Programs/Services: Gifted/Talented Program: Programs

Countywide Programs for Gifted Students

By Mary Kaminski

The coordinator of the Lorain County Gifted Consortium organizes four countywide programs yearly for elementary students. The purpose of the programs is to provide authentic and challenging learning experiences to meet the needs of gifted learners. The content standards for science, language arts, social studies and math are addressed through hands-on learning activities for the students in Lorain County.

The coordinator provides services to parents in the form of an informational night called SPIN that is held every other year.

The coordinator also offers enriched programming that is specifically designed for high school students in three of the county high schools.

A description of each event is provided.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAMMING

Environmental Science Fair
The Environmental Science Fair (ESF) takes place every October at one of Lorain County’s MetroParks. The purpose is to connect scientific concepts to the environment through a “classroom without walls” - the great outdoors. Eight to nine learning experiences are selected that relate to a specific topic. Teachers of gifted choose the ones that best fit the classroom instruction. Each group of students rotates to three learning experiences taught by a Lorain County MetroPark naturalist. A session on recycling is always included because of the importance of recycling on the environment.

The gifted coordinators are grateful to partner with Sally Pecora of Lorain County Solid Waste who provides instruction and funding for the event. They also would like to thank Gary Gerrone and the naturalists at Lorain County MetroParks for providing the setting and the instructional expertise in making this a valuable learning experience for the students.

Math Mania
     Math Mania is held in January or February at the Stocker Center of Lorain County Community College. This event provides top Lorain County math students with the opportunity to compete with other students in the county and to be recognized for their mathematical expertise.
     The event is divided into two segments of learning activities to incorporate all modalities of learning. One segment, Techno Math, presents students with standards-based questions. Individual students respond by choosing the right answer and registering it on their clicker. Immediate feedback is given so students learn as they play. School districts compete against each other through hands-on Turing Point technology. Questions were given to groups of students from other Lorain County school districts. Responses registered by district, and winners were recognized.
   The second segment is the 24 Game. In this rapid-speed computation game, players use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills to be the first to arrive at a solution that equals 24. The students may use multiple steps and multiple properties to arrive at the number 24 and they must be the first at their table to do so.

Mock Trial
     The Mock Trial simulates an actual courtroom trial with students playing all of the key roles except the role of judge. This addresses the Language Arts and Social Studies State Standards, the higher levels of thinking and many of the gifted processes of critical thinking, creative thinking and communication skills.
     The Mock Trial, held in January at the Elyria Courthouse, is an event where students act as lawyers, witnesses, juries and bailiffs in a real courtroom as they put characters in books on trial. The characters from novels, Nothing But the Truth, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Light in the Forest, Animal Farm, and The Outsiders, come to life through the students’ role playing which includes immersion in all aspects of the legal process.
     One of the highlights of the Mock Trial is that actual judges and lawyers act as judges for the students. No only do they act as judges, but also as instructors as they explain certain aspects of the trial.

Young Authors
     Young Authors, the longest running event organized by the gifted coordinators, is partially funded by the National Association of College Stores. This opportunity is open to all public and non-public Lorain County Schools including home schooling programs. Last year approximately 4,950 students in Lorain County wrote books. Of these students, approximately 1,000 attended the Conference at the Stocker Center of Lorain County Community College in May. All students involved in Young Authors are required to write and illustrate their own book. Districts evaluate the books and choose which students will attend the Conference.
     The event is divided into two parts: At the Open House held on a Monday evening student books are artfully displayed in the Stocker Center lobby. Families are invited to attend and share the evening with the children. Books written by the guest author can be purchased and students can meet the author and get their autograph.
     The event concludes the next day when the guest author speaks to the students. Each year a theme is selected and the author/speaker is selected based on the relation of the author’s books to the theme. A storyteller who combines storytelling with drama to enhance the stories they tell follows the author’s presentation.
     Students are also recognized for their outstanding work. One book written by a student is selected as “Best of Show” and that student is given a trophy. The winning book is printed in a hard-bound version with a copy given to the student, to the school library, and to the town library.

PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS

SPIN
The Lorain County Gifted Consortium hosts a Special Parent Information Night (SPIN) for Parents of Gifted children every other year in late September or early October. The event is held at the Stocker Center of Lorain County Community College and has been well attended by parents who wanted more information about gifted services that are provided for their children.

The goal for the event is to create partnerships with our parents, provide information relevant to the needs of gifted students, and to celebrate the opportunities and talents of our Lorain County Students. The interest this year from parents was evident with over 200 parents attending.

The purpose of this evening is to build public awareness of the special needs of gifted children to celebrate the opportunities and talents of our Lorain County students and to gain partnerships with the stakeholders who are instrumental to implementing and maintaining exemplary gifted programming.

There is a keynote speaker at every SPIN session followed by breakout sessions that give specific information on programs and services for the gifted children in Lorain County.

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

During the high school years the academic focus for the students is supplied via honors and AP classes. Students also have the opportunity to explore the Post Secondary Options Program by taking classes for dual credit at Lorain County Community college. In order to develop the total child, the high school gifted services offers enrichment for the students through interaction with the arts and community services that broadens their learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Goals of the high school services are: