GIFTED in FRANCE

"If we don't stand up for children,

then we don't stand for much."

~Marian Wright Edelman

May 4, 2012

RACE TO NOWHERE

Thursday June 7, at 18h30
Schedule: 18h30 reception, 19h00 film, 20h30 discussion
American University of Paris
6 Rue du Colonel Combes
75007 Paris

Dear Parents, Educators, School Administrators, Doctors, Mental Health Professionals and Concerned Friends,

Please join us for the screening of an acclaimed documentary, Race to Nowhere, on Thursday, June 7, at 18h30 at the American University of Paris. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the audience. A limited number of tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis on this link.
While this is an American documentary, its message also resonates with many of us here in France.

"A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children's lives. Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in schools: cheating has become commonplace; students are disengaged; stress-related illness and depression are rampant; and many young people arrive at college (university) and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. Race to Nowhere is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare our children to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens."

Reserve your ticket by following this link:

http://www.racetonowhere.com/screenings/american-university-paris

Watch the trailer

Schedule: 18h30 reception, 19h00 film, 20h30 discussion

"For too many, childhood has become a period of productivity and performance. Children no longer have time to play, to discover passions, to rest, to make mistakes, to reflect, or to build the resilience needed for a balanced and healthy adulthood," said director and parent Vicki H. Abeles. 

Please pass the word to your friends, families, colleagues, teachers, administrators, doctors, and mental health professionals.

We are indebted to The American University of Paris and its president Dr. Celeste M. Schenck for hosting the screening.

If you have interest in bringing Race To Nowhere to your schools or organizations, please visit the film's highly organized website and blog where you will find links, tools and other material to spread awareness and ideas to take action in both small and big ways. The makers of the film are dedicated to helping you find solutions and providing you with resources to do so.

For questions about the June 7th screening or to be involved in our efforts to share this documentary with the community here in Paris, please email giftedinfrance@gmail.com, subject: Race to Nowhere.

Helpful Links:

RESOURCES:

Relevant Articles

Doctors Give A Big Thumbs Up for Race to Nowhere's Campaign for Change

Cheating Is Not Just a "Rich Kid" Problem

School Communities Making Changes

Helpful Websites

Thank you in advance for your support.

Best regards,

Helen Sahin Connelly

President, Gifted in France

association loi 1901

check out our other blog: 

parisfrancespellingbee.wordpress.com

Essential Skills

GIFTED in FRANCE

April 1, 2012

Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves,
and it is tiresome for children to be always
and forever explaining things to them.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery,
"The Little Prince.”

Dear Friends,

Please join us for a last minute scheduled viewing of Richard Cash’s webinar before the long April break kicks off. 

Essential Skills for Adolescent Gifted Students
90-minute Recorded Webinar
with Dr. Richard M. Cash

Thursday April 12, 2012  – Two presentations, choose one.
Morning   11h30-14h00 (bring your lunch)
Evening   19h30-22h00 (bring a light snack for the table)

RSVP: Deadline mandatory by April 9
EMAIL:  giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: Essential Skills. Please specify which time you are attending.  Minimum attendance of 5 people is required. First-come, first-served. Space limited.                                      

PARTICIPATION FEE:  5 euros for GiF members, 10 euros for non-members. (Checks payable to Gifted in France must be mailed in advance: Gifted in France, 39 ave de Versailles, 75016 Paris.

HANDOUTS: Slides of the PowerPoint will be prepared if RSVP is on or before April 9th.

LOCATION:  Paris, 75016 (near Radio France)

Webinar Description: As gifted children move into adolescence, motivating and engaging them in learning becomes more complex and complicated. In many cases this perceived lack of motivation and/or engagement may be due to the students’ deficit in the academic strategies of self-regulation to learn independently. It is essential that parents and teacher assist students in developing the skills of self-regulation, including planning, organizing and meta-cognition. This session will offer suggestions as to how to develop self-regulated learners and ideas of how to encourage autonomous learning. This recorded Webinar, organized and hosted by SENG, is presented in PowerPoint format.

About Richard M. Cash:
Dr. Richard M. Cash is the Director of Gifted & Talented Programs, K-12, for the Bloomington, MN Public Schools. Prior to his work as a district administrator and college-level instructor, Dr. Cash taught first and sixth grade in an urban school for gifted children. Dr. Cash is a US delegate to the World Council on Gifted Education, serves in leadership roles within NAGC and ASCD and is on the Editorial Board for SENG. At the recent NAGC conference, he was honored as the NAGC 2011 Early Leader Award recipient. He also works as a private consultant to many schools districts around the US and internationally.

