Primary Talent Pool Services
Primary Talent Pool (PTP) Program teacher, Jodi Ludmann, is available to collaborate with 1st -3rd grade teachers to help provide instructional resources for higher level thinking activities in the regular classroom for identified PTP students. Students participating in the PTP may receive differentiation within the regular classroom and, depending on available time and space, may work with Mrs. Cooper in a small group setting (see descriptions below).
Mrs. Cooper's Bitmoji Classroom for Primary Talent Pool and Quest
First Grade PTP
First grade PTP enrichment will consist of two units. Each will meet once a week for approximately 45 minutes and will last approximately 8 - 10 weeks.
Terrific Tangrams! (Unit 1)
This 1st grade PTP unit will focus on critical and creative thinking with Tangrams. Students will explore the origin of Tangrams and will complete a series of hands-on activities including spatial reasoning tasks, focus on geometric attributes, and creative thinking challenges.
It's Elementary, Dear Watson (Unit 2)
This 1st grade PTP unit will focus on deductive and analytical reasoning skills. Students will use addition/subtraction, number patterns, measurement, and data (bar graphs) as well as their observational and reasoning skills to solve a multitude of mysteries. They will study the concept of a mystery story and work to identify the corresponding story elements as well as write their own mystery.
Second Grade PTP
Second grade PTP enrichment will consist of 2 units. Each will meet once a week for approximately 45 minutes.
Creativity Abounds!
This 2nd grade PTP unit will focus on creative thinking skills. Creative thinkers are curious and imaginative! Creative thinkers make crucial connections that lead to important advances and innovations. During this enrichment time, students will work on a variety of verbal, written, and hands-on activities focused on developing and nurturing the following Creative Thinking Skills:
Fluency – the ability to generate many ideas
Flexibility – the ability to make connections between ideas
Elaboration – the ability to add details to a concept or an idea
Originality – the ability to think of unique and different ideas
Fractured Fairy Tales: A Literary Unit
In this unit, we will study the main elements of a story, including the plot, characters, character traits, conflict/resolution, heroes/villains, setting, and point of view. Students will compare traditional fairy tales we all know and love to “fractured” fairy tales. We will also work on story mapping, sequencing, retelling, using the SCAMPER method and acrostics, and creating unique fractured tales.
Pentominoes
This 2nd grade PTP unit will focus on critical and creative thinking with pentominoes! Through a series of hands on activities, students will develop spatial reasoning skills, an understanding of area and perimeter, fractions, multiplication, and much more!
Third Grade PTP
Third grade PTP enrichment will consist of multiple units. Each will meet once a week for approximately 45 minutes.
Mythology (Unit 1)
We will study the elements of literature including key facts and details, allusions, similes, metaphors, and the multiple purposes of writing. In this unit we will take a look at WHAT Greek Mythology is , WHY it was written, and WHO some of the most popular characters are. Students will research and write their own bio-poem on their favorite mythological character.
Creativity Abounds! (Unit 2)
This 3rd grade PTP unit will focus on creative thinking skills. Creative thinkers are curious and imaginative! Creative thinkers make crucial connections that lead to important advances and innovations. During this enrichment time, students will work on a variety of verbal, written, and hands-on activities focused on developing and nurturing the following Creative Thinking Skills:
Fluency – the ability to generate many ideas
Flexibility – the ability to make connections between ideas
Elaboration – the ability to add details to a concept or an idea
Originality – the ability to think of unique and different ideas
Create A Trip (Unit 3)
Students work as a team to create a field trip that could be taken by first to third grade primary talent pool students across the district. After working out all of the planning details students will create a presentation to “pitch” their field trip idea. It will be voted on by staff and students across the district to decide which field trip will be taken in the spring!
Target Skills: Creativity, Collaboration, Community Connections, Research, Math/Budgeting, Critical Thinking, Technology for research and “marketing”, Presentation of Ideas.
Origami (Unit 4)
This 3rd grade PTP unit will focus on developing critical and creative thinking skills through a study of Origami! Students will explore the history of origami and the fundamentals of folding through lessons that are designed to be cross curricular involving geometry, language arts, fine motor skills, public speaking, presentation skills and more!
