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☃️ January ☃️
Happy New Year! Kick it Off with “Time and Date” Patterns and Puzzles and Calendar Riddles! (blog post/ links to “a riddle within a puzzle,” video lessons, and more)
Dashing Through the Snow VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT (free) kids learn some geography on this global hunt for clues using the web version of Google Earth.
January Mad Gabs® – share a few and then have students try to create one!
Winter-Themed Mad Gabs – (free) slide deck guessing game (make a copy)
New Year’s Progressive Puzzle (TPT – $2) ~ 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one.
Gnome for the Holidays ~ A Creative Writing Project for Any Season
Jump-Starts and Joyful Sparks ~ Fresh Ideas for January (blog post)
New Year’s Traditions – free logic puzzle (4th and up) HERE is a logic puzzle video tutorial with the solution.
365 Days of Learning ~ Gifted Facilitator Krista True created this wonderful Canva resource that connects learning to each day of the year!
January Choice Board ~ a collection of ideas for the entire month with coding classes, STEM challenges, and more. Created by librarian Shannon Miller (@shannonmiller)
Snowflake Sudoku – includes this video tutorial and sample puzzles
Fibbing Can Be Fun! ~ Celebrating Fibonacci Day – (Nov. 23rd but – if you missed it – Jan. 12th is an alternative)
3 Activities for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (Ian Byrd / 3rd and up)
January 25th is National Opposite Day! ~ poetry, irony, riddles, math patterns, and more
Winter STEM Challenges (Kinder- 5th / TPT $8.00)
💖 February 💖
Groundhog Day Word Ladder ~ generously shared by Dr. Tim Rasinksi of Kent State University
February Holiday Resources – Engage Their Minds (Terri Eichholz)
Super Bowl Math – Brainteasers, Critical Thinking – from Stress-Free Math for Kids ~K and up
More Super Bowl / Groundhog Day Activities – from Yummy Math ~grade levels vary
100th Day Letter Equation Puzzle (free) – grades 3 and up
100th Day of School (Mensa for Kids – all ages)
STEM for the 100th Day of School (TPT – free; for K – 3)
Valentine Hex-Doku (Hexagonal Sudoku) Puzzle – solved like Snowflake Sudoku; subscribe or request an answer key HERE
Mini-Mystery Progressive Puzzle: “Vengeance for Victims of a Valentine Vandal” – a fun Valentine puzzle set based on an actual crime! 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one (TPT – $2).
Valentine Cryptograms (1st and up- free)
Operation Valentine (kids use knowledge of electric circuits to create a game/toy)
Valentines with an Academic Twist (Ian Byrd / adaptable for use with 3rd – 8th)
Valentine’s Day Letter Tower Puzzle – (free; grades 3 and up) request answer here
Valentine’s Day Word Ladder – generously shared by Dr. Tim Rasinski of Kent State University
Cupid and the Bees: Asking and Evaluating Questions ~(by Think Law ~ TPT $2 for K-1st)
Virtual Valentines (read about my friend’s experience doing this with her 1st grade GT class)
Valentine Day Sudoku (TPT free)
Would You Rather (Valentine-themed) ~ (from “Engage Their Minds” ~ Terri Eichholz)
Five Valentine Persuasive Writing Lessons Based on Real-Live Legal Cases ~ (by Think Law TPT $5 for Grades 6-8)
Cardioids – Valentine-inspired math (just for fun- STEM Challenge)
Valentine’s Day Resources and Ideas (Engage Their Minds) – Terri Eichholz shares all kinds of great ways to celebrate the day with gifted students.
Learn the Presidents (a challenge for kids of all ages to celebrate Presidents’ Day)
Celebrate Leap Year– resources to use once every four years!
🍀 March 🍀
Celebrate Pi Day in a Novel Way ~ a few new ideas, with links to many free resources
Pilish ~ write poetry and phrases in this style of writing: the digits of π determine the number of letters in consecutive words/ free TPT slide deck and student sheets here.
Pi Day Sudoku (TPT free)
Pi Day Fun (Mensa for Kids – varying activities for different levels)
Celebrate Pi Day (Mashup Math)- infographic and 10 Fun Facts (video)
March Holiday Resources ~ Engage Their Minds (Terri Eichholz)
Academic March Madness (Ian Byrd / adaptable for use with 4th – 8th)
Brain Awareness Week (third week of March ~ see this blog post for ideas)
St. Patrick’s Day Progressive Puzzle ~ (TPT-$2 – Gr. 3-8) 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one. This one ends with a hidden word hunt.
