This morning I read the Belin Blank Institute's Visions Newsletter.  Belin Blank,  a part of the University of Iowa, is dedicated to the advancement of gifted children. They are the ones who published A Nation Deceived 15 years ago and it's followup A Nation Empowered more recently.  This was a study of the use and effectiveness of acceleration as an approach for educating gifted children.  It was eye-opening as their research proved the the common wisdom prevalent in the educational community - that acceleration was harmful to children - was unfounded. While acceleration is not necessarily the best way to support all gifted students, it is certainly one of the most cost effective and thus one of the most accessible.  Gifted programs for all children would still be preferable, but not readily achievable.  

Belin Blank created the Iowa Acceleration Scale years ago. This instrument is still in use. It helps educators and parents evaluate whether a a student is a good candidate for whole grade acceleration. They have now formed The Acceleration Institute,  to further their research into this area, and look at alternative types of acceleration. They have a page on their website which explains the 20 types of acceleration that could be useful to gifted students that I think could be helpful to parents evaluating how to address their child's educational needs:   

http://www.accelerationinstitute.org/Resources/acceleration_types.aspx

Founding CGCC board member Lauren Callaway has a lovely blog that is worth a read!  She calls it "Zebras not Horses." Her latest post is about team sports and the gifted kid.  

https://giftedkids.me/2019/06/10/just-say-no-to-soccer/

News from our professional member, Greenfields Academy:

All ages are invited to join us at Greenfields on Saturday morning, June 15, for this free concert!

Animal Farm is a group of musician-educators who perform original songs and sketches for children and families. Inspired by the challenges and triumphs of the children they have taught, David Ladon (Farmer Dave) and Seth Adams (The Sheriff) write songs exploring themes of social and emotional learning, community, and self-expression through the eyes of our furry, feathered, scaly, and shell-dwelling friends. Blending music, educational comedy, and audience participation, they bring their energetic live performances to libraries, parks, schools, and other cultural institutions throughout Illinois.

They are recording their new video live at this show, so bring your best energy and you might be the next music video superstar. Doors open at 10:30 am, concert starts at 11 am. Media waivers will be provided at the door.

Never heard of Animal Farm?

Check out their most recent video, The Abyss, which just happens to star three Greenfields staff members. Farmer Dave, aka our After School Coordinator, is an obvious one, but can you spot the other two?

Watch the Video

Fall Admissions @ Greenfields

Know someone who's still deciding about schooling for the fall? Invite them to attend this concert -- we will have staff members on hand to give tours and talk about Greenfields! A few spaces remain for Fall 2019.

Announcement from June 10, 2019 Argonne email . . .

With its complexity, power, and ability to change quickly (especially in Illinois), the weather is something that captivates us all. Scientists rely heavily on computation, including supercomputers at Argonne, for the challenging task of understanding and predicting the weather. Surprisingly, the same process by which scientists attempt to model and predict the weather is a skill that can be learned by middle school students.

As part of a curriculum project funded by the National Science Foundation, Argonne's Educational Programs will host a five-day camp on weather and computational thinking for middle school students.The camp is open to students entering 8th or 9th grade this coming school year. Students will have the opportunity to investigate the weather from the perspective of a computational scientist. They will work with data and computer models in a setting that offers insight into the unique problem-solving approach that is computational thinking

August 5-9, 2019

Argonne National Laboratory
Learning Center, Bldg. 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Lemont, IL 60439

Click here for complete details and to apply.

From the Chicago Philharmonic web site:

This program, presented through the Chicago Park District’s “Night Out in the Parks” initiative, brings side-by-side symphonic concerts to Chicago parks in local communities. Students and community members are invited to bring their instruments and collaborate with Chicago Philharmonic musicians in rehearsing and performing free concerts for members of the community and the general public. This initiative launched in 2015 with events at Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown and the Columbus Park Refectory in the Austin community. Since then we have expanded to perform at Humboldt Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, and South Shore Cultural Center.

We are excited to bring FIVE side-by-side concerts to Chicago in the summer of 2019!

June 21 – Humboldt Park Boathouse (with Make Music Chicago!)

June 29 – Ping Tom Memorial Park

July 28 – Columbus Park Refectory

August 3 – Hamilton Park

August 17 – Pottawatomie Park

Schedule for each concert:

Side by Side rehearsal – 3:00-5:00pm

Side by Side concert – 6:00pm

Interesting article out of the UK.  The independent, nearly obsessive pursuit of extreme mastery at an early age is what the author has defined as giftedness and her explanation of how that looks and feels is ever so approachable.  

From StoryStudio Chicago 5/23/2019 email blast . . .

Want 50% off? If you register for more than one Summer Camp, we're offering half-off the second camp!

OR

If you refer a young writer, the referred purchaser can also get 50% off their camp purchase. Camp is more fun when you're writing with friends.

Register now:

Grades 9-12: June 24-28
Grades 5-8: July 8-12
Grades 6-10 (Sci-Fi/Fantasy Focused): July 15-19 

Thanks to our professional member, Susan Goodkin, for introducing us to  a  
new international literary journal run by teens, Epifany Magazine. They are taking submissions now for their second issue. 

Susan encourages all teen writers to submit their work. Susan runs the California Learning Strategies Center which provides college counseling, particularly for gifted students aiming for selective colleges. She offers webinars throughout the year discussing the college admissions process. On May 19 and 25 she is offering her First Steps: What Parents of 8th, 9th and 10th Graders Need To Know Now About Getting Into Selective Colleges seminar. See details on the Calendar.

