Elements of the Parkland Gifted Program
- To expand and deepen student knowledge of content not ordinarily taught in the basic curriculum.
- To develop higher level thinking skills.
- To develop inquiry and research skills.
- To develop creativity.
- To improve the metacognitive processes. (Thinking about how one thinks.)
- To use learning strategies and a variety of different learning modalities that involve a high level of peer interaction.
Primary Enrichment Program (K- 2)
Kindergarten
I go into the kindergarten classes once every two weeks for half hour sessions. During that time I work with small flexible groups of children. My main goal in kindergarten is to observe and monitor students who might qualify for the enrichment program.
First and Second Grade
The first and second grade programs run differently than the other grades. I go into each first and second grade classroom for the first marking period for whole group enrichment. I see these students every week for 30 minute intervals. We usually do higher level thinking activities related to math. After the first marking period, I work with the students in small flexible groups. I work with them for 45 minute intervals once a week. I work with all identified gifted students and also students with high potential, who might qualify for the gifted program. The units we do usually focus on language arts or math.
Possible Units:
Students will:
Problem Solving
- complete a variety of matrix puzzles using deductive and inductive reasoning.
- create an original matrix puzzle for the class to try to solve.
Tangrams
- create geometric figures using tangram pieces (triangles, squares, rectangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms).
- recreate pictures using tangram pieces.
MicroWorlds
- become familiar with logo commands which move the turtle.
- recreate shapes using the commands.
- create their own original objects (ex. name, car, flower, etc.)
Poetry
- read a variety of poems
- share orally a favorite poem with the class.
- write different forms of poetry (acrostic, rhythm, shape, cinquain, diamantes, and ABC poems)
Creative Writing
- create original stories and illustrate them using story starters.
- type their original stories, using Storybook Weaver.
Research
- discuss different places and sources to locate research materials
- select a topic to research, which is related to the student’s regular class work (ex. dinosaurs, constellations, animals, etc.)
Third Grade Enrichment Program
The third grade enrichment program runs differently than the primary program. During these units, only identified gifted students are seen. I work with these students once a week for 2 hours. During the year, we focus on 2 main areas of study.
UNITS: Greek Mythology, Gadgets and Gizmos
Greek Mythology
Student will:
- gain a background on the ancient Greek Culture
- develop an information base about myths and mythological characters
- research a God/Goddess
- keep a journal of the myths we read with a summary of each one
- use higher level thinking skills to complete activities related to myths
- create an original myth
Links to Greek Mythology Web Sites:
Gadgets and Gizmos
Students will:
- discuss the inventive process and simple machines.
- use divergent thinking to complete activities related to reversing, designing, re-designing, improving and inventing
- research an inventor and his invention.
- create two inventions.
- Coat Hanger Invention
- Original Invention
Fourth Grade Enrichment Program
Fourth grade identified gifted students are seen once a week for 2 hours. During the year, we study a variety of units integrated across the curriculum.
Units:
Immigration
Students will:
- research the history of immigration
- study waves and patterns of immigration in America
- discuss the effects of immigration on Americ
- read If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island and keep an immigrant journal to be recorded in chapter by chapter
- research their family history, culture, and customs
Electricity and the Composition of Matter
Students will:
- gain a background on the composition of matter and create models of atoms
- learn to understand the Periodic Table of Elements
- create different types of electric circuits
- create an electricity project using an electric circuit
Geometry
Students will:
- discuss geometric terms
- inscribe shapes in a circle using a ruler and a compass (triangle, hexagon, square, octagon, and a pentagon)
- duplicate several designs and create two original designs
- be introduced to basic line-design techniques
Fifth Grade Enrichment Program
Fifth grade identified gifted students are seen once a week for 2 hours. During the year, we study a variety of units integrated across the curriculum.
Units:
Stock Market
Students will:
- learn stock market terminology
- participate in The Stock Market Game of PA and trade stocks for 10 weeks of competition
- keep a record of transactions and money earned each week
- research a corportation and create a PowerPoint Presentation
Voyage of the Mimi
Students will:
- simulate a whale expedition off the coast of Maine
- learn about different kinds of whales and their behaviors
- learn about various techniques oceanographers and marine biologists use to study the ocean and marine life
- be exposed to mapping and navigation skills
- research an ocean topic and present creatively
Decisions, Decisions
Students will:
- discuss different types of energy sources and chose one to research
- use critical thinking skills in groups to make decisions involving the handling of an energy crisis
- discuss reasoning behind decisions that were made and discuss the consequences of those actions