Attention GT Coordinators and Teachers! 

August 25th is the date for our DESE Statewide GT Coordinator Zoom.  We will have a group viewing of the zoom at SCSC in Camden on the 25th.  We will have an "After The DESE Zoom" meeting at SWAEC in Hope on August 28th.  To register for either sessions, use the session numbers below:

SCSC (Camden)- 8/25/2023 - #512694

SWAEC (Hope) - 8/28/2023 - #512786

SCSC AGQBA Quiz Bowl Coaches Meeting - 9/5/23 - #513837

SWAEC AGQBA Quiz Bowl Coaches Meeting - 9/12/23 - #513488

SCSC/SWAEC -DESE AP Coordinator Statewide Zoom - Attending at SWAEC use #514785 to register.  Zooming from your ditrict campus, use - escWorks (Session 514728)

DESE Gifted and Talented Information and Resource Links

docs.google.com/document/d/1ru8ozms-fbfCIfI2wDbwiycuWacslbrpOb6u9gfaO60/edit 

In this session, students will gain a unique perspective of the history, geography, and lifestyle of Arkansas through an in-depth look at a few of our Arkansas legends and myths.  This year our focus will be on the "Ghost Lights of Arkansas." Mysteries will be discussed and analyzed and multiple theories will be presented as possible explanations for the mysterious phenomenon in our state.  Students will then have an opportunity to do a little research and decide which theory they believe is the best, or come up with their own theory as to why the phenomenon is occurring.  Join us virtually, via Zoom, for this very interesting and eerie look at our state. 

Email me to reserve your date and time.  I will enter names by the dates that have been taken.

Pick a time slot below on an available date:

• October 4th - AM: Eldorado/Katie King - PM :Genoa 4th grade/Molly Teague

• October 6th - AM: or PM: Genoa 6th Grade/ Molly Teague

• October 11th - AM: or PM: Magnolia 4th  1:30/Cassidy Smith

• October 12th - AM: or PM: Stong-Huttig/B. Goldsby & Magnolia 5th grade - Cassidy Smith

• October 18th - AM: Eldorado 6th grade/Katie King - PM: 

• October 19th - AM: Hampton/Cathey  -  PM: 

• October 20th - AM:  or PM: Fouke 4th Grade/Emily Crabtree

• October 25th - AM: Smackover/3-5th - Hannah bailey  - PM: 

• October 26th - AM: Prescott/Trucker or PM: Harris Elementary/Tracy Harris

• October 30th - AM: Lafayette County/Ward or PM: College Station Elementary - Tracy Harris

• October 31st - AM: Blevins/Rogers - PM:

contact me now to sign your students up for this opportunity!!!!

For more information, contact Chad Morris - chad.morris@swaec.org 

Upcoming SWAEC/SCSC Student Competitions

Vlog Competition - 

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Chess

  Divisions - Senior High 9th-12th

    Junior High 7th-8th

            Elementary 5th-6th & 3rd-4th

SCSC Dates - 

SWAEC Dates - ____________________________________

Superheroes Mixtape Quiz Bowl (Virtual)

Email me to reserve your date and time.  I will enter names by the dates that have been taken.

Pick a time slot below on an available date:

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Rubik’s Cube Competition

Age Divisions:  Team - 6th-8th

  Team - 9th-12th

  Solo - 6th-8th

  Solo - 9th-12th

If you have 1st-5th grade students that can solve a cube, they can compete in the 6th-8th grade Team and Solo competitions.

Rubik’s Cube Open Invitational

 Open to any student in Arkansas

Age Divisions:  Team - 6th-8th

          Team - 9th-12th

          Solo - 6th-8th

          Solo - 9th-12th

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Quiz Bowl

Age Divisions: Senior High - 10th-12th

Junior High - 8th-9th

  7th grade

Elementary - 3rd,4th,5th,&6th

SCSC Dates

SWAEC Dates   

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Star Wars Quiz Bowl (Virtual)

Email me to reserve your date and time.  I will enter names by the dates that have been taken.

Pick a time slot below on an available date:

We will announce the winners via zoom on May 4th ( May the fourth be with you )

The following lessons are enrichments lessons that can be used with students.  Please use as needed and above all, have some fun with these lessons.

With it’s 2,400 named lakes and 33 different rivers and streams, it's no wonder why we refer to Arkansas as “The Natural State.” Because of our state’s plentiful water sources, we have some of the most amazing ecosystems that support an abundant wildlife population here in Arkansas.  From the animals that live in our vast forests to the aquatic species found in our lakes and rivers, our state has some of the most interesting wildlife imaginable.  Unfortunately, the people of the town of Newport, would probably disagree with that last statement.  They have had a mysterious resident that has made its home in their area of the White River since the late 1800s that the good people of Newport are not too sure about.  This elusive creature is better known as the White River Monster.  Is there really a monster in the waters of the White River, or is it a case of some aquatic creature that has been misidentified.  Let’s take a journey into this Arkansas legend to see if we can formulate our own opinions of what could be in the water there in Newport Arkansas.  This enrichment lesson can be used with grade levels ranging from 3rd grade to 12th grade.  Click on the links below to make a copy of the lesson plan and the powerpoint.  Use as needed. 

Lesson Plan:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RnnYSFjz9Cp0LHfpHHoqzichiT4h03klSvuvVjKeQUI/copy

Powerpoint:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iTToVlx5EA69X3nvFaarQdQwunRoIC1QhD3J8j9ZP18/copy

When we think of St. Patrick’s day, we usually have visions of leprechauns and funny looking green hats.   If you really think about it, we do some unusual things when we celebrate this holiday.   Believe it or not,  there is more to St. Patrick’s day than painting yourself green and pinching those unfortunate people that forgot to put their green on.  St. Patrick’s day actually has a pretty interesting history.  So, let’s take a dive into St. Patrick’s day and explore what makes this such a special holiday in our country. 

