2024 IAGC Conference: Full Schedule

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10:15am CDT

Out-of-the-Box: Implementing Mystery as a Strategy to Engage Gifted Learners

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

How can we ignite curiosity and inquiry as a means to engage gifted/high-potential learners? This session will empower you with an evidence-based strategy that engages and challenges gifted learners through inquiry, advanced content, and abstract thinking. Come learn how to create ‘Mystery Box’ lessons, and have some fun along the way! (A complete social studies unit will be shared.)

Presenters

Dr. Vicki Phelps

Head of School, Quest Academy

Dr. Vicki Phelps is Head of School for Quest Academy. She has been involved in gifted education for over 25 years, including teaching and leading gifted services and serving as an assistant professor of education. She regularly keynotes and presents at gifted conferences and is the... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 266

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

10:15am CDT

Purposeful Activation of Metacognition in the Classroom

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Room 164

As educators, we aspire for our learners to become more knowledgeable and skillful. AND we also want to make them more self-aware of how they are thinking so that they can be more thoughtful, agile learners . This workshop explores how to directly teach the habit of thinking about your thinking. Brian will share instructional strategies such as checklists, self-talk, reflection, and self-assessment, to get students to tap into their thinking.

Presenters

Brian Horner

gifted education, Naperville District #203 / Kid Innovation College / Institute for Habits of Mind

Brian Horner is in his 27th year of education and currently teaches in the Project Idea Plus program for gifted students in Naperville District #203. He is the founder of Kid Innovation College which offers academic enrichment to students in the western suburbs of Chicago. In addition... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 164

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

10:15am CDT

Puzzlemania: 12 Great Puzzles to Challenge and Team-Build

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Room 166

Join us for a fun, interactive session jam-packed with engaging, challenging puzzles you can take home and use right away with your gifted students of almost any age. These complex puzzles, combined with proven strategies for developing students’ metacognitive skills, will fully engage your students, getting them to think in new ways. Plus, you'll learn why puzzles are so unique and effective at building both academic and social/emotional skills in gifted students.

Presenters

Leslie Kerner

Co-Founder, COO, Silverquicken Education, Inc.

Educator, curriculum designer, parent, and community builder, Leslie Kerner is the COO and co-founder of Silverquicken. She’s spent 20 years developing K-12 education products and services. At Amplify, she worked closely with teachers and administrators around the country to bring... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 166

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

11:15am CDT

Accessing High-End Differentiation to Access Meaningful Thinking

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 162

A basic toolbox of high-end differentiation strategies, schools can work toward common language and messaging, a universal set of strategies from which educators can grow, and better ensuring our brightest students are challenged in school. The toolbox shared has five components: Above-level, Anchor Experiences, Questioning, Research/Independent Project Experiences, and Thinking Mats. Much of the session will be devoted to using the Thinking Mat.

Presenters

Randy Lange

Professional Development and Curriculum Coordinator, University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center

Randy Lange, Ph.D., is the Professional Development & Curriculum Coordinator at the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa. Key areas he supports at the Center are AP Training, The Academy for Twice-Exceptionality, Honors Opportunity Program, and a variety of professional development... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

11:15am CDT

Dynamic Differentiation through Independent Research Projects: The I-LEARN Process

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 266

When done well, Independent Research Projects provide gifted/high-potential students with meaningful learning opportunities and create additional avenues for talent development, but how can they be intentionally developed and managed? The I-LEARN Process provides step-by-step procedures to individualize the research process for gifted students, while also integrating management techniques, reflective practice, and opportunities for sustained engagement and academic growth. Come learn more about this exciting and engaging instructional approach!

Presenters

Dr. Vicki Phelps

Head of School, Quest Academy

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 266

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

11:15am CDT

Teaching vs. Learning: Using Differentiation, Choice, & ELA Strategies to Learn

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 256

Purpose: Using differentiation with reading strategies (GIST, RAFT, PDQAR, DRTA, and Observation/Inference Chart), we will apply complex, authentic (real-world) texts and analyze ambiguous & abstract problems that allow students to cross discipline to solve the problem and comprehend. Got Grammar Problems? Session will include hands-on grammar activity using Legos to learn to write variety of sentences & understand parts of speech. Session will include student exemplars, graphic organizers & PowerPoint Presentation.

Presenters

Pam Peters

8th English Teacher/Reading Specialist & Adjunct ELA Professor, School District 128 Palos Heights & Trinity Christian College

I have been teaching for twenty-five years as an English teacher serving special education, regular education, and gifted education. I understand that education is not a one size fits all and believe in meeting students where they are so that they can achieve! I have my bachelor's... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 256

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

11:15am CDT

Thinking on Your Feet: Using BTC to Strengthen Mathematical Reasoning

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 166

Participants will learn how implementing the Building Thinking Classrooms teaching approach has transformed learning for all students in a sixth grade gifted math classroom. Through a culture of collaboration and inquiry, students learn to be resilient and adaptable learners. Come hear what students say about how their learning and understanding of math changed by collaborating and communicating with others in their classroom.BTC: Changing mathematical mindsets two feet at a time.

