0000

It is the national day of grandparent today. I have not the experience to be a grandmother yet but I would like to share my experience about grandparents of gifted children and their important roles with you. I have a little friend, who is 5 years old. He has a fantastic imagination and as soon as he talks with you, you notice his great language skill. I believe that he is a gifted child because he has so many behaviors that point to this fact. The only problem is that his parents are not willing to accept it. ” Our child should grow up as a normal child. We do not want to take his childhood by pushing him into the trouble of being a gifted child” his parent said to me once. One day I was talking to his grandparents and tried to explain to them the importance of supporting the emotional needs and to develop his talents intentionally. I tried to explain to them the importance of this fact being a gifed child is nothing against having a normal life, when we develop our understanding for this kind of children. His grandmother asked me for a good book about this topic and I gave her one. She took the book very carefully and whispered to me: “I am going to read this book and try my best to help and support my grandchild. I want to see him as happy as possible.” She smiled so nice and I could feel her love and passion for her grandchild.

A Grandparents heart is full of love to grandchildren. I remember as my grandparent told me stories, baked yummy cookies and tried to make me happy and smile and today I see some of my clients, who are sent to my center by a recommudation from grandarents. It is time to appreciate their loves and take more time to learn from their experience. Happy National Grandparents Day!

Grandparents’ Guide to Gifted Children

Author(s): James T. Webb, Ph.D., ABPP-Cl, Janet L. Gore, M.A., M.Ed., Frances A. Karnes, Ph.D., Stephen McDaniel, J.D., A.E.P., E.P.L.S.

Multi-Award Winner! Grandparents have a very special role in the lives of their gifted grandchildren. In fact, because of the breadth of their life experiences, grandparents may realize that a child is gifted even before the parents do! This book helps grandparents know for sure and describes many ways that they can support their own children in the parenting of these bright, talented youngsters. Gifted children need special emotional and intellectual sustenance, and grandparents can offer perspectives and resources that their own children may not have. Parents may wish to buy this book as a gift for grandparents.

Happy reading!

I love Saturn – The way to understand gifted children

begabungs — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:38:51 +0000

One day a mother came in my center and she was looking for consulting for her 3years old daughter. She said that her daughter could read books, writes in English and German and that she was very interested to learn more about everything but especially about planets, space and gallaxy.

I still wanted to experience herself, that she can read. From the shelf I gave her a randomly chosen book and she began to read fluently. I did not trust my eyes anymore. That little girl looked like other children of her age but her ability made a huge difference. Her mother said that she did not feel well in kindergarten and was very lonely and bored.

I asked the little girl, which planet is your favorite? She looked in my eyes with her bright eyes and answered: ” Saturn”. I tried to to look cool and appealing and asked her again: ” oh because of ringy, bingy around it?” She threw a serious look at me and said : “This is not a ringy BINGY! It is all about compressed gases by ….” and she told me about the physical and scientific facts about Saturn. I was just speechless.

That was one of several talented children, we help daily in Bavarian Center for Gifted and Talented Children but not all are the same and equal.

Gifted children like other children have different profiles, different problems and different needs.

Of course not all of them are able to write or read early but they have many or all of the following characteristics that are usually associated with giftedness in the early years. Young children who are potentially gifted often:

have a high energy level
have a wide range of interests
Have a great memory
advanced vocabulary
Perfectionistic
Very creative
Prefer older companions or adults
Have a great sense of humor
Highly sensitive

Fact is that all these characteristics make raising a gifted child very difficult or better to say challenging for parents. These kids need a diverse program to better promote their needs and their talents. It is very important that the interests of the child are taken into account. High interest provides greater motivation and concentration and better results, otherwise they often react bored, stubborn and even angry, if there is no interest for the topic or due to repetition. As a parent of these children a lot of patience, understanding, calmness and positive thinking is a necessity.

To better understand these children it is very important for parents, educators and teachers to inform themselves about the topic.

My passion is Gifted Children – Interview with Mrs. Jackie Drummer

begabungs — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:55:04 +0000

In August 2007 England was host of the 17th Biennial World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conference.

I attended that Conference and met a lot of great people there. One of them was Jackie Drummer with her husband. Since we share the same passion, we became friends very quickly. She is a truely passionate gifted educator and always ready to give her support, when it is needed. I appreciate her work and friendship a lot.

