Teaching Gifted versus Bright Lights

I struggle with the term "gifted".  I have for many years.  I use it because is classifies a population of students I have the opportunity to work with, but I dislike the nuances that come with the term. 

It supposes that there are students with "gifts", and in having these "gifts" they are set apart or different from other students. However, in my role as the Challenge Centre Teacher for the District, I have to use the term in order to provide services to students.  I do not wish to get into a philosophical rambling about the term, however, I enjoy working with students and providing opportunities to children that are ready for a challenge and are ready to extend themselves in their learning.  

When students come to the Challenge Centre, they are "bright eyed and bushy tailed" and ready to learn!  They are ready to take a risk and extend themselves in their learning.  So, I have renamed my site Bright Lights, to emphasize the energy and "light bulb" moments I see with my students.  The lights are on and they are ready to go!

Teaching Gifted versus Bright Lights

I struggle with the term "gifted".  I have for many years.  I use it because is classifies a population of students I have the opportunity to work with, but I dislike the nuances that come with the term. 

It supposes that there are students with "gifts", and in having these "gifts" they are set apart or different from other students. However, in my role as the Challenge Centre Teacher for the District, I have to use the term in order to provide services to students.  I do not wish to get into a philosophical rambling about the term, however, I enjoy working with students and providing opportunities to children that are ready for a challenge and are ready to extend themselves in their learning.  

When students come to the Challenge Centre, they are "bright eyed and bushy tailed" and ready to learn!  They are ready to take a risk and extend themselves in their learning.  So, I have renamed my site Bright Lights, to emphasize the energy and "light bulb" moments I see with my students.  The lights are on and they are ready to go!

One of my Favourite Books

For my unit on Operation Civilization, I read the students Weslandia By Paul Fleischman as a beginning activity.  
This is a fantastic book that deals with bullying, and being a bit different from the crowd, and doing your own thing!  Basically, Wes spends the summer designing his own civilization!  As I read this to the students, I have them begin to get ideas about designing their own civilization and talk about:  language, staple food crops, government, and leisure activities.  

One of my Favourite Books

For my unit on Operation Civilization, I read the students Weslandia By Paul Fleischman as a beginning activity.  
This is a fantastic book that deals with bullying, and being a bit different from the crowd, and doing your own thing!  Basically, Wes spends the summer designing his own civilization!  As I read this to the students, I have them begin to get ideas about designing their own civilization and talk about:  language, staple food crops, government, and leisure activities.  

A Happy Spring Break

 

It has been a wonderful term, but I am so glad it is over.  I have neglected the blog due to huge amounts of volunteering in my life with my sons' school, and I also took a team to work on a creative problem solving program called Destination Imagination at my sons' school.  So, between Destination Imagination, and my leadership/volunteer roles, I have barely managed to breathe.  However, here we are at Sun Peaks, skiing away....I am never too tired to ski and enjoy the slopes.  I am looking forward to getting back to teaching, and working with students again, and to do some skiing at Whistler!!!!

A Happy Spring Break

 

It has been a wonderful term, but I am so glad it is over.  I have neglected the blog due to huge amounts of volunteering in my life with my sons' school, and I also took a team to work on a creative problem solving program called Destination Imagination at my sons' school.  So, between Destination Imagination, and my leadership/volunteer roles, I have barely managed to breathe.  However, here we are at Sun Peaks, skiing away....I am never too tired to ski and enjoy the slopes.  I am looking forward to getting back to teaching, and working with students again, and to do some skiing at Whistler!!!!

Operation Civilization

I just finished working with two groups of students on a project called "Operation Civilization" - one of my favourite challenge centres!  Here, the students designed their own country, based on Earth. 

 I made the parameters "based on Earth" so that the students would not veer off into fantasy land realities, but instead, look at concepts that are real to us on Earth:  concepts of government, leadership, economics, trade, national identity, and nation building.

 So, students had a great time designing and thinking about their countries...

 This student placed her country near Italy and thought about government, and trade, and natural resources.  Her motto was "A nation of peace"

 All students made a quiz about their nation that the other students had to complete after each student went around the classroom and read about each others projects.

 Many of the students created island communities.

 This student created an underwater civilization...the criteria was "as long as you can justify and speak to it... and take questions from the audience" then you can do it!!!

 Some students created models.

 Others drew detailed maps...

 Most importantly, they all LOVED sharing their ideas with each other!

Thank you my creative OPCIV students who joined me this year in designing your own country.  You were all magical and wonderful to work with.

Operation Civilization

I just finished working with two groups of students on a project called "Operation Civilization" - one of my favourite challenge centres!  Here, the students designed their own country, based on Earth. 

 I made the parameters "based on Earth" so that the students would not veer off into fantasy land realities, but instead, look at concepts that are real to us on Earth:  concepts of government, leadership, economics, trade, national identity, and nation building.

 So, students had a great time designing and thinking about their countries...

 This student placed her country near Italy and thought about government, and trade, and natural resources.  Her motto was "A nation of peace"

 All students made a quiz about their nation that the other students had to complete after each student went around the classroom and read about each others projects.

 Many of the students created island communities.

 This student created an underwater civilization...the criteria was "as long as you can justify and speak to it... and take questions from the audience" then you can do it!!!

 Some students created models.

 Others drew detailed maps...

 Most importantly, they all LOVED sharing their ideas with each other!

Thank you my creative OPCIV students who joined me this year in designing your own country.  You were all magical and wonderful to work with.