St. Patrick’s Day Hex-doku (Hexagonal Sudoku Puzzle) – solved like Snowflake Sudoku; more information and puzzles HERE. Subscribe or request an answer key HERE
Mega St. Patrick’s Day Activity Pack (TPT – Gifted Guru)
St. Patrick’s Day Sudoku (TPT – $1.00)
☔️ April ☔️
Spring Daisies Hex-Doku (Hexagonal Sudoku Puzzle) – more information and puzzles HERE
Surprise Ending: Lesson With a Twist ~ a fun lesson for April Fool’s Day (Gr. 5-8)
April Fool’s Day Progressive Puzzle (TPT-$2)- 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one. It includes the history and holiday’s origin and incorporates a practical joke!
A Brief History of April Fool’s Day
5-Minutes Film Festival: April Fool’s Day
April 8th TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE – a mini think-a-thon, eclipse simulators, and more
April Events and Holidays (ENGAGE THEIR MINDS- Poetry Month, Library Month, and more!)
Any Bunny for Hex-Doku? – solved like Snowflake Sudoku; more information and puzzles HERE. Subscribe or request an answer key HERE
Easter Creative Thinking Packet (TPT-$2.00)
🌼🌸 May 🌼🌸
Think-a-Thon ~ Outdoor Field Day for Scholars
“Sand-tastic” Beach Theme Day or Mini-Unit to End the Year
Mini-Olympiad – Academic Field Day ~ a simpler version of the Think-a-Thon
End-of-Year Letters and Reflecting on the School Year
Oh, The Places You May Go! ~ (free) virtual scavenger hunt via Google Earth
May the 4th Be With You – Star Wars-themed teaching ideas from Tech & Learning
On the Hunt for Amazing Beach Wildlife ~ Another VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT
Last Days of School Progressive Puzzle (TPT-$2 / grades 3-8) – A progressive puzzle is a set of 4 puzzles ~ each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one.
The Last Days of School ~ Celebrate, Create, and Reflect!
Mini-Mystery Progressive Puzzles ~ (TPT $2) students can solve in pairs and race to be first!
End-of-Year Ideas and Activities ~ (Engage Their Minds) -a fantastic collection!
A Surprise Ending (ENGAGE THEIR MINDS blog post with end-of-year activity ideas)
End of the Year Depth & Complexity Venn Diagrams ~ (TPT $2 by Gifted Guru)
Mathematical Art Lessons ~ (Artful Maths) – use any time but a panacea for tired students!
🕶☀️ June ~ July 🏖🌴
Three R’s for a Teacher’s Summer ~ Habits of Happy Teachers
Summer Share & Tell ~ Better Than a Book Study?
Our Facebook PLN – join us!
🍎 August ~ September 📓
| Be sure to check out the Bulletin Board page and get some tips for quick and easy wall displays in Learning Off-the-Wall ~ 7 Things You Can Quickly Put Up that Enhance Learning |
Back-to-School Progressive Puzzle (TPT-$3.00) ~ 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one. This one ends with your choice of three welcome back messages.
Sneak Preview ~ Activities to Share With Students Before Class Begins
Icebreakers and Jitter Shakers ~ First-Day Activities to Create Community
Welcome Back Paired Puzzle – solve the first puzzle in order to solve the second one
Icebreakers that Rock ~ from Jennifer Gonzales / great for secondary students)
Impossible Challenges (several first-day hands-on challenges)
First Day of School Ideas ~ icebreakers, bell ringers, and more by Sarah Young
Back to School ~ A Few Ideas to Surprise and Delight (blog post)
Back-to-School Resources and Ideas (Engage Their Minds)
International Dot Day (Sept. 15ish) – “dotty brainwork” featured on this website
365 Days of Learning ~ Gifted Facilitator Krista True created this wonderful Canva resource that connects learning to each day of the year!
Back-to-School S.C.A.M.P.E.R (TPT – free)
Back-to-School First Day of GT (Kindergarten / additional grade levels in progress)
GT Morning Work Year-Long Bundle (TPT) ~ by Colleen Patton for grades 2 – 4
September Brain Benders (TPT – free)
September Holidays and Resources (Engage Their Minds)
🎃 October 🎃
Pumpkin Hexagonal Sudoku (free) – video tutorial and more explanation here
Powers of Ten Day – October 10th / free lessons and activities
Power of Ten Day Question Trail (free) – classroom activity
Power Struggle Math Game (exponents)- created for Powers of Ten Day
October Progressive Puzzle (TPT – $2.00) – 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one. This one ends with a presentation of “tricks with treats.”