Who is Jackie Drummer?

Jackie Drummer is a Past President of the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted. She has taught in all levels of education, from early childhood to graduate school, and is currently the Gifted and Talented Coordinator and Differentiation Specialist for the School District of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jackie is in high demand as an educational consultant, and has presented in over sixty school districts and educational agencies in the United States on topics related to gifted education, co-teaching, differentiation, and coaching teachers to higher levels of effectiveness. Jackie has been described as a “teacher’s teacher,” and is a certified literacy, team/organizational, and transformational coach. She is the wife of a gifted artist, and the mother of three grown gifted children, and her passion is helping people of all ages reach their fullest potential. In her spare time, she can be found writing, traveling, and making beautiful music with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Today is her birthday but she agreed to give me her time for this interview. I hope you will enjoy and take her advice to heart.

“Happy Birthday Jackie!”

Interview with Prof. Penny Choice

begabungs — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 21:35:05 +0000

A good friend is something very special. A few days ago I asked my friend, Penny Choice for an interview and she agreed.

Who is Penny Choice?

Penny Choice is retired Staff Development Coordinator for the Regional Office of Education, Grayslake, IL. She is a specialist in Gifted Education, differentiation and problem-based learning. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Drama from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, an M Ed in Gifted Education from National-Louis University, Evanston, IL and an MA in Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago.

Penny’s areas of expertise include curriculum development, staff development, gifted education, the Visual-Spatial Learner, problem-based learning, and fine arts education with a focus in integrating the arts and the use of process drama, a classroom instructional tool. She is co-author of the 2010 book, The New RtI: Response to Intelligence, published by Pieces of Learning.

Currently, she is adjunct professor with Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. Until she retired she was adjunct professor in Gifted Education with National-Louis University and Aurora University, Aurora, IL. She has taught classes on identification and characteristics of gifted children, differentiation of instruction for mixed-ability classrooms, gifted in the regular classroom, creativity, and social-emotional needs of the gifted child. For many years she has represented the Illinois State Board of Education as an official state trainer for gifted education verification for teachers.

An international consultant Penny has spoken extensively and conducted workshops for groups of teachers, administrators, counselors, and parents since 1985. As a consultant with Education Consulting Service she traveled for nine years throughout the country teaching strategies for working with students with diverse needs. She has provided technical assistance in program development for many districts, for the Illinois State Board of Education, and for several universities. Currently, she works with the Gifted Development Center, Denver, as the Midwest trainer on the needs of the Visual-Spatial Learner.

Penny is also a specialist in the use of a critical and creative thinking instructional strategy called process learning. It involves the use of drama in the classroom combined with problem-based learning. Process learning incorporates multiple intelligences and meets the needs of all learning styles. Sometimes called “process drama” it is an excellent instructional tool for all ability levels, all grade levels, and all content areas.

She is a featured presenter at national and state conferences in differentiation, gifted education, the Visual-Spatial Learner, drama-in-education and teaching in mixed-ability classrooms. Highlights include several presentations for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and for the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, an international organization. She is Past Chair for both the Arts Division and the Global Awareness Division/Network for the National Association for Gifted Children and serves as Co-Chair for the Diverse Gifted Populations Committee for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children.

Written publications include articles for several professional journals, the Illinois State Board of Education Gifted Arts Resource Guide and the Illinois Theatre Association publication, Followspot. She has received awards of excellence from the Illinois Theatre Association, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Northern Illinois Planning Commission for Gifted and Talented Education, and has received fellowships from the American Association of University Women and the Illinois State Board of Education. She is listed in several editions of Who’s Who including Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. In March1998 she received a second Award of Excellence in Teaching from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and in 2002 was honored to be included in America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals and is currently listed in Cambridge Who’s Who. On May 25, 2004, Penny was featured on the Jim Lehrer News Hour (Merrow Report) for PBS. In 2005 and again in 2007 she represented the National Association for Gifted Children and the People to People Ambassador Program in China and Egypt. Her book, The New RtI: Response to Intelligence (co-authored with Sally Walker) was awarded the 2010 Legacy Award for Educators.

I am so greatful for this interview and her kindness. On this way I would like to thank her for everything she did or still does for gifted children and gifted education.

