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