January GT Newsletter
January Project Based-Learning and Genius Hour!
Project-Based Learning and Genius Hour
This month we are continuing our Project-Based Learning (PBL). We introduced this in November and you can either continue a project that you have already started or you can start something fresh and new. Students can choose a project that is interesting to them and explore it in more depth through creative inquiry. We had a lot of fabulous projects submitted last year during our PBL Showcase. You can review the newsletter from last year to see what students have created in the past.
First, you will choose a project, then you will create your project, and then you will have an opportunity to showcase your work.
You will want to choose a project that is special and unique to you and your interests. This should be something that gets you out of bed in the morning because you are so excited about working on it. Is there something that you want to learn more about? Do you have an individual interest that you would like to focus on?
• Take a look at this video about “genius hour” and some of the cool ideas that you could use for your project: https://safeYouTube.net/w/tj4s
• Your project can be ANYTHING you want it to be!
• Writing (blogs, novels, writing contest, etc…)
• Video (script writing, video creation, video editing, etc…)
• Audio ( music writing, performing, editing, mixing, audio podcasts, etc..)
• Coding (learn code, write code, create a game, create a website, create an app, etc..)
• Art (create an art portfolio, a painting, drawings, crafts, etc..)
• Engineering (Mechanical, electrical, construction, etc…)
• Design Thinking (Solve a problem and serve your community – see below)
• Science Experiments (Science experiments can move on to the Tulsa Regional Science Fair and compete at higher levels if placed)
You can also choose to create a project that helps other people or those in your community. This is called “Design Thinking”
· Video about Design Thinking: https://safeyoutube.net/w/Ir4s
· Check out this video about students that used their talents to help others: https://safeYouTube.net/w/xdcu
PBL Resources:
- Project-Based Learning Activities
- Project-Based ToolBox
- Exploring PBL, what is it and how to get started.
Student Spotlights
Kennadi
Avery
GT Program: "I like the aspect of getting to know other people best."
OVCA: We chose OVCA for the small class sizes, quiet and safe atmosphere and flexible scheduling.
Impact: "I want to build and design energy efficient buildings for people to live in."
Benjamin
He really likes the science projects and he said that the math class in the morning gives him a boost in his regular math.
He would like to be a YouTuber or learn coding to make video games for kids.
January Enrichment Bingo!
Enrichment Bingo provides options for you and your students throughout each month. These activities are designed by grade-level, range across all subject-areas, provide hands-on activities, and support fun/interactive learning at home.
January Enrichment Bingo Links by Grade-Level:
Build an Art Portfolio
For students that are interested in art, you might consider creating and building an art portfolio.
Here is a guide on how to build a portfolio for college.
For younger students, you might consider creating a portfolio for an art show at home. You can invite close family and friends to tour your art museum or you can record a tour and share online with a parent's permission. Here is an article that discusses decorating with art, which might also give you some ideas for your very own art museum.
I would also encourage you to take a virtual tour of an art museum to get some ideas for your portfolio.
Complete a Science Project
Do you love science and fun hands on projects? You can create a science project or several small experiments for your project.
First, be sure to review the scientific method. Then, choose some experiments or an experiment that is interesting to you:
- Science is Fun Site: https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/
- At Home Experiments from We Are Teachers: https://www.weareteachers.com/easy-science-experiments/
- Science Bob: https://sciencebob.com/category/experiments/
- Steve Spangler: https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiment-library/
Design Thinking
Design thinking is done through empathy for our fellow men. Is there a need that we can help fulfill by designing and creating a product to support a specific need? Watch this video to learn more about design thinking and then check out this website to help you create a project.
Genius Hour Projects
Elementary Project-Based Learning Ideas
Project-based learning is another approach to learning that can help your student get creative and working on hands on projects. These projects can be connected to the current curriculum that students are learning. For example: for students that are learning to count money, they can also learn to be an entrepreneur by creating a lemonade stand. Connect art, English, business, and counting money to the project.
This is a great book that includes several project-based learning ideas. Mrs. Wyers has this book at home and can also find projects that will interest your student and connect him/her to what they are currently learning. You can connect with me through email or by phone if needed.
Here are some additional ideas:
- Create a cultural dinner based on either a language you are learning or the culture you are learning about in history. You could also create snacks or desserts based on what you have learned.
- Help the environment by learning to recycle and putting this into practice in your home.
- Get a class pet and learn all about him/her, create a habitat and care for the animal throughout the year. This is an opportunity to learn something new about this type of animal daily.
- Learning about space? Create a space mobile or create a colony on mars. Design a spaceship to help you get there.
- Make a class aquarium.
- Plant a class garden.
- Virtually visit all of the world's biomes. Take a hiking field trip and identify plants and animals and identify/describe the biome where you live.
- Collect rocks and identify them.
- Make a butterfly garden
- Get an ant farm and watch how the ants create their home. Study insects and then makeup and draw your own make believe insect.
- Collect insects and identify what they are.
Academic Competition - Continues this week! (January 7th and 8th)
OVCA gifted and talented students are signed up to participate in the online academic competition through the Oklahoma Association for Academic Competitions (OAAC). Each grade-level will compete in all subject areas: science, humanities and fine art, social studies, math, and language arts.
The official test schedule is as follows:
Science open on November 9, will be due on December 23 and scores will become final on January 8.
Humanities & Fine Arts open on November 9, will be due on December 20 and scores will become final on January 8.
Social Studies open on January 4, will be due on January 29 and scores will become final on February 1.
Mathematics open on January 4, will be due on February 12 and scores will become final on February 19
Language Arts open on January 4, will be due on February 26 and scores will become final on March 5.
Students will meet in a live class connect session to complete practice tests to prepare for each competition and will complete the final test together in a 50-minute timed, live class connect session.
Social Studies: January
Math: February
Language Arts: January/February
I think that we have a really good chance of winning the trophy for this competition and look forward to your participation. We don’t have a limit on how many can join our group, so the more the merrier. These will automatically show up on your plan as optional sessions and I hope to see you there. We will ROCK this competition!!!
Prufrock Press - Gifted Eduction Resources
Your Gifted Student's Emotional Needs are Important
John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Mensa for Kids
National Association for Gifted Children
Holly Wyers, Gifted and Talented Resource Coordinator
Email: hwyers@okvirtual.org
Website: https://hwyers.wixsite.com/ovca-gifted-talented
Phone: 405-259-9478 2076
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1028292917205902/
Book Corner!
I will be adding great books to read for kids, tweens, teens, and young adults. These are books that I have read and loved. I hope you find something interesting here to read as well!
Do you have a book that you want to share with others? Complete this survey with a review of the book and I will add it to our "book corner."
Happy Reading!
Geronimo Stilton books
C.S. Lewis books
High School Literature
Kidpreneurs!
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens!
How to Win Friends and Influence People!
Student Book Suggestions:
For older students:
- Lord of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
- The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
- The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
- Paper Towns by John Green
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
For younger students:
- Amelia Bedelia Books
Previous Newsletters:
School Year 19/20: https://www.smore.com/a27qe
School Year 20/21:
August 2020 Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/9gram
September 2020 Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/xqnyv
October 2020 Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/q1pr0
November 2020 Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/jcmx3
December 2020 Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/4pqb9