Please join us and invite your partner, caretaker, teachers and friends to participate in this information-rich session.

Gifted in France is a loi 1901 non-profit association. GiF does not endorse speakers or their material, but aims to provide a wide variety of ideas and discussions about the gifted and twice exceptional population.
As always, thank you for your support.

Best regards,
Helen Sahin Connelly
President, Gifted in France
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com
parisfrancespellingbee.wordpress.com

You are your song...

GIFTED in FRANCE

February 20, 2012

“As a songwriter, if you can touch people 
and make them feel a little less alone in the world, 
then you've done your job." 
Tom Coltrane

YOU ARE YOUR SONG 

with Songwriter, author Pedro de Alcantara

Sunday March 18, 2012

15h30-17h30, Space limited to 12 (for ages 9-14+)

Workshop description:

Write your own songs from scratch! Suitable to all styles, including wordless and tuneless. No previous fame required.  Pedro de Alcantara is a composer and improviser. In his latest CD, "Songs & Soundscapes," he plays the cello, the piano, and the accordion, and he sings and whistles. Plus there's a whole track of howling.  

About Pedro de Alcantara:

Pedro’s recently released CD, "Songs & Soundscapes,” is the result of three years of sonic adventures, it contains fifteen improvisations and compositions that have been variously described as “tribal classic,” “shamanic jazz,” and “the universal folk music.” Read more about Pedro’s published books, music, etc., on his website and see his recent CD on this youtube link. http://www.pedrodealcantara.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/user/integratedmusician?feature=mhee

We are grateful to Pedro for taking time from his busy schedule of writing and traveling to share his passion with Gifted in France.

See you soon.

Helen Sahin Connelly

Owls on the prowl...

GIFTED in FRANCE

February 20, 2012

“A wise old Owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke;

The less he spoke the more he heard; 

Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?”

Little Mad Scientists' Club presents

Owls on the Prowl with Matt Black

Sunday March 18, 2012

15h00-16h30, Space limited to 12 (for ages 5-7)

Workshop description: What animal is armed with razor sharp talons, can fly as silently as a moth, can detect its prey even in pitch darkness, and is strong enough to hunt animals twice its weight?  Owls are among the champions of the predator world, with amazing adaptations that make them some of the most powerful, stealthy and deadly hunters in any habitat where they live.  Come join Matt Black, science teacher at the Lennen Bilingual School and children’s musician based in Paris, for a first-hand look at these incredible nocturnal predators and some of the special adaptations that make them unique in the animal world.  And for a special treat, we’ll actually dissect their pellets (coughed-up lumps of undigested fur and bones of the animals they’ve eaten) to see what prey they’ve been hunting!  Each student will receive his or her own sterilized pellet to dissect with Matt’s help.

To reserve your spot

1.       Please email Julie Harris, before March 11 at julie.harrisguiader@gmail.com Subject:  Owls On the Prowl!  EVENT IS FULL.

2.       Participation fee: 12 euros, must be paid in advance to secure your spot. Check payable to Gifted in France, Address: 39 ave de Versailles, 75016.
Please note that payment is non-refundable as we have extra expenses associated with this activity.

About Matt Black:

Matt Black has been a professional educator for almost two decades, and has always loved making music fun for kids. His interactive performances incorporate humor, movement, silliness, singing, and even some (gulp) learning.

Apart from his work as a musician, Matt is a science teacher at the Lennen Bilingual School in Paris, and has previously served as an educator and program director for the Connecticut Audubon Society and the New Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut.  He was formerly on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association, and has also served as a lecturer at Yale University and with the Yale Alumni College Abroad program.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and was the editor of the Franklin Watts Encyclopedia of the Environment among several other science and environmental publications for children. You can learn more about Matt at www.musicwithmattblack.com.

We look forward to nurturing the Little Mad Scientists' Club in the weeks and months ahead. We welcome and encourage parents to lead talks, do show-and-tell, and share their expertise.
Thank you Julie for hosting Matt’s workshop. We hope to hear from more parents who can host other workshops for curious minds.
 
Best regards, 
Helen Sahin Connelly

coping with anxiety...

GIFTED in FRANCE 

January 27, 2012 

“I still have pretty much the same fears I had as a kid.
I’m not sure I’d want to give them up;
a lot of these insecurities fuel the movies I make.”
Steven Spielberg

Dear Friends,

Please join us for a viewing of Michele Kane’s webinar on:

Stress, Anxiety and Gifted:

Coping with Everyday Life
90-minute Recorded Webinar Presentation
featuring Michele Kane Ed.D.
Thursday February 16, 2012  – Two presentations, choose one.

