Sunday, July 8, 2012

Session 4 - Question 1

From the competitions listed on pages 127-150 which ones could gifted students learn life skills? Explain your reasoning. Give page numbers. All postings from this book study are due by 11:59 PM Tuesday, 24th July in order to receive credit.

14 comments:

  1. Any competition that involves team will improve the students social skills – and bring out the more negative aspects of their personalities! Working with students in competitions is mostly about teaching them how to lose gracefully – a skill most adults have not mastered! They need to learn how to place second (or third – or 50th) and congratulate the 1st place team. They also need to learn how to win without becoming boastful or proud or rude! Winning is actually harder than losing. They have to learn to deal with other team’s jealousy and comments - gracefully.


    P 128: Science Olympiad: http://www.soinc.org Working in teams is a critical skill lacking in many of our high school students. Working on a competitive team of 15, to work toward a common goal that increases their thinking skills and problem solving would benefit all high schoolers.

    P 130: Siemens Foundation Competition in Math, Science and Technology: http://www.siemens-foundation.org This is more creative than some of the other competitions for science and will help the students become more innovative.

    P 134: Toshiba national Science Teachers Asssociation/ExploraVision Awards Program: http://www.exploravision.org By focusing on future technology and its applications, students will need to address the ‘life skills’ that are usually absent in a traditional science class – like ‘Should this technology every be used? Or even invented? What are some applications that are beneficial? Detrimental? Etc.

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    1. In response to Tracy Jenson- I agree with your statement that winning is much harder than loosing. Once a student has won they find that it is easy and actually in everything we do we must work at it or be interested in it to be successful. I believe that winning and loosing are just as equal to learn. Teamwork is so critical in our everyday lives being in the classroom, home or work setting. Competitions is a good way or learning new skills.

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    2. Stacey L;

      I like the idea that winning and losing are equal! We each need to learn how to do both.

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    3. Social Skills are huge in any of these competitions! They have to learn to communicate with each other to be productive. I also like that students need to learn how to win and lose.

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    4. In reply to Tracey Jensen, I hadn't thought about the jealousy aspect. You're so right about that. I also agree with you about competing helping students learn (hands on, so to speak) how to win and lose gracefully. Yes, it's difficult for many adults to win or lose gracefully!

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    5. I like what Tracey had to say about winning and losing. I agreed with all your thoughts, Tracey!Compettion certainly brings out the best and worst in many and I think that GT students have a more difficult time accepting a loss, because they like to think they are mostly always right!. I am so happy to have this book to refer to during the year.

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  2. There are many competitions that students could learn life lessons skills. Several that can to mind are:
    1. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards- page 127 www.prudential.com : this competition is designed to have students serve their communities through leadership. This is long life lesson that they will continue to develop through the years. Community service is far needed as a life skill.
    2. Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen - page 141 www.vfw.org : Understanding democracy and what our country is founded on. I believe this is a life skill that one needs. Understanding your views and begin able to support what you stand for is a lfe skill. I believe it also a life skill is knowing histroy and how we were founded.
    3. Young Natuuralist Awards page 148 - www.amnh.org : By focusing on future astronomy, biology, earth science or ecology, students will need to address life skills that could be absent in the classroom. Scientific discovery is important for toward our future.

    Many of these Academic Competitions are life skill builders. They are interwoven into our education and success.

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    1. I agree with both Stacey and Tracy Competitions bring the good and the bad in people. I found 4 that I could use for Elementary specifically for 3rd grade.

      1) Science Olympiad. pg 128. The work individually but they also work in teams, the studentes will understand the importance of TEAM WORK and each others opinions and thoughts, to be able to accomplish their goal.

      2) Sea world Environmental Excellence Awards. pg 130. I love science and the importance of the environment, that's why I pick this one :)

      3) What's your Story?. pg. 144. I think this is my FAVORITE, they have soo much to say.... and have their voices publish is very nice.

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    2. I really like the Prudential Competition too. I think it really helps to build good life skills of motivation and leadership.

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  3. All competitions teach life skills, especially when it comes to winning and losing. They can learn to be graceful winners and losers. A lot of the competitions teach teamwork. it is so important for students to be able to learn how to work together. Each student brings something different to the group, whether it be their personality or knowledge. Learning workout difference to succeed is very important.

    Science Olympiad (p.128) is a perfect example of having to work together. I also think anything with a form of the word Olympics is always going to be fun and challenging.

    Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards (p.127)-teaches the skills of serving others and learning how to be a leader in community and initiative. Learning leadership skills are so important for students. Initiative skills is something I think students are lacking today because everything is either handed to them or they have it at their finger tips and do not have to put out much effort.

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  4. I believe that gifted students could learn life skills from any of the competitions. The life skills I'm thinking of include learning how to be part of a team, part of something larger than themselves; learning how to work with others; learning how to win, and learning how to lose.

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  5. I think that competitions for the Gifted are very important for life learning skills because often a gifted students at the elementary level has been around the same students for several years. Other classmates learn to accept them as they are. The competitons are with people they do not know and I think it brings them to a new level of producing. they have to exert more because they do not knwo who they are delaing with.
    Prudential Spirit of Community Awards- page 127 www.prudential.com : this competition is designed to have students serve their communities through leadership. This is long life lesson that they will continue to develop through the years. Community service is far needed as a life skill.
    I like this one inparticular because it is an election year!
    pg. 143 Weekly Math Contest i like this one because it gives results quickly.
    pg. 149 Young Playwrights Festival www.youngplaywrights.org Great for a team of students who like to do drama. can think of several that will be in my class next year who are actors on the side!

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  6. The first one on page 127: Prudential Spirit of Community Awards; this event rewards students who serve their communities in leadership or service.

    Sea World/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards (page 130): this awards program recognizes students and teachers who work to preserve the environment.

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  7. In response to Stacey L: the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen; I really appreciated the point you made about understanding democracy and what our country was founded upon. You couldn't be more correct!

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