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
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
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
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