Designing and Implementing a Summer Program for Gifted

on a Rural Budget

Summer Exploration Institute 2011-2014 Lessons Learned and Experience Gained

Structure 2011

Education students working on gifted endorsement

Summer program for children ages 8-10 who would benefit from a gifted program

Living in the Black Hills Coordinated the dates with other

programs Four half day sessions and one full

day Focus on critical and creative

thinking skills

Structure 2011

Community support Volunteers Curriculum book Homework assignments $40 per child charge covered

transportation, materials and SEI T-shirt

Forty percent of fees went to Educational Outreach Office

Issues and Challenges 2011

Marketing Too many smaller units Teachers were isolated from each

other Secondary teachers were not

comfortable or experienced with age group

Homework Forty percent of the fees went to the

Educational Outreach Office

Successes in 2011

Participants had an amazing experience

Teachers learned so much about planning, teaching, and being prepared

Parents were very supportive Community was very supportive Requests for older group session 7 teachers and volunteers 17 participants

1800’s School House

Brands

Squiggle Book

Butterfly Houses and Flowers

Archeology Field Work

Changes for 2012

Curriculum was developed earlier in the summer

Added an afternoon group for ages 11-13 Fewer, larger units Added technology with GPS units Different drop off points for parents Assistant Director Marketing No homework – expansion activity Separate Parent Information Book

Parent InformationDrop OffPick UpLocation

LessonLocation

Drop Off Time

Pick Up Time

Special Notes

Monday BHSU BHSU 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Wear SEI shirt Bring snack Check Expansion activity

Tuesday WesternHeritageCenter

Western HeritageCenter

9:00 AM 12:00 PM Wear SEI shirt Bring snack Bring water bottle Check Expansion activity

Wednesday Western HeritageCenter

WesternHeritageCenter &Black HillsPioneer

9:00 AM 12:00 PM Wear SEI shirt Bring snack Bring water bottle Check Expansion activity

Thursday BHSU BHSU 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Wear SEI shirt Bring snack Bring water bottle Check Expansion activity

Friday BHSU Outdoor CampusWest

8:00 AM 5:00 PM Wear SEI shirt Wear close toed shoes, pants, hats, and

sunscreen Bring snack Bring lunch Bring water bottle

Morning Group

Successes in 2012

Better time management Assistant Director Communication with parents 9 teachers and volunteers 26 participants Expanded field trips Parent Information Book

GPS Introduction

Building a Cabin Foundation

Looking for Artifacts

Changes in 2013

Funding!!!!

Successes in 2013

Purchased materials for the program 53 attendees for Open House All day field trip out of town More diverse topics 12 teachers and volunteers 37 participants Participants brought friends

Garage Band

Printing Press

Sustainability and Architecture

Archeology

Outdoor Campus

Process

Recruit, recruit, recruit Nature and Needs of the Gifted Nature of Creativity Gifted Curriculum Summer Exploration Institute

(practicum)

Curriculum

Lesson Plan Format Explore, Examine, Explain Materials Information sheet

Not a classroom lesson!! Edited and provided

recommendations for improvement

Ghost Towns - Explore

Ghost towns and mining camps from the past hold many clues to the daily life of the families and residents who lived and worked in the towns. How do they compare to life today for families and residents of towns?

Examine

Discuss the following comparisons:

1.Ghost towns: What makes a town thrive and survive? What makes a town become a ghost town? What services are needed to sustain a town? What kinds of events could lead to a town becoming a ghost town?

Examine

2. Compare Daily life: Would it be more difficult or simpler to live in an historical time period? Does it cost more now to survive than it did in the past? School house was built for $135 and $25 extra work. First Galena school teacher was paid $55 per month Last Galena school teacher was paid $90 per month

in 1942-1943

3. Compare and contrast gender roles of the past and present.

Explain

Many areas in the Black Hills have abandoned towns that at one time were booming places. What makes a town thrive and survive? What makes a town become a ghost town? We’ll find some answers and ask more questions in a real ghost town!

Very important!

Extreme Weather Back up Plan

Students will create a ghost town model indoors using available supplies.

Changes for 2014

No additional funding Addition of a full day program for

older participants in June More students working on

endorsement No independent studies Strong middle school recruitment Assistant teachers Curriculum online

SEI 2014 June Topics

Game design Coding Sustainability Archeology Robotics Exercise Science and Healthy Living Free Form Art

SEI 2014July Topics

Circuitry Heraldry Origins of Language What Does a Super Hero Look Like? Music in Nature Designing and Making Games Exercise Science and Healthy Living

What have we learned?

Community resources Volunteers Family commitment Participant commitment Teaching experience Follow up on participant suggestions Always be looking for learning

opportunities Farewell tour

Thank you!