Is your child gifted??

Are you wondering if your child is gifted?  Are you curious about how to find out if they qualify for extra gifted support?

The first step of determining if your child meets the gifted requirements is to have your school counselor administer a gifted screening tests.  This test consists of many different types of questions and usually lasts about 45 minutes.  If your child passes that test, they will qualify for further testing.  If your child does not pass this first test, as a parent, you are allowed to request further testing.

Next, the school or district psychologist will administer further testing with your child.  At that time, they will determine if your child meets the criteria for gifted classes.

Depending on the school district, if your child qualifies for gifted, they may attend a gifted classes with other children at the same intellectual level, once or twice a week.  During this class, your child will take on challenges that they wouldn't necessarily get in the classroom.

If your child does not qualify for gifted classes, you may have them retested a year later and continue that until they pass or you see fit.

Best of luck,
Mindy :)

Trying to boost those PSSA scores?

Recently, I got a question from a parent regarding how to prepare their child for the third grade PSSA's.  If your child is in third grade, they should have a Study Island Account.  On Study Island, your child is able to take tests so that you can see how they are doing.  They can also play lots of different games to practice the skills that they need to still master.  Ask your child's teacher for a print-out of your child's practice scores to get a better idea of what they need to practice before the PSSA's. 

Until next time,
Mindy :)

Is your child struggling to master their letters?

Is your child struggling to master their letters?
Here are some tips to help with letter naming fluency.
1. Introduce one letter to your child per every few days.  Have your child make the letter out of playdoh, write the letter in sugar or salt, draw the letter, write it in chocolate syrup...anything you can think of to make learning the letter fun!
2. Ask them about the letter throughout the day.  Carry a ring with the letters that your child knows around with you throughout the day.  Ask in the car, at the dinner table, etc.
3. Create a sheet with the letters that your child knows.  Have them read those letters daily, even multiple times a day. 
4. Make up a song with the letters that your teaching your child.
5. Hang the letters as your child learns them, in plain sight so that they pass them throughout the day.

The more repetition, the better!! 

Best of luck!

Mindy :)