More about Dabrowski:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/dabrowski.htm

http://www.stephanietolan.com/dabrowskis.htm

A memory…

begabungs — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:05:25 +0000

One day you will be just a memory,

in those little hearts,

who trusted you,

called you the giver of light.

One day the world will remember you,

as the power of dreams.

Remember today all good moments!

So wipe your tears from your cheeks,

stand up and fight for peace.

Hope is like a candle on the top of the lighthouse,

next to the stormy ocean.

That can never be extinguished,

by those puffs from the breeze of haters and ignorants.

Move on…move on.

Light up…light up,

The world is watching you now.

Can you understand me?

begabungs — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 11:42:45 +0000

I see what you can not see,

I feel what you can not feel,

My imagination brings me everywhere,

My fantasy lets me fly in an invisible world.

Sometimes it is good to be different!

Can you understand me?

~ Roya Klingner

“What You Need to Know About Gifted Children”- An interview with Dr. Deborah Ruf

begabungs — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:06:30 +0000

I have so many questions about gifted children and I am still learning. What about you? There are so many great educators all around the world, who are working for gifted children. One of them is my friend, Dr. Deborah Ruf.

I have never met her in person but we have become good friends. I asked her to give a lecture at the 4th Global Virtual Meeting for Gifted Education in Secondlife about Underachiever on January 29th 2011. She did a great job with her avatar. We need more such passionate and talented gifted educators like her and I am so proud to call her my friend.

Who is Dr. Deborah Ruf?

Deborah Ruf, Ph.D., Minneapolis, is a specialist in gifted assessment, test interpretation, and guidance for the gifted. A 2007 recipient of the national Intellectual Benefits Award from the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, she was the National Gifted Children Program Coordinator for American Mensa from 2003 to 2008. Having been a parent, teacher, and administrator in elementary through graduate education, she writes and speaks about school issues and social and emotional adjustment of gifted children. Her award-winning book, 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options (2005) (formerly titled Losing Our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind), summarizes “levels of intelligence” and highlights the spectrum of giftedness in children. For more information see http://www.educationaloptions.com or http://www.talentigniter.com.

Today at 5pm (German time) I interviewed her about gifted children, good advice for parents and teachers. Afterward I created this video and I hope you will enjoy it. I love to read her blogs: http://talentigniter.com/blog and follow her on twitter: @deborahruf

Thank you very much for this interview my dear Deborah!

“Building talents on the foundations of giftedness.”- Prof. Françoys Gagné

begabungs — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:01:22 +0000

What is Talent? What is Giftedness? How can we Build talents on the foundations of giftedness?

I think no one can answer these questions better than Prof. Gagné.

Who is Prof. Françoys Gagné?

Professor Françoys Gagné is a French Canadian from Montreal, Quebec. He obtained in 1966 his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Montreal. Dr. Gagné has spent most of his professional career in the department of Psychology, at l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

After a decade of research on student evaluations of teaching, he became interested in talent development in the late 1970s. Although his research brought him to study a variety of subjects within the field of gifted education (e.g., attitudes toward the gifted and their education, peer nominations, developmental profiles), he is best known internationally for his theory of talent development, the Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT), which has been endorsed by various educational authorities as their framework to define their target population and plan intervention provisions.

Professor Gagné has won major awards in the field of gifted education, among them NAGC’s prestigious Distinguished Scholar Award (1996), and two awards from the Mensa Society. Although retired from his UQAM professorship since 2001, Dr. Gagné maintains international publishing and keynoting activities.

Title : Honorary professor of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal.

I met Prof. Gagné at several international conferences and I am a big fan of him.

For our monthly event , the 20th Global Virtual meeting, I invited him to give a lecture for our audience.

He created an avatar and learned very fast about modern technology in a virtual world like secondlife.

He also provided a handout to his presentation, which you can download here

Prof. Francoys Gagné differentiates clearly between gifts (natural abilities) and talents (systematically developed from gifts) .

The DMGT 2.0

The participants at the global virtual meeting for gifted education were from USA, Germany, Norway, Netherland, Canada,…

I am very grateful for his presentation. His Model is the work of over 30 years of research and I believe it could help us to understand gifted children and nurture their talents and potentials in the best way.

The presentation was over 60 min. I created a video from the first 30 min. and I hope you have become curious to learn more about his modell in this way.

Video: The 20th Global Virtual Meeting for Gifted Education with Prof Gagné