Metro Nashville Public Schools

News from the GATE District Office

Creativity is an essential skill in today’s world as it drives innovation, problem-solving, and adaptability in an ever-evolving landscape. GATE classes support students’ creativity and provide ample opportunities to expand their thinking or try on different points of view. Creative projects allow students to express and make meaning of their learning in multiple ways.

Supporting creative thinking in children is a collaboration between school and home. Read below for several ways caregivers can support creativity at home.

• Encourage Curiosity: Foster an environment where asking questions is welcomed. Encourage your child to explore their interests and seek answers.

• Provide Resources: Offer a variety of materials such as books, art supplies, and educational toys that stimulate creativity.

• Create a Safe Space: Allow your child to experiment and make mistakes without fear of criticism. This builds confidence and resilience.

• Engage in Creative Activities: Participate in activities like drawing, storytelling, or building projects together. This not only supports creativity but also strengthens your bond.

GATE Curriculum Corner

Getting a child to share what they’re learning in GATE class can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.

Discussion Starters

• K- Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS
  Critical Thinking Curriculum)
  Who is Dudley?
  What does a detective do?
  How are you like a detective?

• 1-2nd Grade- Buzzing A Hive
  Tell me how bees are not all the same.
  How does a honeybee’s body shape
  determine how it works in the hive?

• 3-5th Grade- Building Big
  What makes a structure strong and
  stable?
  How does the engineering design process
  affect structures?

• 6th: Utopia and The Mysteries of History
  What is utopia?
  How does SPICE relate to the concept of
  utopia?

• 7-8th: The Pursuit of Justice
  What is justice?
  Does justice mean the same thing for all
  people, in all situations, at all times?

Getting To Know Your Gifted Child

Does your 9-year-old solve complex math problems, discuss advanced scientific concepts, but struggles to make friends or work in groups? Perhaps your 5-year-old can read at a 5th grade level, but she can’t dress herself independently.
This mismatch between advanced intellectual abilities and
developmental skills in areas like self-care and emotional control are examples of asynchronous development.

This concept refers to the uneven growth of cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities. While your child may excel intellectually, they might struggle with emotional regulation or social interactions. Recognizing these disparities can help you better support their unique needs and foster their overall development.

Many Ages at Once | Psychology Today
Executive Functioning and Gifted Children - Davidson Institute

Upcoming Opportunities

Explore With A Naturalist
Warner Park Nature Center
October 5, 2024 10:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tween Writing Workshop with Author Caroline Dubois
Nashville Public Library- Madison Branch
Wednesday, October 16, 2024