Rural Exceptional Student Talent Opportunities, Resources, & Experiences

CANVAS COURSES

The following courses for teachers and students are available on the ESU2 Canvas platform.

To enroll in any of these courses, please email RESTORE Instructional Coach and Student Project Coordinator Dr. Kristen Job at kjob@esu2.org or Dave Privett at dprivett@esu2.org.

Teacher Courses

Differentiation 101 - Effective differentiation is more than just different; rather, it is different with a purpose, and that purpose is making the learning experiences meaningful to students. Effective differentiation, then, is 'the match of the curriculum and learning experiences to the learners . . . to facilitate ongoing continuous progress for all students' (Roberts & Inman, 2015). This course will provide multiple strategies for increasing/improving differentiation in your classroom.

Early Elementary HAL Resources - quick, easy things to use with kindergarten kiddos when you need to challenge them a bit more. Would be great with small groups of high flyers as well as to develop critical thinking skills!

Effective Teaching - This course is designed for teachers, leaders, and parents. It can be used as part of an individual effort to improve as a teacher. It can be used as the basis for teacher improvement meetings.

Elementary 1st & 2nd Grade HAL Resources - much the same as the early elementary tools: things to use with high flyers or small groups of kiddos to develop critical thinking skills!

HAL Hacks - bell ringers or things to use with kids who finish right away. Good for grades 3 through high school – deep questions with many answers to get them thinking.

Identification and Assessment of Gifted Learners - a self-paced course studying the book Handbook on Assessments for Gifted Learners: Identification, Learning Progress, and Evaluation, edited by Susan K. Johnsen and Joyce VanTassel-Baska (©2002, Routledge, paperback ISBN: 978-1-032-25984-0).

Introduction to Gifted Education - follows the textbook Introduction to Gifted Education by Roberts, Inman and Robins. If you have this book this course will be a highlight of the key takeaways, and much of the information comes directly from the pages of the textbook. If you do not have the book, it is likely someone in your district might if they have taken the Wayne State HAL Endorsement courses. It might be a good tool for a deeper dive into the information presented here.

Introduction to High Ability Learners - a self-paced introduction to gifted learners, using the textbook Introduction to Gifted Education by Roberts, Inman and Robins (2022, Prufrock Press). You will engage with a series of projects designed to deepen your understanding of the readings and support you in thoughtfully integrating key concepts into your current teaching practice.

Supporting the Needs of High Ability Learners - a self-paced course using the textbook The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children by Neihart, Pfeiffer, and Cross (2021, Prufrock Press). You will engage with a series of projects designed to deepen your understanding of the readings and support you in thoughtfully integrating key concepts into your current teaching practice.

Student Courses

7 Wonders of Nebraska

(grades 4-6) This course will teach students how Nebraska's natural and historical wonders shape our state's identity, and how we can protect them for future generations.

Aerospace Avengers

(grades 5-8) By incorporating the PACE framework, this unit will guide the student through a critical thinking process that supports deeper engagement with aerospace engineering. This adaptation allows the student to use online resources and virtual mentorship to explore real-world aerospace challenges while developing a comprehensive solution. This unit is designed for middle schoolers and will require students to be able to research on their own.

Environmental Engineering & Sustainability

(grades 6-8) In this unit, the student will explore environmental engineering, focusing on sustainability and innovative solutions to contemporary environmental issues (i.e. renewable energy, waste management, water purification, etc.). This unit integrates Level 4 DOK questions with the PACE Framework (Point of View, Assumptions, Consequences, Evidence) to encourage critical thinking and problem solving.

Math Puzzlers

(grades 5-8) If you have a student or a group of students who always seem to be done with their math early or have pre-tested out of the current content – then math puzzles are for you! These problems will challenge even this best math whiz with creative and critical thinking all while using the clues to decipher math problems!

Mysterious Science

Easy science experiments that can be done with a little prep, although some require more prep. Read through to make sure you have the required time and materials before you begin. Could be used in WIN time, in a pullout program, or as enrichment before or after school! Grades 3-6.

Primary Education Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills for grades 1-3. Introduces students to deductive convergent thinking.

Sleuthing Scientists

A challenging series of "Who Did It?" investigations for grades 4-6.

Sophie's World

A novel study for grades 8-10 – a study of Western Philosophy. The novel is included in the canvas site. This would be great for an independent study or small group study. I used this every year with kids, and they really enjoyed it!

Special Ops Challenge Series

Like the badges, but for older kids grades 4-12. These are good for independent study or small groups/teams, and are submitted to us so we can recognize their work and effort!

Spies Like Us

(grades 4-6) A great independent study or small group unit for kids to learn more about codes and ciphers.

Statistics for Students

A challenging look into the world of data and how we use data all around us. This course is for those math kids who need a challenge and want to see how data transforms our world. Upper elementary and middle level students will be challenged in this course!

STEAM Punks

(grades 4-8) Project-based learning meets STEAM in a fun and new way. Incorporating communication skills, inquiry, collaboration, exploration, analytical skills, investigative skills, models, and simulations. All will get your students thinking in fun new ways!

Stealth Morph Creation

An intense vocabulary study for kids in grades 5-9. Ten lessons can be done independently or in small groups. This is great for kids who are going to college – academic words galore!

Three-Act Theater Math

Engaging, challenging math problems presented in three parts: an engaging initial scenario (Act 1), a phase where students gather information to solve the problem (Act 2), and finally, the reveal of the solution and discussion (Act 3), encouraging critical thinking and active problem-solving by students, using real-world contexts and visuals.

ViewPlace Graphic Arts/Marketing

(grades 9-12) An introduction to all things graphic design and marketing! If you are a creative type or want to expand your creative horizons, this course will challenge you to think in new ways - utilizing real world graphic designers and marketers to help you hone your craft! You will then use your skills to showcase what is happening in your schools by creating slide shows for the school's screens! You will be in charge of marketing for your school district!

What If?

(grades 4–12) Deep questions, some with answers, and some maybe not. Really great way to gets kids thinking differently. These activities are good for when you need a time filler or as an independent study. These will require some research to solve!

Coming Soon . . .

Debate 101

Summary will be posted soon.

Upper Elementary Challenge Math

New ways of thinking about math. For grades 4-6.

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