If you see some ideas you can use, check out the links at the bottom of the post. A big thanks to Taylor H., Stefanie S., and Laura S. for sharing their organizing tips! If you’d like to add to these ideas, send me a message! I’m also already working on a Part Two that … Read more
The prompt you see here is one of many creative ideas shared on social media recently by the Tennessee Association for the Gifted (TAG). Have you seen them? Teachers are LOVING them, and so am I, and I wanted to learn more about the team producing them. It turns out, a vast majority of the … Read more
“I’m finished! What should I do now?” It’s the inevitable question in every classroom. And our response reflects our philosophy. So, a little bit about that first. A LITTLE PHILOSOPHY ~ WHAT ARE WE ABOUT? One of our primary goals to model a love of learning. So, when a first-grader has just discovered that cows … Read more
These engaging and mind-expanding videos are all less than 6 minutes in length and can be used anytime to spark imagination and conversation. I’ve included a few presentations, too, and all are tied to lessons and projects on the website. To see how you might use these in learning activities, click on the “more here” … Read more
I’m excited to share this bundle, just in time for SPRING! It will soon be part of a larger unit for 2nd or 3rd grade, but can stand alone as a mini-unit. You can find this bundle of activities HERE. ZOO SCAVENGER HUNT. This is an offline scavenger hunt, a simulated excursion to Taronga Zoo … Read more
If you’ve never heard of KENNINGS, let me introduce you! A kenning is a literary device in which TWO WORDS are used to describe or name something. A compound word or pair of words is used as a poetic substitution for a noun. Here are some examples of KENNINGS: There is an interesting history behind … Read more
For even more inspiration and encouragement, read “this related post, Teachers With a Design Mindset, and join the SHARE and TELL conversations in our Facebook group! Thank you for all you do for students! January is an ideal time to get your kids excited about a meaningful project that contributes to the school or community, something they … Read more
Have you ever considered creating a choice board of contest entries and creative submissions? Recently, I was updating and revising this list of Contests and Competitions, and it brought back memories of years when my students went crazy submitting things to kids’ magazines and contests. They worked on these mini-projects during Genius Hour or as … Read more
A few years back, around this time of year, I saw the tweet below. I felt so validated because Lisa Van Gemert is an icon in gifted education, and I couldn’t agree more with her on this! “I’m concerned by the tweets and posts I’m seeing about how teachers are spending a couple of weeks … Read more
Tiffany O’Connell teaches elementary GT students in Hutto, Texas. She and I have corresponded for years, and last December, I finally met Tiffany and her wonderful team at the TAGT Conference. I’ve been so impressed by her dedication to students and with the questions and feedback she sends my way. In her last email to … Read more
