PALS

ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES
FOR PARENT GROUPS

 Consider asking the school district, local for-profit learning center, or local businesses or colleges to co-sponsor these activities. Saturday and after-school classes can actually be fundraising activities for your group.

 (send us your successful ideas: pals222@aol.com )

PARENT WORKSHOP AND MEETING TOPICS 

• Hot Topic Update
• Nature and Needs of Gifted (Gifted 101)
• Preventing Underachievement
• The Middles School/Adolescent Gifted Student
• Gifted Girls
• The Twice Exceptional Child: Gifted and LD
• Parenting Culturally Diverse Gifted Learners
• Developing Creativity
• Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
• College Comes Sooner Than You Think
• Exemplary Gifted Program Options and Services
• Homeschooling Your Gifted Child

PRODUCTS AND PROJECTS 

• Newsletter with enrichment ideas, calendar, best practices, and tips for parenting gifted and able learners.
• Summer Opportunities Guide
• Parent Handbook
• Bibliographies for Parents
• Bibliographies for Students
• Mentoring Program
• Preparing for College Handbook
• Resource Directory
• Establish a Speaker's Bureau
• Create a Lending Library

EVENTS

• Orientation for parents of newly staffed students
• Technology Fair
• Resource Fair
• Summer Opportunities Fair
• End of the Year Student Product Showcase
• Kidscon (conference for kids and parents)
• Teacher Appreciation Function

 OUT-OF-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS 

• Super Saturday Science Class
• After-school Art, Computer, Language Classes
• Behind the Scenes at an orchestra performance or nature center
• Classes to Develop Leadership Skills: Young Leaders Program
• Family Library Nights or Family Computing Nights
• Family Go-see Field Trips to Science Centers, Art Centers, places of interest
• A class or event on any topic of interest to gifted students

 STUDENT INTEREST CLUBS AND CONTESTS Computer Astronomy Chess Environmental Archeology, Fossils Humor, Comedy Music Dance, Theater Rocketry Stamps Math

IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS/PRACTICES/CONTESTS

(Parent groups might sponsor these or encourage their child's school or district to establish these packaged programs.) 

• Odyssey of the Mind
• Future Problem Solving Program
• Junior Great Books
• FutureThink (Florida curriculum for gifted students. May be obtained by contacting your local FDLRS office within your school district.)
• EPGY Distance Learning Program for gifted students, beginning with K-8 math and going through higher level math, physics, and writing courses. Offered jointly by Stanford and Johns Hopkins Universities

 MISCELLANEOUS 

• Establish a scholarship fund for teachers of the gifted to attend conferences and training opportunities.

• Establish a mini-grant for teachers to use to implement an innovative program or activity in their classroom.

• Establish a scholarship fund for needy students to attend special summer learning camps.

• Help establish a "Saturday Assessment Center" to speed up the    identification process