Show Me the Funny: Quick Impromptu Brain Breaks Students Love

Here are three brain breaks I’ve used when I sensed the need for a little stress reduction. They help kids relax and usually induce some laughter, always a good thing in the classroom. QUESTION CONVO In this game, student pairs compete to keep a conversation going the longest. The catch is that the conversation must … Read more

Playing With Words ~ Language Levity for Little Scholars (K-2)

These activities complement The Primary Education Thinking Skills™ curriculum, in particular the thinking skills associated with Yolanda the Yarnspinner and Isabel the Inventor! If you use P.E.T.S., you might also enjoy the activities found HERE. These language and wordplay activities are perfect for small group instruction and will delight younger students. They also fit in beautifully … Read more

All the World’s a Stage ~ Spotlight Your Students’ Learning

If you’re looking for some new ways to showcase your students’ learning, whether on a bulletin board in the hallway, on a display out in the community, through a digital platform, or in a major showcase event, here are some ideas to consider. Posting student work for an audience beyond your classroom encourages students to … Read more

Planning for Gifted Students: the Work of “Reflective Artisans” and Lifelong Learners

I am desperate to tell you something. I don’t want to be misunderstood. Planning for gifted students is rewarding, fascinating, and challenging. On this site, I offer some ideas, some sample lessons, and even sample thematic plans. You can also find lists of many great resources for use in the classroom. My goal is to … Read more

Kid-Created Word Puzzles: FUN-damental Brainwork!

Teachers, if you cannot access the puzzles or tutorials, please contact your district about approving this website or access through a personal Gmail account. Even if you “request access,” some of the school servers block access. MESSAGE if you have a question! HERE’S A CHALLENGE! How many words with five or more letters can you … Read more

Team Logic: Cooperative Problem-Solving for 3rd and Up

This is one way you can shake up the routine in a gifted class! Logic problems, such as Perplexors and Math Perplexors, promote deductive reasoning. Students use information and resources to reach a conclusion, the “correct answer.” In a previous post, I described how I set up a logic center that allowed my students to … Read more