2024 IAGC Conference: Full Schedule

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

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

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

Bumping Up English Language Arts

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

Room 266

How can you add rigor to student learning in English Language Arts? How can we make sure advanced English Language Arts classes are truly advanced? What does it mean to develop expertise in Language Arts? Learn to apply easy-to-use models to develop tiered assignments, projects, and tasks to ensure gifted and advanced students are challenged.

Presenters

Emily Mofield

Associate Professor of Education, Lipscomb University

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

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

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

10:15am CDT

Encouraging Intellectual Curiosity Using Picture Books with Young Advanced Literacy Learners.

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Room 266

In this book rich presentation, we will explore the many ways that picture books can challenge our advanced, accelerated, and young literacy learners. Among the topics discussed in the session we will exam books using the "whole book approach,” as well as a look at picture books that are categorized as metafictive. This type of picture book provides a challenging break from the traditional narrative structures using alternative constructs to challenge the reader and budding writers as well as provide a model for critical/creative thinking, perspective, and point of view.

Presenters

Laura Beltchenko

Consultant, Lake County ROE

Laura Beltchenko is a 34 year veteran educator. Her career in public education included classroom teacher, reading specialist, teacher and coordinator of gifted education programs as well as an associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for a Chicago suburban school district... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 266

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

11:15am CDT

Using the Question Formulation Technique (QFT to Foster Student Thinking and Collaboration.

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 266

The Question Formulation Technique provides a structured approach to assist students in asking questions not just answering them. QFT works in concert with inquiry-based learning and promotes learning engagement and meaningful discussion. QFT initiates the development of topical or thematic thought-provoking questions that provide a basis for instruction. This method supports critical and creative thinking and fosters students natural curiosity, motivation and engagement in learning. It is an excellent strategy for social studies and science studies for K-12 grade students. This will be a fast moving interactive session so get ready to collaborate.

Presenters

Laura Beltchenko

Consultant, Lake County ROE

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 266

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

12:15pm CDT

Doable Differentiation (with AI and Beyond!)

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Room 266

Learn how to leverage AI technology in addition to your own creative and critical thinking to efficiently (and effectively) differentiate for advanced learners - and enjoy the process!

Presenters

Lindsay Sudol

Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning, East Maine School District 63

Hello everyone! I am a current IAGC board member with over 18 years of experience teaching and learning from gifted and advanced learners. My curiosity about the art and science of learning - as well as my passion for positive psychology - drives much of my work in this field. I am... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 266

Effective Use of Technology

1:30pm CDT

Riding Out the Storm: Managing Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students

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

Room 266

Gifted and twice-exceptional individuals are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity. These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, their peers, parents, teachers, and community supports. This session will focus on the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional intensity and give concrete, accessible techniques that will allow for the development of self-regulation skills.

Presenters

Matt Zakreski

Psychologist, The Neurodiversity Collective

Matthew "Dr. Matt" Zakreski, PsyD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with neurodivergent (gifted, 2e, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc.) people and has presented over 300 times all over the country and internationally.

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

Social-Emotional Learning and Support, Parent-Focused

2:30pm CDT

Compassion, Motivation, and Poise: Building Social-Emotional Skills in Gifted Student

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 266

Take away practical daily lessons and structure to efficiently build social emotional skills and community with gifted students. These lessons may be used in individual, small group, or whole group both in-person or remote-learning environments. This daily plan was born from the marriage of research with the demanding experience of teaching during the pandemic.

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 →

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

Social-Emotional Learning and Support, Parent-Focused