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Game Time - Bring on the Challenge!
SAN ELIZARIO, TEXAS – At Josefa L. Sambrano Elementary School, our number one priority is for students to learn. All students have different learning styles and abilities; thus, San Elizario ISD provides services to identified Gifted and Talented (G/T) students as outlined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Identified students at Sambrano are in two clusters: a first and second-grade cluster which meets every Friday for a 90-minute session with the Librarian, Mrs. Herrera, who is also the GT Coordinator.
Most sessions begin with an ice breaker or challenge and transition into the meet for the day. During the first semester, students learned about an online interactive notebook that has been used throughout the school year to document learning during Genius Hour. Genius Hour is a time when students get to explore a topic of interest. Students learn about the research process integrating the engineering process, which students are already familiar with to help them plan out their research.
Students learn how to take notes, create a choice board, and develop a question to guide research. Students learn how to brainstorm where to find information and then plan how to use the resources presented. Students receive guidance but primarily self-explore. At the end of the first semester, students share the research via Google Slides and teach peers all about the selected topic of choice. Yes, 1st and 2nd-grade students rise to the challenge!
From time to time, students receive a Science Technology Engineering Art Math, STEAM Challenge. In the first semester, students obtain challenges linked to literacy, such as the Chato's Kitchen challenge in which students were to construct a shelter for Chorizo, the dog in the story. Another challenge was to disguise the turkey after reading Turkey Trouble.
The exploration of online activities that motivate students is coding. Coding is another avenue of learning problem-solving skills. Coding also helps students learning how to follow and give complete directions. Virtual makerspace activities are projects that GT students participate in for fun.
The 2nd-semester topics for research are 1st Grade- Animal Nation and 2nd Grade- Amazing Animal Adaptation.
We are eager to see what students will create in the forms of artifacts (a diorama, sketches, models, etc.). Students receive a GT kit which includes materials such as crayons, glue, sticky note pads, note cards, erasers, hole puncher, colorful card stock/copy paper, and manila folders, which students use to construct these artifacts, as well as a National Geographic book, Amazing Animals, that they can use in their research process.
Parents and students are aware that this is by no means "more work," on the contrary, it allows students to explore their creativeness while rising to higher-order thinking challenges presented. Also, connections support students with the content areas in the classroom. The GT program allows children to collaborate with peers. Also, it engages parents to work virtually along with their children. The activities and learning that occur help students with future expectations in the forthcoming grades. Our Wildcats certainly got game!