Morning   11h30-14h00 (bring your lunch)

Evening   19h30-22h00 (bring a light snack for the table)

RSVP: Deadline mandatory by February 12

EMAIL:giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: Coping With Everyday Life. Please specify which time you are attending.  Minimum attendance of 5 people is required. First come-first served. Space limited.                          

PARTICIPATION FEE:

5 euros for GiF members, 10 euros for non-members. (Checks payable to Gifted in France must be mailed in advance: Gifted in France, 39 ave de Versailles, 75016 Paris.

HANDOUTS: Slides of the PowerPoint will be distributed. Please reserve your spot in advance so copies can be prepared by February 13. 
LOCATION:Paris, 75016 (near Radio France.)

Description of the Webinar:

Perfectionism, sensitivities, moral concerns, peers, expectations, and career confusion are only some of the issues facing gifted youngsters. This Webinar examines the sources of stress as well as explores specific strategies designed to minimize stress and develop self-awareness. In the webinar, Ms. Kane points out that stress is universal and experienced by everyone, and that “being bright, talented, creative, motivated, smart, ambitious, and even good looking can add to the stress in your life.” “Academic success and drive aren’t enough to make life manageable. The world is too complicated and intense, and it’s changing too fast.” She adds, “There are no easy answers, simple solutions, or quick fixes for managing stress” but says, “You can learn to understand why your life gets oppressive, depressive, stressed or otherwise unhealthy. You can learn to live in a new and better way.”  Webinar is presented in PowerPoint format.

About Michele Kane:

Michele Kane, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor and the Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Gifted Education Program at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. She is the past President of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children and former Chair of the Global Awareness Network of the National Association for Gifted Children. A major focus of Michele’s work is related to parenting gifted children, social and emotional needs of gifted learners, and the affective aspects of educational programming.

This Webinar was organized and hosted by SENG. Please join us and invite your partner, caretaker, friends to participate in this information-rich session.

Gifted in France is a loi 1901 non-profit association. GiF does not endorse speakers or their material, but aims to provide a wide variety of ideas and discussions about the gifted and twice exceptional population.

Finally, please take some time to read the two attachments, which you will find very useful in understanding your ‘intense,’ gifted children, relatives, partners, coworkers. Printing these articles and keeping them in your library could also be useful.

a.    Forms and Expressions of Intensity, Lisa Rivero recaps Piechowski.

b.    The Inner World of the Young and Bright, by Michael M. Piechowski

(thanks Michalis for forwarding this chapter to GiF from the book: Morality, Ethics, and Gifted Minds, by Cross and Ambrose.)

Best regards,
Helen Sahin Connelly
President, Gifted in France
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com
parisfrancespellingbee.wordpress.com

Water Olympics...

GIFTED in FRANCE

January 13, 2012

Little Mad Scientists' Club presents

Water Olympics with Matt Black

Sunday January 29, 2012

15h00-16h30, Space limited to 12 (for ages 5-7)

Dear Friends,

Water is all around us, and yet we often take it for granted - it's actually an amazing substance capable of spectacular feats of strength, flexibility, power and quick changes unlike anything else on Earth!  Come compete in the Water Olympics in this workshop with Matt Black, science teacher at the Lennen Bilingual School and children's musician based in Paris, who will help us put water to the test in a series of challenges - including the Droplet Race, the Satura-thon, and the Volume Relay - designed to push it to its unbelievable limits!

To reserve your spot

1.Please email Julie Harris: Update: Event is now FULL.

2.Participation fee: 10 euros, must be paid in advance. 


About Matt Black:

Matt Black has been a professional educator for almost two decades, and has always loved making music fun for kids. His interactive performances incorporate humor, movement, silliness, singing, and even some (gulp) learning.

Apart from his work as a musician, Matt is a science teacher at the Lennen Bilingual School in Paris, and has previously served as an educator and program director for the Connecticut Audubon Society and the New Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut.  He was formerly on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association, and has also served as a lecturer at Yale University and with the Yale Alumni College Abroad program.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and was the editor of the Franklin Watts Encyclopedia of the Environment among several other science and environmental publications for children. You can learn more about Matt at www.musicwithmattblack.com.

We look forward to nurturing the Little Mad Scientists' Club in the weeks and months ahead. We welcome and encourage parents to lead  talks, do show-and-tell, and share their expertise. 

