Sunday, July 1, 2012

Session 3 - Question 2

From this reading section, select web-sites in your teaching field that you could use with gifted students. State the page numbers and why you selected the sites.

14 comments:

  1. Same websites from question 1. National Science Olympiad and Odyssey of the mind. "The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun) tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems -- great and small -- for a lifetime. The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems."

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    1. Great minds think alike! I liked Odyssey of the Mind for many of the same reasons. It would be great if they could start it in elementary/middle school and continue it in high school.

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    2. In response to Tracey Jensen, I think that being able to continue in the competition through high school is a great idea! Also, I noticed on the website that if multiple schools from the same district register, there is a discount. In addition, there seems to be a college scholarship application that contest members can apply for.

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    3. In respone to Mrs. Cruz, I think that Odyssey is a great way for students to learn creative problem solving. Being able to start this at a young age and move up through middle/high school. Each year there are a new set of ideas and guideline for the students to follow. It is a good opportunity for students to continue and develop in a program.

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    4. In response to Mrs. Cruz, I think Odyssey is a great venue for students, particularly GT, to do as an activity after the regular activity is done. I have used it in the past as a center as well and for students who I feel could benefit from extensions and not the regular lesson.

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  2. P 94 NASA Space Settlement Contest: http://www.nsta.org designing a space settlement….I would think this would be so much fun! I could incorporate different parts into my curriculum through the year. One year, I had a theme of ‘Physics of Toys’ and that worked very well. Maybe a theme of ‘Space’ would work too..

    P 110: National High School Student Solar Design Contest: http://www.prsea.org I am always looking for projects for my AP class. I think applying solar energy in new ways would be a fun project. My only concern is the projects must be submitted in April – when we are pushing for the AP test. My grade level kids would enjoy it as well, but again, we will be pushing for the EOC next year. I guess I need to come up with a way to work with them during the summer, before school gets busy.

    P 116: National Science Decathlon: http://www.sciencedecathlon.com Encouraging GT kids to work in groups is often a challenge, yet this is one way to encourage them to want to, while still focusing on science as a discipline – not individual courses

    P 120: National Young Astronomer Award: http://www.astrolegue.org This is an extension of the physics I teach in class and an interest for many of my students that is not covered directly in any curriculum that I know if in our district. The stars have fascinated people since the beginning of time – and I love star gazing. I think our student would too!

    P 121: Odyssey of the Mind: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com One thing I work very hard with my students is problem solving and real world applications. OM is designed just for such tasks.

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  3. Is it just me, or are most of these competitions for middle and/or high school? I felt hard pressed to find many aimed at elementary students. However, I could use any of the following:

    1.National Geography Bee P105 (but only with 4th and 5th graders)
    2.National Schools Project Poetry Contest P114
    3.National Science Olympiad P116
    4.National Women's Hall of Fame Essay and New Media Contest P120 (but only with 4th & 5th graders)
    5.Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition P121
    6.Odyssey of the Mind P121
    7.President's Environmental Youth Award P125

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they are which made it hard to find activities for the elementary students.

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  4. Several of the sites that I will use are:
    1. Sea World/Busch Gardens/ Fujifil page 130
    2. Amateur Poetry Contest page 12
    3. Creative Writing Essay Contest page 51
    4. Invent America! page 75
    5. Kids Bookshelf Contests page 83
    6. Odyssey of the Mind page 121

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  5. I found that there were not many competitions that were geared toward elementary students in this section, but here are the ones that I found of interest:
    1.National Schools Project Poetry Contest p.114
    2.National Science Olympiad p. 116
    3.Odyssey of the Mind p. 121
    All three allow for students to stretch themselves in different subject areas that might peak some interest in GT students.

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  6. I know most are not geared to elementary. However, I know those kids love competitions!

    Maybe you could pick one you really like and see if you could gear it for your class? Maybe have a Poetry Contest or Science Olympiad for your school?

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  7. I liked the following websites although some that attracted me were geared toward high school which was disappointing. In particular was the one on page 40 (Arts Recognition and Talent Search). My students lst year were so savy with technology and photography that they woudl have enjoyed a competion such as this one.
    1. Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Contest pg. 39
    2. Clarke Bradbury Science Fiction Competiton
    Love reading Singularity as a kick off to a sci-fi unit!
    3. Invent America! page 75
    4. Kids Bookshelf Contests page 83
    5. Odyssey of the Mind page 121

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  8. I was also hard pressed to find some, as I will be middle school health fitness next year, but if I were still teaching elementary math I would like "Math Olympiads for Elementary Schools" pg. 90.

    I also liked: Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition (pg. 121).

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  9. In response to ratliffb and Tracey Jensen: I liked how Tracey suggested scaling competions and making them fit into your classroom and curriculum. I agree there were not a lot of competitions for elementary aged students, but I also think some kids will excel and step it up if you can challenge them (even if they can't enter the exact competition), and when they get to the right age, they can then dominate the real one! :)

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