This multi-week program is designed to engage teens ages 15-18 in place-based research. Participants will dive into the rich history of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, practice public speaking and interview techniques, and serve as onsite interpreters during Chicago Architecture Center's annual Open House Chicago in October.

The 2019 summer program will include visits to historic buildings and culturally-important sites throughout Bronzeville. Ambassadors will interview community members about changes in the neighborhood over time, and will write, produce and edit their own audio stories focused on these interviews.

An application, brief interview and attendance at one of our information sessions (see dates below) are required. Space is limited and your application does not guarantee acceptance. Applications are due by Monday, June 10 at 9am.

PRICE FREE (student who complete the program are eligible for a $500 stipend and qualify for service learning credit)

HOURS 9am—3pm (unless otherwise noted)

LOCATION Robert Morris University: 401 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60605

REQUIRED DATES

Sunday, June 2 at 9am OR Thursday, June 6 at 6pm (information session) at CAC, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Wednesday, July 10—Friday, July 19 (summer sessions; class does not meet on the weekend)

Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 2:30pm (Teen summer celebration)

Saturday, Oct. 12 (Open House Chicago training)

Saturday—Sunday, Oct. 19-20 (Open House Chicago weekend)

Saturday, Oct. 26 (digital check-in, as needed)

Saturday, December (teen programs showcase) date and time TBD

Click here for complete details on the CAC web site.

From the First Nations Film and Video Festival web site . . .

The mission of First Nations Film and Video Festival is to advocate for and celebrate the works of Native Americans filmmakers and new works and films that break racial stereotypes and promotes awareness of Native American issues. All films screened are written and/or produced and directed by Native American artists from the United States, Canada, Central and South America, and Mexico.

Spring 2019 FNFVF Schedule!

Bezazian Branch, Chicago Public Library, 1226 W Ainslie St, Chicago, IL 60640
Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Demon (6:02)
The Party’s Downstairs (27:32)
BULLDAWGS: The Emmanuel Boone Story (30:45)
Sidewalk Entrepreneurs (48:10)
Mahiganiec (5:29)
Total Program Time: 1:57:58

American Indian Center, 3401 W Ainslie
Thursday, May 2, 2019, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Visions Of A Kill Shot (17:40)
Warbonnet: An Odyssey of Honor (12:52)
Respect your elders, Chum. (6:55)
the team (1:00)
Two Brothers of Trouble (10:00)
Bad Medicine (7:55)
Hard Out (3:37)
In the Arms of Madness (20:30)
Gik:skwod: How I Lost My Indian Name (2:50)
Sapara Clothing: A Tradition in Danger (10:09)
Total Program Time: 1:33:28

University of Illinois Chicago-Latino Cultural Center 803 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL
Friday, May 3, 2019, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Visions Of A Kill Shot (17:40)
Self Portrait (3:15)
Postcards (3:20)
Haunted Cape Breton 2018 (18:02)
Onicka (1:42)
Buffalo Girl (Paskwâw Mostos Iskwêsis) (4:08)
Mockingbird (19:53)
Fire Ecology (24:40)
Gik:skwod: How I Lost My Indian Name (2:50)
Total Program Time: 1:35:30

University of Missouri Columbia, at Ragtag Cinema, 10 Hitt Street, Columbia, MO
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Protect Our Future Daughters (5:45)
Les vaillants (4:31)
Fire Ecology (24:40)
Gik:skwod: How I Lost My Indian Name (2:50)
Innu Nikamu (1:32:00)
MORE TO COME!
Total Program Time: 1:59:30

SISKEL CENTER – SCHOOL of the ART INSTITUTE CHICAGO
164 N State St, Chicago, IL
Sunday, May 5, 2019 – 8:00pm – 10:00pm
First Medicine; The long Man (14:26)
Gik:skwod: How I Lost My Indian Name (2:50)
Innu Nikamu (1:32:00)
Total Program Time: 1:49:16

Northwestern University, Graduate Lounge, 2122 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL
Monday, May 5, 2019, 7:00pm – Food, 7:30pm – Films!
Mishkeegogamang (30:00)
The hunter (5:26)
Idle No More (5:02)
Les vaillants (4:31)
Mahiganiec (5:29)
Mommy goes race (5:50)
Protect Our Future Daughters (5:45)
Protecting our Homeland (3:55)
So Alone (6:57)
Stage Name: Victoria (3:28)
The Choice (7:57)
Buffalo Girl (Paskwâw Mostos Iskwêsis) (4:08)
Total Program Time: 1:28:28

HARPIN ARTS CENTER, 2810 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm
THE ATTENDANT (5:28)
Thunderbird (2:59)
VOYEUR (12:00)
Sapara Clothing: A Tradition in Danger (10:09)
BLUFF (1:36:08)
Total Program Time: 2:06:04

CLAUDIA CASSIDY THEATER, 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 – 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Innu Nikamu (1:32:00)
Total Program Time: 1:32:00

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St. Evanston, IL
Thursday, May 9, 2019 – 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Silla (20:40)
Living Culture Speaking Truth (38:17)
Inuk Hunter (4:05)
Kuujjuaq (4:54)
Ka Ussi-Tshishkutamashuht (4:31)
Shiny Object (5:00)
Total Program Time: 1:17:27