Lincoln Elementary School

Welcome to Lincoln School Gifted and Talented!

Our Gifted and Talented Program nurtures advanced thinkers with exciting challenges that deepen critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. Students explore STEAM extensions, enrichment projects, and opportunities to lead, question, and create.

About our Program

Program Goals:

Extend learning beyond classroom activities
Develop higher-order thinking and problem solving
Foster creativity and collaboration
Support social-emotional growth of advanced learners
Adresses Second and Third Grade learners

Second Grade Units

Ancient Egypt

In this interdisciplinary unit, students travel back in time to explore the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt. Students investigate the geography of Egypt, the importance of the Nile River, and the lives of pharaohs and ancient civilizations. Through hands-on activities and research, students learn how ancient Egyptians communicated using hieroglyphics and create their own cartouche using symbolic writing.Students explore important cultural practices such as mummification through a science experiment and learn about pyramids and how they were constructed. They design and build models of pyramids, create Egyptian artifacts, and research objects that might belong in an Ancient Egyptian museum. Throughout the unit, students document their discoveries using digital reflections and presentations.Key Learning Experiences

Mapping Egypt and studying the Nile River
Decoding and creating hieroglyphics
Mumification science experiment
Designing a sarcophagus and Egyptian artifacts
Building a pyramid model
Research and digital reflections

Fossils

In the Fossils unit, students step into the role of paleontologists and archaeologists as they explore how fossils help us understand life from long ago. Students learn how fossils are formed and what they can tell us about plants and animals that lived in the past.Through hands-on investigations, students create different types of fossils including impression fossils and mineral replacement fossils. They practice excavation techniques by participating in simulated fossil digs and carefully uncovering hidden artifacts using real excavation tools. Students record observations, reflect on the excavation process, and share discoveries with their peers.Key Learning Experiences

Investigating what fossils are and how they form
Creating impression and mineral replacement fossils
Conducting a fossil excavation dig
Practicing observation and data recording
Writing reflections about scientific discoveries

Economics

In this unit, students explore the basics of economics and how money, goods, and services affect everyday life. Students learn about producers and consumers, the concept of scarcity, and how people make decisions about spending and saving money.Through engaging activities, students sort goods and services, analyze how products are made using assembly lines, and investigate the resources needed to produce everyday items. Students also participate in a classroom auction to experience supply and demand. The unit concludes with students designing and presenting their own mock businesses.Key Learning Experiences

Understanding goods and services
Identifying producers and consumers
Learning about resources and production
Exploring supply and demand through an auction activity
Creating and presenting a student-designed business

Author Study: Mo Willems (Reading & Writing)

During this literacy-focused unit, students explore the work of children’s author Mo Willems and examine the elements that make his stories engaging and humorous. Students read and discuss several of his popular books while analyzing characters, themes, and storytelling techniques.Students compare and contrast stories, explore character emotions and problem-solving, and develop their own creative writing inspired by the author’s style. Activities include writing letters to the author, imagining new story lines for familiar characters, and creating original stories based on illustrations.Key Learning Experiences

Reading and discussing popular Mo Willems stories
Comparing and analyzing characters and themes
Writing letters and story ideas inspired by the books
Creating original stories using illustrations
Exploring storytelling techniques and writer’s craft

Third Grade Units

Architecture

In this engineering-focused unit, students explore the world of architecture, design, and construction. Students investigate how structures are built and learn how architects and engineers design spaces that are safe, functional, and inclusive for everyone.Using the engineering design process, students research playground structures and simple machines before designing and building their own model playground prototype. Their designs must include features such as bridges and accessible equipment that allow all children to play. Students collaborate, test ideas, revise their designs, and present their finished playground models to members of the school community.Key Learning Experiences

Exploring architecture and structural design
Learning how simple machines work in playground equipment
Designing inclusive play spaces for all users
Building and testing playground prototypes
Presenting design solutions to an audience

Fairy Tales

In this literacy and creativity unit, students dive into the magical world of fairy tales. Students explore the characteristics of traditional fairy tales, including common themes, characters, magical elements, and story structures.Students compare traditional fairy tales with “fractured fairy tales,” which retell familiar stories from a different perspective or with a humorous twist. Through reading, discussion, and creative writing, students analyze characters’ motivations and explore how stories change when told from another point of view. The unit culminates with students writing and sharing their own original fractured fairy tale.Key Learning Experiences

Identifying elements of traditional fairy tales
Comparing classic and fractured fairy tales
Analyzing character motivations and themes
Writing original fairy tales with creative twists
Performing or presenting their stories to classmates

3D Printing and Software Building

In this technology and innovation unit, students explore how digital design and 3D printing can be used to solve real-world problems. Students learn how engineers and designers use computer software to create models that can be printed as physical objects.Students experiment with digital design tools, brainstorm creative solutions to everyday challenges, and design objects that can be produced using 3D printing technology. Through collaboration and problem-solving, students learn how technology can be used to turn ideas into real, tangible creations.Key Learning Experiences

Learning how 3D printing works
Designing objects using digital modeling software
Applying creativity and problem-solving to real-world challenges
Testing and refining design ideas
Presenting their technology-based solutions

Mock Trial

In this unit, students explore the fundamentals of the legal system and learn how trials help determine justice. Students examine the roles of judges, lawyers, jurors, and witnesses while learning key legal vocabulary and courtroom procedures.Using the familiar story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, students participate in a simulated trial where they analyze evidence, hear arguments from both sides, and determine a verdict as members of the jury. Through role-playing and discussion, students practice critical thinking, public speaking, and decision-making while exploring ideas of fairness and responsibility.Key Learning Experiences

Learning about the court system and legal roles
Understanding how trials work
Participating in a mock courtroom simulation
Practicing public speaking and persuasive arguments
Evaluating evidence and making fair decisions

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