Thank you Julie for hosting Matt’s workshop. We hope to hear from more parents who can host other workshops for curious minds.

Gifted in France is a loi 1901 non-profit association. GiF does not endorse speakers or their material, but aims to provide a wide variety of ideas and discussions about the educational, emotional and social needs of the gifted and twice exceptional population. In addition to meetings for parents, GiF also organizes science and creativity workshops for kids, as well as the annual Paris Spelling Bee, which is a community-wide enrichment event open to children in CE2-4ème.  

Best regards,
Helen Sahin Connelly

French Education System

GIFTED in FRANCE

October 20, 2011

They say that we are better educated than our parents' generation. 

What they mean is that we go to school longer. 

It is not the same thing. 

 ~Richard Yates

Dear Friends,

Please join us for a lively discussion on How to Work the French Education System with guest speaker Florence Créneguy on Thursday November 17^th. We hosted Mme Créneguy a year ago and it was one of our most popular events. It was a clear indication of how little we  understand the system and how few opportunities there are to talk about it with people in the know. Space is limited, meeting is open to everyone, but members have priority. RSVP mandatory.

HOW TO WORK THE FRENCH EDUCATION SYSTEM

Guest speaker: Florence Créneguy

Thursday November 17, 2011  -- 19h30-22h00

RSVP: Deadline mandatory by November 10, first come first served.

Email: giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: French Education

            Space is limited to 20.

Admission fee:  5 euros for GiF members, 10 euros for non-members.

Location: 75016

Description (Presentation is in English): 

“Mme Créneguy will explain how the French system works from primaire through Lycée, some ‘problems’ that gifted children encounter in the traditional system; ideal grades for skipping/grade acceleration and some options your child may have outside of the ‘classical’ track for entering and succeeding in Lycée. This talk is generally aimed at helping parents manage the French system by understanding how it’s structured and opportunities to make it work for your child. With your RSVP, please send along your questions, with the ages and grades of your children.  This will help us understand the needs of the participants. General information on the French system can be found at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_France.

Background on the speaker:

Mme Créneguy is Enseignante Education Nationale et Formatrice pour Enfants Intellectuellement Précoces pour AFEP

She has been a teacher of gifted children for more than 15 years. She currently teaches in the secondary section of Ecole Gerson, a Catholic semi-private school (in the 16^th).  She also gives talks on behalf of AFEP to teachers and parents around the country and participates in conferences and meetings about gifted children in France.  She is French, but speaks English quite well. She has participated at previous GiF meetings. We are grateful for the time she taking to help us better understand our education system.

Munchies/Potluck: Please bring along something to drink or eat, something very easy you can pick up from the grocery store to add to the nibble selection. No stress!

Gifted in France is a loi 1901 non-profit association. GiF does not endorse speakers or their material, but aims to provide a wide variety of ideas and discussions about the educational, emotional and social needs of the gifted and twice exceptional population.

See you soon.

Best regards,

Helen Sahin Connelly

President, Gifted in France

giftedinfrance.blogspot.com

parisfrancespellingbee.wordpress.com

Story of Stuff

GIFTED in FRANCE

October 13, 2011

Modern technology,

Owes ecology,

 An apology.

~Alan M. Eddison

THE STORY OF STUFF (Ages 9-13+)

Date and time: Sunday November 6, 2011 at 14h00-17h00

RSVP: Mandatory  

Email:  giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: The Story of Stuff

Participation Fee:  10 euros / Checks payable to Gifted in France.

Location: 75016, near Radio France

Workshop led by: Corinne Coughanowr, Ph.D. Chemical Engineer, 

specializing in recycling, waste management and sustainability

Description:

We all know something about recycling, but have you ever wondered where all the stuff we buy comes from? What about where it goes when we throw it out? How often have we thought about all the steps that occur before that new iPod or T-shirt joins our possessions? How was it made, where did all the ingredients come from, who was involved…?

In this workshop, we will start with the short film “The Story of Stuff”, then look at the materials that make up our possessions, and start thinking upstream, downstream and in circles to understand the production and utilization of our everyday goods, and options for their “end of life."

This is an interactive workshop for kids, age 9-14+, parents are welcome to stay and participate as long as there is enough space.

We are grateful to Corinne for her time and interest in helping us understand The Story of Stuff!

See you soon,

Helen Sahin Connelly

Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses

GIFTED in FRANCE
October 7, 2011
Not all who wander are lost.
~J.R.R. Tolkien

Dear Friends,

Please join us for a viewing of Dr. Webb’s webinar on common misdiagnoses of gifted children and adults. Bring along your partners, pass the word to your teachers, administrators, health care professionals and others helping your children. This is one of my favorite discussions on the subject gifted, talented and twice-exceptional children.  

