Kellie Segraves, Shakerag Elementary

Program Development for the Gifted Learner

Worksheet for Enrichment Activities for High Ability

Learners
A. Review the resources provided on the Enrichment Activities sheet. Study
at least three resources of which you were unaware.
B. Reflect on each of the three activities of interest, summarize the activity and
explain how you might use the enrichment activities in your classroom,
school or district. How could these be used to supplement differentiation for
diverse learners by engaging their learning differences(readiness, interests,
or learning profile)?

1) First Lego League Jr. Teams

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jr.fll
The First organization and Lego work together to create a new real-world
challenge each year to develop STEM concepts through research and Lego.
Some examples have been Think Tank (how the mind works), Super Seniors
(design a product to help senior citizens), Disaster Blaster (natural disasters)
The Jr. League is for teams of 4-6 students, ages 6-9, who are facilitated by 2
adult coaches. The core values are teamwork, kids lead and do the work,
share their discoveries with others, are helpful, kind, and respectful of each
other, and have fun! They meet after school 1-2 hours a week for 6-8 weeks
to research the topic, build a Lego creation (with moving parts) that
represents their research and construct a poster that documents their
learning and work. The students are then able to show what they know at
various expos around the world. If they are unable to make it to an expo,
there is a virtual expo they can enter. Some teams are invited to the world
expo in St. Louis.
I dont know many children that wouldnt jump at an activity with the word
Lego in it! There are so many components from interviewing family
members, friends, and those in your community, to researching in books and
online, to creating the design for the Lego invention, testing the invention,
and producing the Show Me poster that all readiness levels, interests, and
especially learning styles are valued for this project.
I read a few of the previous challenges and they got me thinking that even if
I do not have motorized Legos, I could possibly integrate a team challenge
similar to this during my enrichment block or even bring it in to a science
unit . This year the challenge is Waste Wise. Students will learn to look at
trash in a whole new way. From reducing, to reusing, to recycling, and
beyond, they will find out what making trash really means.

Kellie Segraves, Shakerag Elementary

Program Development for the Gifted Learner

2) Odyssey of the Mind (OM)

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com
Rooted in industrial design classes, Odyssey of the Mind is a competition that
nurtures creativity in problem solving. It is for students Kindergarten through
College who are given 5 long term problems that include mechanical
(building), technical(innovative contraptions), classic(art and literature),
structures(build and test), and performance components. Each school can
send one team of up to seven per question who compete in age groups, k-5,
6-8, 9-12, and collegiate. Students develop team-building skills by working
in groups. They learn to examine problems, identify the real challenge and
not to limit solutions. The creative-thinking process is nurtured and
developed as a problem-solving tool. Students of all types will find something
that will challenge and appeal to them.

3) Destination Imagination
http://www.destinationimagination.org
D.I. is a competition that gives students of all ages the opportunity to solve
project based social problems that focus on STEM, fine arts, and service.
Teams consist of up to 7 members and they choose one of seven challenges.
Adults are not allowed to lead or suggest along the way, they may only help
the students acquire skills and knowledge. The students generally work for 24 months imagining, creating, practicing, and innovating ways to approach
and solve the problem they have chosen. Then they take their innovations
to tournament. Students form all over the world compete.

C. Refine your interest by drafting a plan for how you could implement at least
one of the above activities at your school. If there are several colleagues from
your school or district who are interested in the same activity, plan together.

I think of all of the enriching gifted programs I read about, I am most

interested in First Lego League Jr. I taught a Lego robotics camp a couple of
years ago and the excitement from the kids was contagious!
-Find someone who would like to join me in organizing and coaching this
adventure

Kellie Segraves, Shakerag Elementary

Program Development for the Gifted Learner

- Speak with our Advanced Strategies Lab teacher to see if we can borrow
Legos to defray our cost.
-present to administration for approval (why it is worthwhile, basic cost, time,
who would be involved, where we would meet)
-decide how we will chose the team (lottery, invitation, application)
-create a work session schedule (Aug-Oct, 1-2 days a week)
-send home informational flyers with students (dates, cost, travel, behavior
and attendance expectations)
-choose the team
-meet with parents (give info, collect money, vote on travel to expo or
virtual, decide on fundriasers for additional Lego parts, t-shirts, etc.)
-register and receive challenge details
- sometime in August, as determined by above calendar, kids start project