Hands-On Challenge

Challenge: Buildings are made out of various materials. The tallest buildings are constructed from steel frames. Your challenge is to construct a building that is over 10 inches tall.

Rules:

1. You will have 5 minutes to discuss, assign responsibilities, and construct a building at least 10 inches tall.

2. The building must be free-standing.

3. You may use only the materials provided.

4. Be creative and have fun.

Score:

Creativity of the building 0-20

Building 10 inches tall 10

Each inch over 10 inches 10 each

Ability for team to work as a group 0-20

Gifted/Talented Student

Accommodations

What are you doing to challenge your gifted/talented students?

Two easy mistakes when trying to challenge the gifted student:

• Giving extra credit: Gifted students wonder, “Why should I let the teacher know about my expertise if my ‘prize’ will be more work?” (Would you like it if your principal asked you to work on more committees for “extra credit”?)

• Peer tutoring: If gifted students want to tutor other students, this should be limited to one class period per week. Although many gifted kids appear to enjoy tutoring, it postpones their own opportunities to learn and work at their personal challenge levels.

Ways to Challenge• What can I do in my classroom to challenge

“gifted” students?– Ask higher level questions using word prompts.– Provide a workplace with extra activities

(extension activities).– Design a workbook to use at his/her desk with

extra activities (logic problems).– Arrange with a higher level teacher to have

student participate in their math and/or reading. – Use the higher level SRA kits.– Do NOT teach to the lowest level learners in the

class.

Compacting & Differentiated Instruction

• Compacting strategies include whole class direct instruction, learning contracts, independent study agreements, study guides, extension activities, and evaluation contracts.

• Differentiation strategies include whole class direct instruction or small group instruction, tiered lessons, and extensions.

Where do I start?

Extension Activities for the Accelerated Learner

Extensions are used by students when they have completed their classroom

work. Students must follow independent work

rules when doing extensions.

Extension Rules

1. All classroom work must be complete and of high quality before beginning an extension activity.

2. Never brag, bother, or call attention to yourself while working on an extension.

3. Don’t bother the teacher while he/she is teaching. You must work independently.

Creating Extension Activities

• Pick a general topic.

• Use higher level Bloom’s Taxonomy word prompts to create activities that the student(s) can work on independently.

• Set up an area where students can access these activities and work independently.

• Read over rules of extension work and sign contract for behavior (optional).

Let’s Create!!

• Gather into grade level groups.• Pick a topic (math, science, writing, etc.)• Use Bloom’s Taxonomy to create

interesting, fun activities for extensions.• Fill in the blanks of the Extension Activity

Sheet.• Turn in completed form for inclusion into

resource being compiled by NHA. Include your names and topic.