Presenters

Rita Laskonis

6th Grade Mathematics Teacher at Thurgood Marshall Gifted Academy, Rockford Public Schools

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 166

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

12:15pm CDT

How to promote and elicit students’ deep math knowledge

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Room 167

How well do your students understand the problem-solving processes they use in math? My district has developed a tool that allows students to demonstrate their understanding in four ways: by completing math operations, drawing diagrams, writing explanations, and finding an alternative way to solve a problem. I have found it especially helpful in the accelerated 4th/5th math sections I teach, where students often rely on algorithms rather than deep understandings of math.

Presenters

Beth Pauls

4th-5th Accelerated LA and Math, River Trails School District 26

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 167

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

12:15pm CDT

Vertical Differentiation: Strategies to Stretch Student Thinking

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Room 266

How do we guide students to “dig deeper” beyond surface-level learning? This session highlights the use of “stretch prompts” to stimulate and challenge gifted students in their learning. These strategies can be used as “vertical differentiation” to dial up instruction, assignments, and tasks to ignite inquiry and deeper learning. Learn to apply these ideas with concrete examples applied across various content areas and grade levels.

Presenters

Emily Mofield

Associate Professor of Education, Lipscomb University

Emily Mofield, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor in the College of Education teaching classes for the Doctor of Education Program and Gifted Education graduate studies. Her background includes teaching and leading gifted services in Tennessee. She is the co-author of several nationally... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 266

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Deepening Mathematical Thinking Through Problem-Based Learning

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT

Room 164

Are your students thinking critically about their mathematical learning? Are they discovering creative and effective solutions to meaningful, real-world problems? Studies have shown that most students in mathematical classes are mimicking what they have observed their teachers to do, rather than demonstrate independent understandings of mathematical skills. In this session, discover how problem-based learning assists gifted learners in building confidence, strengthens collaborative thinking strategies, and develops a meaningful and empathetic understanding of our diverse world.

Presenters

Lisa Packley

5th Grade Honors Teacher/ Instructional Technology Coach, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Lisa Packley is a 5th Grade Honors teacher with over 20 years of experience in the Plainfield School District. She assisted in the development and facilitation of the district's gifted program and currently also serves as an Instructional Technology Coach for grades K-5. Lisa is deeply... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 164

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Feature Films in the Gifted Classroom

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT

Room 162

Are you conflicted about the place that feature films have the gifted classroom? If you’re worried about the condescending glances from the teacher across the hall or simply unsure about the way to integrate a film into your curriculum, use adaptation theory to enhance your students' understanding of a novel and give them a new lens with which to see the work. Three unit plans featuring Emma, Forrest Gump, and Mean Girls will be presented.

Presenters

Laura Gilbert

Teacher, Lockport Township H.S.

Dr. Laura Gilbert has spent the last 26 years teaching everything from Freshman English to College Writing. Along the way she earned a Masters Degree in Literature and Film Criticism from Northern Illinois University. That coursework led her to write her dissertation on the cinematic... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Become a Better Writer and Teacher of Narrative Writing

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 265

All students deserve to acquire writing skills. Teachers are ill-prepared to teach writing. I will demonstrate how to write narrative and how to teach writing so learner's skills are improved. Teachers, themselves, will model their thinking, decision-making, and writing for their students. Then students will be supported to follow the process with their teacher as a coach. As teachers become comfortable writing and sharing their personal experiences, relationships, and classroom community will grow.

Presenters

Julie Bradshaw

This is my 29th year in SD129. I am currently a third grade teacher at Fearn. I have taught 4th and 5th grades as well as served as a staff developer and gifted coordinator. Both of my children graduated from West High and I continue to live in Aurora. Lately I've been teaching classes... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 265

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Building Communities of Practice Across Classrooms, Schools, and Even Countries

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 266

Come learn how to create online spaces that help students understand their own talents and how those talents live in our world. Learn how to build online communities, create a culture of discourse, and connect students to both world renowned thinkers and change makers in their own communities through developing personal leadership projects.

Presenters

Rashida Clark

Assistant Coordinator, Online Programs, Northwestern University Center for Talent Development

An accomplished educator with demonstrated ability to consistently maintain excellent relations with students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Management and development of core essentials and enrichment online courses for grades Pre-K-8. Self-motivated with strong planning... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 266

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Integrating Science and ELA to Enrich Advanced Learners

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 101C

Streaming / Virtual Session
The purpose of this session is to show teachers and administrators the importance of integrating science and English language arts (ELA) to enrich the curricula for all learners but especially for advanced students. Using novels, informational texts, poetry, short stories, fairy tales, and folk tales, participants learn how to easily create their own hands-on lessons from kindergarten – 12th grade which effectively integrate science and ELA.

Presenters

Dr. Tara Kristoff

Director for Equity and Justice, Northern Illinois University

As a teacher and as an educational administrator, Dr. Tara Kristoff’s focus is always on doing what is best for children and making education accessible to all families. She collaborates with all stakeholders to create and to revise preschool – 12 curricula in all academic disciplines... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 101C

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction