GIFTED IN FRANCE
January 15, 2010

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
– George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman (1903)

Dear Friends,

Gifted in France wishes you and your families a very Happy New Year.

I am thrilled to announce a special guest speaker event with Dr. Wenda Sheard who will be addressing a topic that is likely to be of great interest to many bi-cultural or multicultural families living in France. GiF members have priority, but the invitation will open up to non-members as well. Please RSVP as soon as possible if you can join us.

Gifted Third Culture Children:
Strategies for Meeting Educational, Social, and Emotional Needs
Guest Speaker: Wenda Sheard, J.D., Ph.D.
Past President of SENG
Tuesday 16 February, 2010
19h30-22h00

RSVP is mandatory: deadline February 10, 2010, Space is limited (members have priority)
EMAIL: giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: Gifted Third Culture Kids
(please include your cell phone/emergency numbers with your RSVP)
LOCATION: 16eme, near Radio France
COST: 5€ for members, 10€ non-members

"Striking similarities exist between gifted children and third culture children. Children in both groups experience feelings of aloneness, feelings of knowledge beyond that of their classmates, and feelings of gaps between them and their classmates. Children in both groups experience clashes between their school environment and their learning needs. Dr. Sheard will share successful strategies for meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of children who are both gifted and living away from their home country. The presentation will include time for questions."

“Originally developed by sociologist/anthropologist Ruth Hill Useem over 40 years ago (Useem, 1999; see also Pollack & Van Reken, 1999), the concept of TCK (Third Culture Kids) refers to children who have lived outside their passport country with their parents during childhood; these children have blended elements of their passport culture and the foreign culture into a third culture (Kidd & Lankenau, n.d.). Pollack and Van Reken describe the third culture as an interstitial culture, a culture between cultures.”

Wenda Sheard, J.D., Ph.D., is a U.S. attorney, teacher, and mother of three gifted children. After practicing law for nearly twenty years, she earned a Ph.D. in political science with an emphasis on education policy. From 2004-2006, Dr. Sheard lived in Hangzhou, China and taught at an international school. She's currently living near London, England and teaching at an international school. She’s the immediate past president of SENG (www.sengifted.org), a recipient of an Ohio Association for Gifted Children award, a presenter at state and national gifted conferences, and a writer of articles about gifted children, including "Lessons from our kissing cousins: third culture kids and gifted children" published in Roeper Review in 2008. She has helped teach the highly gifted portions of on-line gifted education courses and has presented at teacher in-service days

We will be making a donation to SENG as a gesture for the support and guidance they give to countless families and professionals in the US and overseas through their online publications, webinars and DVDs. Now, they are extending their support to Gifted in France with Wenda Sheard’s special guest appearance.

We hope you can join us.

Best regards,

Helen Sahin Connelly
President, GiF
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com
giftedinfrance@gmail.com

GIFTED IN FRANCE
October 28, 2009

"The biggest mistake we make in life is to treat everyone equally when it comes to learning."
− Mel Levine

Gifted in France: Upcoming morning and evening presentations for November:

Please take a moment to review and RSVP ASAP the meetings that are of interest to you. These are recorded Webinar presentations that were purchased from SENG and will be shown on a screen via projector/laptop. We welcome and encourage spouses, caretakers, teachers and other professionals to attend these information rich meetings. Open to all, GiF members have priority. GiF is extremely grateful to SENG for addressing these topics that are seldom understood and seldom shared in such a complete manner.

Cost: 10€ for non-members, 5€ for GiF members. RSVP: giftedinfrance@gmail.com

Location: Near Radio France, 16eme arrondissement. Details upon RSVP. Please respond by the indicated deadlines for planning and security reasons. Some of these presentations will take place at Maison des Association du 16eme, also in the 16^th, so please be sure to check your RSVP confirmations for correct locations.

MORNING PRESENTATIONS
TOPIC	DATE OF PRESENTATION	RSVP giftedinfrance@gmail.com DEADLINE
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults Recorded Webinar Presentation by James T. Webb, PhD	Tuesday 10 November, 10h00-12h30	RSVP: Mandatory, by 6 November. Subject: Misdiagnosis. Space limited.
The Autonomous Learner Model for the Gifted and Talented Recorded Webinar Presentation George Betts, PhD	Thursday 12 November, 10h00-12h30	RSVP: Mandatory, by 7 November. Subject: The Autonomous Learner Space limited.
Understanding the WISC-IV: What EveryParent of a Gifted Child Should Know Recorded Webinar Presentation by Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN, ABPN	Tuesday 24 November, 10h00-12h30	RSVP: Mandatory, by 18 November . Subject: Understanding WISC IV. Space limited.
EVENING PRESENTATIONS
TOPIC	DATE OF PRESENTATION	RSVP giftedinfrance@gmail.com DEADLINE
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses ofGifted Children and Adults Recorded Webinar Presentation by James T. Webb, PhD	Friday 13 November, 19h30-22h00	RSVP: Mandatory, by 8 November. Subject: Misdiagnosis. Space limited.
The Autonomous Learner Model for the Gifted and Talented Recorded Webinar Presentation George Betts, PhD	Friday 20 November, 19h30-22h00	RSVP: Mandatory, by 13 November. Subject: The Autonomous Learner. Space limited.
Understanding the WISC-IV: What Every Parent of a Gifted Child Should Know Recorded Webinar Presentation by Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN, ABPN	Tuesday 24 November, 19h30-22h00	RSVP: Mandatory, by 17 November. Subject: Understanding WISC IV . Space limited.

DETAILS OF THE RECORDED PRESENTATIONS:

1. Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: What Parents, Educators and Psychologists Need to Know Presented by James T. Webb, PhD SENG 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. 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. www.giftedbooks.com 2. The Autonomous Learner Model for the Gifted and Talented Presented by George Betts, Ed.D. SENG The Autonomous Learner Model is one of the leading models used in the field of gifted education. It was created by-and for-gifted kids. The flexible design of this model allows teachers, learners and parents to use this model in the school and in the home. The major goals are to meet the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of the gifted and talented and to facilitate the total growth as independent, self-directed learners. Not only is this webinar for teachers, parents and counseling professionals, but for students who seek to be autonomous learners. George Betts is a professor of special education in the area of gifted and talented education at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, and former teacher/facilitator at Arvada West High School, Arvada, Colorado. He is the director of Center for the Education and Study of the Gifted, Talented, and Creative and the director of the Summer Enrichment Program at the University. He received the 1990-91 Distinguished Service Award from NAGC and was honored with the Life-Time Achievement Award by the Colorado Association for the Gifted and Talented in 1996. In 2003, George was selected as one of the 50 Most Influential Leaders in the Field of Gifted Education by the National Association for Gifted Children. In 2006, he was awarded the M. Lucile Harrison Award for Professional Excellence, the highest award presented to a professor at the University of Colorado. 3. SENG: Interpretation of the WISC IV: What Every Parent of a Gifted Child Should Know Information about Special Topics in Assessment of Gifted Children Presented by Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN, ABPN The WISC IV offers more than IQ scores. While informative, the various domains of Full Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed can be misleading. This session focuses on WISC IV sub-test interpretations that will help parents get the most out of this robust tool. Too often parents receive scores from a WISC IV administration, but without the key meanings behind each subtest. It is most important for parents of gifted children to have an advanced understanding of the WISC IV, since they will generally be in the advocacy role for their child Dr. Paul Beljan is a Diplomate and Past President of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology (ABPdN). He is in private practice at Beljan Psychological Services, Phoenix, AZ. Webinars provided by SENG, www.SENGifted.org. SENG is committed to sharing complex issues relating to the social and emotional needs of giftedness. Webinars reflect the opinions of their speakers and do not necessarily represent the philosophy of SENG. SENG invites your comments and discussion about this webinar following the session. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope to see you soon. Kind regards, Helen Sahin Connelly President, Gifted in France giftedinfrance.blogspot.com

GIFTED IN FRANCE
October 10, 2009
Creativity requires the courage to let go of uncertainties.
~Eric Fromm

Dear Friends,

A special thanks to Mr. de Alcantara for his time and support of GiF.

OBJECT WISDOM
Creativity Workshop with Pedro de Alcantara
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ages: 9 -13+
Cost: 10 €
RSVP: Open to all, but priority will be given to GiF members.
Must register in advance: Please submit the attached form by November 12th.

“How many things can you do with a broom? Well, you can sweep the floor, for instance, or you can use the broom to prop a door open. Wait, you can also use it as a pendulum, a baton, a weapon, a musical instrument… and you could even use it to fly over the moon. If you open your mind and your eyes, you’ll discover that every object in your life has the potential to do a hundred different things you never suspected before. Pedro de Alcantara will provide the objects, you provide the mind and eyes!"

Mr. de Alcantara is the author of two novels for young readers, Befiddled and Backtracked (available at Red Wheelbarrow ) as well as several works of nonfiction for adults. To learn more about him and his books for young people, visit www.pedrodealcantara.com

Gifted in France is a non-profit association that is self-funded. We are indebted to the families who’ve extended their support through their membership.

Kind regards,
Helen Sahin Connelly
GiF,
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com

GIFTED IN FRANCE
August 23, 2009
If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step up to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Dear Friends,

Happy Rentrée to everyone!
We are slowly getting off the ground for 2009-2010.Here’s a brief announcement for a workshop to get those creative juices flowing. We thank Cathy Altman Nocquet for offering this fundraiser activity for GiF.

MEET YOUR MIND: THE FERTILE FACTORY
Creative Writing Workshop with Cathy Altman Nocquet
Date: Saturday September 12, 2009
Ages: 9 and up!
Time: 15h00-17h00
Cost: 10 euros
Priority will be given to members
Deadline for signing up: September 5, 2009, first come first serve.
RSVP: giftedinfrance@gmail.com ; Subject: Creative Writing with Cathy

Cathy Altman Nocquet made a career of creative thinking while working in international advertising as a writer and strategist. Her after-school, creative writing workshops use offbeat, inspiring exercises to develop creative thinking long term. Kids ages 9 and up will invent unexpected characters to populate the strangest of settings, concoct revolutionary plots, turns colors and senses inside out.....And see that their ideas are limitless!
Bring a spiral notebook and your favorite pen!!

(For more information about Cathy’s weekly workshops, please contact her directly at: altman.nocquet@free.fr)

Gifted in France is a non-profit association that is self-funded. We are indebted to the families who’ve extended their support by becoming members.

Kind regards,
Helen Sahin Connelly
GiF,
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com