Creative Gifted Children with High Sensitivity (Excellent Article)

The Stargirl Society addresses the social/ emotional needs of gifted adolescent females.  Many of whom are highly sensitive.  Creative high school girls mentor sixth, seventh, and eighth grade middle school girls at risk of conforming to peer pressure and losing their creative spirit. High school Stargirl leaders teach them to value their creative gifts.  Engaging monthly meetings present strategies to help their younger counterparts value individualism. These high school leaders are excellent role models.

I recently read the article featured in this blog entry entitled Why Are So Many Gifted Children Also Highly Sensitive? by Lisa Natcharian.  In the article Lisa discusses how these children have the ability to understand the world more deeply and throughly than others.  I have observed this in my gifted students.  The article also discusses:

• Typical Signs of Sensitivity
• Benefits of Being Sensitive
• Difficulties of Being Sensitive

If you are interested, the article is published by the Institute for Educational Advancement:

               https://educationaladvancement.org/many-gifted-children-also-highly-sensitive/

Create a Stargirl Constitution

Creating a Constitution is an opportunity for any organization or classroom to discuss and think about their ideals and the fundamental principles that empower the members of their organization.  The Stargirl Constitution provides an example.  Inspire your students to write their own! 

The Constitution of Stargirls

Lucy Merriman, one of our Stargirl leaders designed this constitution.  It reflects the ideals we have identified through our discussions of themes in the Stargirl Book.

We, the Stargirls of Kent, Ohio, in order to form a more perfect middle school and someday, a more perfect world, enact this constitution:

1. RESPECT YOURSELF:  This means…

·      Don’t smoke, do drugs or anything harmful to your body.

·      If you are really sad or depressed, call a fellow Stargirl and tell her about it; let her help you.

·      Counter negative self thoughts with positive ones.

·      Avoid peer pressure.  Be true to yourself.

·      Go after your goals.

2. RESPECT YOUR PEERS:  This means…

·      Be responsible.  Let people know they can count on you.

·      Be a positive force in your school.  Start new clubs and support others.

·      Reach out to help others in a time of need.

·      Acknowledge the opinion of others even if their opinion is not the same as yours.

·      Be forgiving.  Give people second chances.

·      Don’t gossip about other girls, or guys for that matter.  Gossip is very hurtful.

·      Make new friends.

3. RESEPECT THE EARTH:  This means…

·      Recycle

·      Don’t litter

·      Be kind to animals.

·      Educate yourself about global issues such as endangered species and habitats.

·      Initiate community service projects both small and large.

Have your class create their own Constitution for your classroom or organization!  Here is a link with other examples on Pinterest.  
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/177188566562928757/?lp=true

A Stargirl Pledge!

Happy International Women's Day.  This seems like a perfect time to present the Stargirl Pledge.  Many of our outstanding women role models exemplify the characteristics described in the pledge written by our Stargirl Leaders.

Stargirl Sarah leads a discussion related to the Stargirl Pledge.  Middle school Stargirls submit questions before our meetings so the high school leaders can prepare with stories, guidance, and support.

SHOOTING STAR NEWSLETTER

STARGIRLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Would you like a copy of the February STARGIRL NEWSLETTER?  The theme of this Stargirl meeting was Entrepreneurship.  The three page newsletter includes the steps of creating an Entrepreneur Business Plan.  If you would like a copy just email: kathy.frazier1@gmail.com  

*A sample from page one of the newsletter:

         STARGIRLS

                             SHOOTING STAR NEWSLETTER

WE ARE EMPOWERED AND POISED

Thanks to a grant from the Young Entrepreneur Institute we were able to invite Leah Berdysz from “Empowered and Poised” for our February meeting. During the workshop, we learned her story about the challenges she faced growing up and how she became an entrepreneur. As she guided us through the creative problem solving process, we identified challenges and brainstormed solutions related to plastic and its effects on sea life. We learned how to create a Business Model Canvas. We will pursue our own entrepreneur venture related to creating an Empowered Girls Card Company at the next meeting.