Stolen Art / Magical Media Project inspired by THE SCREAM
“Trick or Treat” MAD GABS® – Interactive word game
Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Depth, Mystery, and Magic for October ~ lessons across disciplines
Mini-Mystery Progressive Puzzle – TPT – $2.00) – 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one. This one can be done any time of year- it’s a “crack the case” problem-solving set.
Diving into “The Skater at Ghost Lake”– a rich poetry reading with hands-on activity and ready-to-share slide deck.
Halloween Paired Puzzle (free) – read more here
Halloween Depth and Complexity Ready-to-Use Activities (Gifted Guru TPT- $3.00)
Witches Brew STEM Challenge (TPT – free)
Harrowing Halloween Handicrafts (Mensa for Kids)
Halloween Paper Circuits (STEM)
Halloween Characters Dressed as Characters (Byrdseed)
Halloween Exploration Ideas (Byrdseed)
Halloween Videos– a collection at one link by The Kid Should See This
Halloween SCRATCH lesson (coding) ~ Spooky Clones ~ with video tutorial (free)
The Science of Candy (Mensa for Kids)
🥧 November 🦃
Veterans Day Guessing Game and Logic Puzzle (free) ~ request answer key here
Tom Turkey’s Tricky Thanksgiving Analogies (free) ~ request answer key here
Turkey Hex-Doku (free) – request answer key here / video tutorial and more explanation here
Design an Original Macy’s Parade Balloon! – created by Nadine Gilkison – link updated
Thanksgiving Depth and Complexity Activities (Gifted Guru- TPT $5.75)
The Science of Gratitude ~ Design Your Own Thanksgiving Challenge
12 Thanksgiving Math Activities (for Grades 1-8) – by Mashup Math – freely shared!
Remix Poetry: Christmas to Thanksgiving (Byrdseed)
Fibbing Can Be Fun! ~ Celebrating Fibonacci Day – (Nov. 23rd)
Free Logic Puzzle ` “Porch Pirate Plot” – elimination logic with a holiday shopping theme
November / Thanksgiving Activities for GT students ~Terri Eichholz ~ Engage Their Minds)
Thanksgiving Logic Puzzle (7th grade and up -TPT $3.50)
🎁 December🎄
“The Grinch Who Stole a Christmas Star” ~ A Holiday Heist – upper elementary MYSTERY/ VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT
December Progressive Puzzle – Who Got Which Gift? – ($2 TPT) – 4 puzzles in 1 / each puzzle solution is needed to solve the next one. Students solve to sort out the results of a gift exchange among six friends.
‘Tis the Season Mad Gabs® (Free) – interactive word play
3-D Coded Snow Globes: A Colorful and Musical Holiday Project!
Gnome for the Holidays ~ A Creative Writing Project for Any Season
Holiday Tree Hex-Doku (free) – video tutorial and more explanation here
The 12 Days of Christmas Math Activities (3rd and up / worth reading through the ads!)
Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas ~ A Marble Design Challenge
“A Visit from St. Nicholas” ~ Lessons Across Disciplines – a deep dive into this classic
Dashing Through the Snow Virtual Scavenger Hunt (free) kids learn some geography on this global hunt for clues using the web version of Google Earth.
Santa, I Can Explain ~ A Creative Writing Project (guest blog post by Kaley Chick)
Free Logic Puzzle ` “Porch Pirate Plot” – elimination logic with a holiday shopping theme
Trapped in a Snow Globe – (green screen / student videos) ~ Incorporate depth and complexity using Terri Eichholz’s snow globe lesson ideas found here and here.
Winter-Themed Guessing Game – (free) slide deck with Mad-Gab style phrases (make a copy)
Christmas Activity Pack ~ Depth & Complexity by Lisa Van Gemert / (TPT $4.95)
Case of the Christmas Cookie Mystery ~ a forensic science lab experiment
Scrooge’s Escape: A Christmas Escape Room Activity (4th and 5th / TPT $5.50)
Sierpinski Christmas Trees ~ More Sierpinski Christmas Trees!
Byrdseed ~ Ideas for December ~ several fantastic ideas for December activities
Fractal Christmas Cutout Cards ~ follow directions, but use red and green paper!
Snowflake Sudoku – includes this video tutorial and sample puzzles
The 12 Days of Christmas (tied to Pascal’s Triangle and Fibonacci)
A Classic Read-Aloud ~ “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
Hour of Code – held in December each year / register HERE
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