Space is limited, RSVP is always mandatory in advance.

Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults.

90-minute Recorded Webinar Presentation
by James T. Webb, PhD

Thursday October 20, 2011 – Two presentations, choose one.

Midday   11h30-14h00 (bring your lunch)
Evening  19h30-22h00 (bring a light snack for the table)

RSVP: Deadline mandatory by October 16.
Email: giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: Misdiagnoses. 
Please specify which time you are attending.  Space is limited to 20.
Cost: Free for GiF members and Message members, 10 euros for non-members. 
(Checks payable to Gifted in France).

Description of the webinar, presented in PowerPoint format.

“Because they lack training, mental health professionals are misdiagnosing gifted and talented children and adults as having mental disorders. The characteristics of gifted/talented children and adults - particularly if not understood at school, home, or work - often are mistaken for significant behavioral or emotional problems that can be misdiagnosed as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, or Bi-Polar Disorder... Parents and educators, therefore, must become more informed about these issues. 

However, for other children and adults, their giftedness is related, but often overlooked, for diagnoses that are accurate such as Existential Depression, Bi-Polar, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Sleep Disorders or Multiple Personality Disorder. That is, these children and adults do indeed have dual diagnoses - giftedness and some disorder. It is important that the aspects related to giftedness not be overlooked or misunderstood by professionals.

This session provides information to help parents, educators, and health care professionals understand how they can differentiate gifted behaviors from behavioral pathology. Dr. Webb will describe commonalities and contrasts between the characteristics of gifted children and adults and the behaviors described in the DSM-IV that are used by mental health professionals to make differential diagnoses. In addition, Dr. Webb will discuss dual diagnoses and how treatment approaches with gifted children and adults often need to be modified.”

Related article: Counseling, Multiple Exceptionality, and Psychological Issues

About  Dr. Webb:  

“Dr. James T. Webb founded SENG in 1981, and is the lead author of award winning books including Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults, Guiding the Gifted Child, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, Grandparent's Guide to Gifted Children, and Gifted Parent Groups: The SENG Model. He was previously President of the American Association for Gifted Children, on the board of directors for the National Association for Gifted Children, President of the Ohio Psychological Association, and a member of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Webb was recognized as one of the 25 most influential psychologists in a national survey published in Gifted Child Today.”  This webinar is a production by SENG.

Gifted in France is a loi 1901 non-profit association. GiF does not endorse speakers or their material, but aims to provide a wide variety of ideas and discussions about the gifted and twice exceptional population.

More meetings for adults and activities for kids coming up soon.

Best regards,

Helen Sahin Connelly
President, Gifted in France
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com
parisfrancespellingbee.wordpress.com

Paris Science Fair

GIFTED in FRANCE

October 3, 2011

OCTOBER = SCIENCE 

PASS THE WORD

Dear Friends, 

In case you have not heard, here is some information about the two big SCIENCE events happening in Paris over the next couple of weekends - for  families and individuals as well as schools. Take a few minutes to walk through the links and RSVP where necessary.

PARISCIENCE - INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FILM FESTIVAL

October 6-11, 2011 - Museum of Natural History.  

Click here to go the page where you can choose and RSVP the films you want to see. They book fast. Great for the family, depending on the film you chose. Great location too! 

FETE DE LA SCIENCE 2011

October 12-16, 2011 - throughout Paris, see links below.

Many science institutions and museums are participating in activities geared to schools, families and professionals. Some of the major museums like the Palais de la Decouverte and Cite des Sciences are open for Free to the public on 15-16 October. Other museums, universities, and institutions are also participating in this nation-wide festival.

Take a few minutes to look through the following links to choose something of interest. It can get a bit overwhelming when so many outlets schedule city-wide events, but hang in there, keep your searches simple and manageable for the family.a. go to this link for general info: 

•    b. go to this link, to customize your activities, http://www.fetedelascience.fr/pid25662/programme-des-manifestations.html?region=12

•    c. when you reach the link under 'b' then  --- chose your "region" "department," "villas," "Dates" (chose the weekend 15-16, unless you can go during the week; "types de public," will let you enter your desired age group, then hit return. A list of activities around Paris, for example, will be listed below. You can start your research over again, using different criteria.

See you soon.

More information from GiF coming your way soon. 

Best regards, 

Helen Sahin Connelly