In the course of the three day conference, there were over 30 individual sessions and three keynote speakers. Among the topics explored were instruction and assessment for high ability learners, differentiated instruction, curriculum development, enriching middle school mathematics, and crafting young writers. The Cabin John staff members were able to fan out and seize most of the opportunities available to conference attendees. They were able to recognize that, although it was a conference for gifted education, the strategies and skills could inherently be applied, adapted, enhanced, and amended to engage and enliven all classroom instruction. Staff was taught how to use concept development to elevate ideas and allow students to see different relationships and new attributes when organizing their thinking.
Language is a manifestation of the mind and a medium for the mind.
Grammar is a way of thinking about language and can be taught so it is meaningfully retained. Sandra Kaplan, University of California educator, suggested a method to achieve and integrate the dimension of depth and complexity into the core curriculum that will ignite learners. The overarching message of the conference was that educators must teach childre how to think and question, fail and succeed.