3rd 9-Weeks

Projects we are currently working on in GT this Semester 

Passion Projects 

Real World Projects

In our Gifted & Talented (GT) class, students are working on a project titled “Living on Your Own: Cost of Living & Budget Challenge.” This project is designed to help students apply advanced thinking skills to a realistic, real-world scenario while strengthening their math, research, and decision-making abilities.

For this project, students will imagine themselves as adults living independently in a U.S. city of their choice. They will research a career, calculate income, and build a full monthly budget that includes housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, savings, and other real-life expenses. Students will also explore topics such as cost of living differences, climate and geography, interest rates on car loans, and long-term financial planning. The final product will be a detailed Google Slides presentation supported by accurate calculations, visuals, and written reflections.

This project strongly aligns with Gifted & Talented goals in several important ways:

• Depth and Complexity: Students analyze multiple variables at once (income, expenses, geography, interest, and lifestyle choices) rather than completing isolated math problems.
• Real-World Problem Solving: There is no single “right answer.” Students must justify choices, evaluate trade-offs, and adapt their budgets when challenges arise.
• Advanced Mathematical Thinking: Students apply percentages, ratios, interest calculations, comparisons, and budgeting in an authentic context.
• Research and Independence: Students independently gather data from real sources such as apartment listings, grocery prices, salary data, and loan calculators.
• Reflection and Metacognition: Students reflect on what they learned, what surprised them, and how math impacts real-life decisions.

This is a long-term project completed over several class periods, with daily goals to help students stay organized and successful. 

Our goal is not only to strengthen math skills, but also to help students develop life skills such as financial responsibility, planning ahead, and critical thinking—key components of Gifted & Talented instruction.

Did you know? 

GT students started the first ever Ponder Junior High Newsletter! We will be sending it out bi-weekly. We are also looking for new ideas to put in the newsletter. 

Newsletters 

January Newsletter (January 6-22)