Learning Styles

     Last Friday in ROGATE, we took two tests to determine how we learn and what intelligences we have.   These are the results.
     The first test was the Gregorc Learning/Teaching Styles test.  Its results tell us who we are and how we learn.  I tested into the concrete random group.  This means I am independent, creative, a risk-taker, unusual, an experimenter, inventive, a problem solver, curious, investigative, and intuitive.  All of these apply to who I am, except for the creative one.  I have no idea how I came up with creative in my results.  Anyway, the test also lists how I learn.  Apparently I learn best with:

• Games and simulation
• Problem solving
• Creating products
• Independent study
• Experiments
• Unusual solutions
• Options
• Open-ended work
• Practical ideas
• Few restrictions

     Again, all of these apply, although I am not the best at creating things unless given exact instructions.
     The second test was the Gardner Multiple Intelligences test.  The results tell us where our true intelligences lie.  I tested into four groups.  They are logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, and interpersonal.  I also was strong in the spatial category.  These all make sense for me, except for the musical one.  While I play the piano, I have a hard time being enthusiastic about Mozart, and it might kill me to sit through a long opera.
     I think that if Steve Jobs had taken the Gregorc test, he would have tested into the abstract random group or the concrete sequential group.  This is because he was imaginative enough to create Apple and most of it's products, and he was practical enough to design and make products that would be useful to other people.  If Carli Lloyd took the Gardner test, she probably would have tested into the bodily-kinesthetic group.  You have to be athletic to score four goals in Olympic soccer.
     This is how I learn and where my intelligence is the strongest.  This is what I think the reults would be if these people had taken these two tests.  Thank's for reading!

The Ups and Downs, Myths and Truths of Being Gifted

     There are ups and downs to everything.  Ups and downs to being young, ups and downs or being an adult, and ups and downs of being popular.  But what are the ups and downs of being gifted?
     One of the ups is that it sets you apart.  www.ngac.org  says that gifted kids make up around 6% of the student population.  People find it cool when they know someone unusual.  The downside of this is that people think you are perfect.  They set very high expectations, and when you don't do well on a test, or anything else, they are disappointed.  This is because they think, "That person is gifted.  They know things few people do, and they should definitely ace the test."   I'll tell you I hate this.  It puts a lot of stress on you.  Another up is that you may have more privileges.  People trust smart people.  This is a downer though, too.  People also trust you to do favors for them.  At my old school, we had a special needs girl in my class.  I was the one the teacher called on to help her, so when I was helping her, I was getting behind.  The teacher would then say, "Megan, why are you not done?" I was so frustrated. 
     As with most things, there are myths and truths to being gifted.  One myth is that gifted kids are perfect.  People think we can handle anything.  The truth to this is gifted kids often go through asynchronous development.  That's some big word the Columbus Group came up with.  This means our maturities are not in sync.  Who watched the synchronized diving in the Olympics?  Gifted kids would be terrible at that. Our physical, emotional, intellectual, and social maturities progressing at the same rate.  Divers need to do everything at the same rate.  An example of this is lunch.  You are sitting around a table with all your friends, and you start talking like a nerd before you realize this may scare people.  Your intellectual and social maturities are asynchronous.  Okay, enough with the big words.  Another myth is that gifted kids are small, vulnerable nerds with giant glasses.  The only truth in this is that we are vulnerable to dumbing ourselves down.  I warn you NEVER DO THIS OR YOU WILL BE ARRESTED BY MS. MYSTRENA!  Anyway, we are not small or weak.  
     Sounds confusing?  It's not, just do not make assumptions about us.  I mean, how would you like it if someone thought you were small and scrawny just because you're smart?  GO NERDS!!
 

All About Me

     Hi ROGATE!  My name is Megan.  I am in 8th grade at Northern Burlington Regional Middle School.  My favorite subjects are ROGATE, math, and PE.  I like to learn about how things work and what is going on in the world. 
     In my free time, I like to do anything involving sports, going to the beach, and traveling.  I also like to surf.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE soccer and lacrosse, and my favorite time during the week is sports practice. I also LOVE to read.  The Hunger Games is the best!  One more of my favorite things to do is play outside.  I enjoy getting dirty, playing manhunt, and climbing trees. :) 
     When I grow up, I don't know what I want to do.  I am torn between three different careers.  These are professional athlete, orthopeadic specializing in sports injuries, and production designer.  
     What makes me happy? A lot of things do.  Some of these things are my family, my dog, sports, reading, and music.  When I am frustrated about anything, for some reason going for a run makes me feel better.  When I need to relax, I read a book or listen to my iPod.  My dog or my family always seem to work the best though.  My dog does so many stupid things, I can't help not laughing at her.  

    This is all about me.  Thanks for reading!