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Show Sun Advocate Lifestyle Terry Bikakas and student, Cory Goleman pose beside Gole- mans science project, which was presented at the recent Reg- - Section B Tuesday, May 21, 1991 Elizabeth Smallwood of Durrant elementary was one of many students whose performing skills delighted audiences at the recent presentation of "Peace in Our Lives." ional Science Fair, Opening the door for the gifted challenges schools By ROSANN FILLMORE Sun Advocato editor People could tell Sammy (not his real name) was an exceptionally filled child in first frade. By second grade, he had lost interest in school and didn't want to do his work because he had "learned it all last year." By third grade, he was a hellion in the classroom and by fourth grade, he had fallen way behind his class because had shut off the learning process. In fifth grade, a teacher who recognized his abilities talked to the principal and they began to work he with him. They were too late. By now he was acting up at home and his parents were so discouraged, they gave up on him. He would come to school and read while his classmates worked on their studies. It was all his teacher and the principal could do just to keep ShcS Jo Manae z cl Casi HcgMs cxh&ts her Gcftytp Ladder, a winner In me school's recent Invent America program. threw him off course totally, and he has wasted the biggest share of his life," Jensen said. "If we had been prepared to handle his situation, to help him in school and out of trouble. Sometime in junior high, he dropped out Years later, his principal received a note saying, "I know you thought I wouldnt amount to anything, but I have achieved some success at what I'm doing. The note didnt wipe away the feeling of having failed the child for James Jensen, who was the boys principal. him with his peers and parents and teachers, he may have had a better life, lie was as handicapped by his giftedness as some children with disabilities. "We have gifted kids who need special attention. They cither sit back and not reach their potential, or they are "Ilis school experience Trio tourih eddon of tho Occkview Arrow b carefuty perused staff who created A They ao (front, left la rgh!) Tma by Nunez, Preston Marx, Mandcc Krajnc, Tony Ga'cmo; (back) V-- Teachers help talented kids expand gifts pnosA?gi Son FAtyone 4ca Gifted students are net entirely without opportunities La the Carbon County School District. Several programs led by dedicated teachers give exceptional children a chance to expand and enrich their educational experience. Although all students have the opportunity to participate and some critics may r.cl lelevt they are "gifted and talented precrams, assistant superintendent James Jensen I Lms the events pin the talented opportunities for challenge and excellence. Elementary students may participate in the Great Brain Contest, Talents Unlimited, Invention Convention, Great ItxVj, History Fair, Invent America and O dmey tf the Mmi In Ktvndary schools, students have free opportunity Lr grrwth as they pet Labi in music, drama, debate and xnxalhnal peter ami. Sterling Scholar programs help reerg hire talented students, and advanced academic courses along with concurrent enrollment in cdlege help gifted students move more quickly. For the past 10 yean.Terry Bikakis has been helping bus students at Mont Harmon Junior High t xtt! and succeed in science projects. They have just relumed from the International Science Fair In Orlando, Fla, w here they competed w ,th "SO students from throughout the world. The experience opened their eyes to new pcai.hil.Uet. "Very often, students who win in ninth grade continue w ith the project in high school, into expaftdrg it and other p ham of the research, B.kakit said. grg Students are taught to prthlefa solve uirg the sc ten- ure method. Theyre introduced to research methods and mentoring With gfefes their f.eld "When t ie students learning, it motivates me. t gel iisnals In excited when I see kids dirr the things t dsnt think I a text . I could ever would ftt stale that way BtVakis said There crnri a grant when bc-k- each of them would LVe to quit, when they cant think of a problem to solve. Then he has b mini terming sessions, until the excitement builds and the students believe they can f.nish their project. "Winning Isnt as important as completing the project, B.kakls ULcvts. Fund raisers help support the science fairs. Besides science projects, the students are Involved in I ridge bud hr g, writing step-by-st- d,ftlieni and biol-c- newspaper staff. Net the typical school newspaper, this paper is writ ten, designed and pasted up by the students wuh the help of their advesers, then taken to the 5an Wio cote far publication. The Cm I Ui0 Anmn has been the published t ice ye arfy two years. part fr ep al science. Such experiences help the This tear, Wdley has been joined by Loretta Marbach and the two have been teaching a select group tf f.flh graders journalism skdls. An edi- tor, assistant editor and graphic artist are named to students learn bgie, deduc- help direct the effurta tf the tive ftaionirg and problem news staff, which collects all sclvirg. B.kakii tc hexes that the news from Crttkview. without such ptrgramj.g.ftrd They read newspapers and talented students tan be and arc familiar the carefully absorbed into system w.thsrul txef stretchsrg to with aspects tf newspaper lleir potential. "Weve ha I kids w ha are not A students who have will and gone to the v penal science fair. Thrir talents may M 1 ttfVtUd In Heir grades, he explained At CeevVvievr Elementary, Be tty Jo Willey has lap pc J d per-fum- 'd r.i talents among her . a production that few children understand They are excited aheul the results tf their efforts end eagerly pass the latest td.ticn ml to their Hhvcdmatee. WJley said teaching the class has teen thalrgf where teachers and students have learned together. looked at as being different. Rather than being different, they stay in the middle of the pack, he said. The great challege of working with extremely talented children is developing their exceptional abilities while helping them fit into society, Jensen explained. Often, gifted children are difficult in the classroom or are not accepted by their peers. Perhaps if they were together in a classroom or group situation, they might discover they were not so "different and find ways to adjust, Jensen speculates. They need someone to work with them and help them develop their talents and gifts rather than being stifled," he said. "This is probably as frustrating a job as I have, to figure out ways to help without the resources we need. Jensen is assistant superintendent of the Carbon (Continued on Page Josh Woods, Kathryn V.'tcy, advisor Betty Jo Andrew. MoPy West, Pauta Axc'-se-n V.'-tc- y, 4B) Mctssa and Loretta Marbach. Committee plans for future of the gifted Jill Pappas of Castle Heights Elementary Is dedicated to Improving epperlun-Hie- s for gJlcd and talented students. "These kids ere just waiting for new challenges, and they get so c idled w hen they are learning something new she said "Often, r rob-Ir- m kids are g.fled kids. WT.cn they are being challenged, attitudes toward school charge, A gifted prrgtam Is not hast mart tf the same Hang kids ar already learning, Pappas pointed cut. Gifted program give kids experience with higher thinking kdls, problem solving and real world situations, Pappas Is a member of the committee tf tcachrrs who art currently planning a program far gifted and talented students. The group has prtpesed 8 lei of beliefs, objectives and n mUiian statement and will move on to strategies and action puns. to start In kinwith these kids dergarten and work all the way up Pappas said We cant wail untd fourth grade. Gifted kids are way dawn the l.U of priorities In most school iyxlems, where there Is tao Lttle money and too many demands on the "We have budget. 1 think there needs to be mere pubLc awartneis, she said "These kids nerd to be adder wed just like the kids who are In rticurte programs. Moil people brLcv if kid are smart, they are going to achieve. We need to tee that thou children are nsi stagnated and slif.ed Teachers hate propped that lb mission tf tb--e gfted and talented prtgram U to provide students with a variety cf pergram which develop their unip-- i talents and nurture their social, ttno-lion- s! and educations! growth. ftWfrS-- n mimnPeg4fO |