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Allison Kerley

Shakerag Elementary School


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)?

GA Future
Problem
Solving

Summary: This program helps students develop a vision for the future
and learn how to problem solve in a creative way. It is for students in
grades 4 through 12. Students use the following process to solve
problems:
1. Identify Challenges Related to the Topic or Future Scene
2. Select an Underlying Problem
3. Produce Solution Ideas to the Underlying Problem
4. Generate and Select Criteria to Evaluate Solution Ideas
5. Evaluate Solution Ideas to Determine the Best Solution
6. Develop the Action Plan for Implementing the Best Solution
Shakerag: The six steps they use to solve a problem could be easily
integrated into my math class. It is very similar to a TAG problem
solving lesson. I could also see this as an after school program for 4th
and 5th graders.
Differentiation: I think this program would help differentiate based on
interest. Many gifted kids are motivated by authentic learning
experiences rather than academics. I think this would be a great
program to get these kids excited about what they are doing and
challenge them beyond the curriculum.

Continental
Math
League

Summary: The Continental Mathematics League hosts problemsolving competitions for students in grades 2-5. It may or may not be
affiliated with a school. It is designed to be an engaging and fun way to

Allison Kerley
Shakerag Elementary School
Program Development for the Gifted Learner

interact with math.


Shakerag: This program would be very successful at Shakerag. Many
students are excited to join fun, academic, and competitive clubs.
Differentiation: Because the competitive tasks are so engaging for
students, I think that this program would be a great way to
differentiate learning based on interest.
Summary: This program provides creative problem solving activities
for students from Kindergarten through college. They do a variety of
activities from building mechanical devices to presenting a different
version of a literary classic.
Odyssey
of the Mind

Shakerag: Most of the academic clubs at Shakerag cater to students


in grades 3-5. I think this would be the best program to add to
Shakerag because students can start as early as Kindergarten!
Differentiation: This program has something for everyone! It is
focused on more than just math and science. The differentiation by
interest will motivate students with different passions to participate
and learn while having fun!

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.
Most academic after school clubs at Shakerag are for students in upper-grades. That is
why I believe Odyssey of the Mind would be the best program for Shakerag Elementary
School. Rather than trying to make it a K-5 program its first year, I would start with grades
K-2 the first year. Each year after, I would add another grade level. By starting with our
youngest Shakerag Sharks, we could build a strong foundation for creative problem
solving. By the time students are in the upper grades, they can choose from a variety of
programs we already have in place, or choose to continue with Odyssey of the Mind.

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