This week long differentiated lesson can be modified to be used with Primary and Secondary grades.  Click on the links provided below, and then make a copy to access the powerpoint and the google doc that you will need for the lesson. Use as needed. 

Click on the link below to access the Lesson plan for this lesson:

docs.google.com/document/d/1uaRHLnJOFKT17ICDfZvqH3T0IPsOqkztz6wVQgC8e7Y/copy 

Click on the link below to access the power point presentation for this lesson: 

docs.google.com/presentation/d/16_R-Rh3zq_rGDZmpP1wK_uDVAeu-LFqXa4zY6UvNtKg/copy 

December GT Enrichment Lesson

By

Chad Morris

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?  Well of course we know Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, he’s the most famous reindeer of all!  Did you know that Rudolph actually has a pretty interesting story to how he became the most famous reindeer of all?  This differentiated lesson can be modified to be used with grades 4-12.  Click on the links provided below, and then make a copy to access the powerpoint and the google doc that you will need for the lesson. Use as needed. 

Powerpoint: docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E1ghti___OvyUYU2QT6QRgGuw9_3iYs6uxMCcLx4S00/copy 

Google Doc: docs.google.com/document/d/1tbua850YTF6IwiCRaSJhwbhmQKnzXuzas7RCDD5X_14/copy 

Americans have a tendency to be a little superstitious today, even though we are a country that leads the world in technological advances and medical breakthroughs.  Friday the 13th is a day that is related to bad luck.  Believe it or not, there is a little history associated with this so called “Bad Luck Day!” Take a journey with us as we explore this mysterious date on our calendar. This differentiated lesson can be modified to be used with grades 4-12.  Click on the links provided below, and then make a copy to access powerpoint and the google docs that you will need for the lesson. Use as needed. 

Powerpoint: docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Q3VT3diiwwqgME6Gho7ak3F0u11xuv7qStTjkYrFRPU/copy 

Superstition Recording Sheet: docs.google.com/document/d/10rjEqUq4JE5vlPaR3z4oBOk88zPd4ldY7K1dFjYGuS8/copy 

Research Assignment Sheet:docs.google.com/document/d/1-inzWGiXo1ybt7zCi3j_1OJ3gsI6td1FiQN4-FIgGbk/copy 

Our state has a very rich and important history.  But what about the history that pertains to the legends and myths that make the state of Arkansas so unique.  The link below is a GT Enrichment Lesson centered around the mystery of the Gurdon Light.  This differentiated lesson can be modified to be used with grades 4-12 and includes subjects that range from Arkansas History to Science.  Click on the links provided below, and then make a copy to access the lesson and the powerpoint for the lesson.  I hope you enjoy this investigation into one of our state's most famous mysteries. 

Lesson Plan:  docs.google.com/document/d/1z2KtCUFBtG4xMOMYZ32sxyh1ucaRKFJSLfn-JN72WDU/copy 

Powerpoint:  docs.google.com/presentation/d/1muW1FMLV3iZqlpf2hbeNALatmGo0UQfeG6Zs3vDkc0M/copy 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of America’s most beloved Halloween tales.  It was written in 1820 by Washington Irving as a part of 34 short story essays that was titled The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon.  Irving’s story inspired movies, Halloween Customs, and even a town to change its name.  In this enrichment lesson, we will explore some of the history, mysteries, and literature aspects of this famous story.  This lesson can be adapted for use with 5th - 12th grade students. Use as needed and have some fun.  There is a powerpoint that goes along with this lesson that you can use as a visual when you are presenting the day by day activities. Click on the links below to make a copy of the lesson.  Use as needed. 

Lesson Plan:  docs.google.com/document/d/1o-pf0ux_BevWLhaEW_BElkCaYN9_tm5hz2mUZPHCXUA/copy 

Powerpoint:  docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AGBQ3e9wafnrCQxSzs-R_GghGZ_JqJytu92KiqYpW2Y/copy 

The following activities can be used for enrichment lessons associated with coding and decoding symbols found on cemetery headstones.  Lessons could be adapted for grade levels ranging from 3rd grade to 8th grade but are geared more towards Secondary level classes.   Click on the links below to make a copy of the lesson.  Use as needed. 

LessonPlan: docs.google.com/document/d/1KZSWIdimfwa6fOHmD8GWugF-iRa1Q010kQf9gwLRFHY/copy 

Powerpoint: docs.google.com/presentation/d/10ZMg-kYMLE8KENY-4acqCbGj-uOcaP536A_mq30YlL0/copy 

Cemetery Code Breaking Form:  docs.google.com/document/d/1tNydFH7YVV9YvMLJYwmlYBhTopevX8rUz4jsuO_Vxlo/copy 

October GT Enrichment Lesson

The following activities can be used for enrichment lessons associated with Columbus Day or lessons pertaining to  Columbus.  Lessons could be adapted for grade levels ranging from 3rd grade to 8th grade.  Click on the links below to make a copy of the lesson.  Use as needed. 

Lesson PLan: docs.google.com/document/d/1AUkSTaH1gKutc1_hoBoDy6utPikYPLjNyH8A4j1W2lQ/copy 

Powerpoint: docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vZcNg810YQV7e0mbHWacvyRdSG2tfw4OfdmzrWJ-sxs/copy 

One thing that Arkansas has an abundance of is famous people.  Our state is famous for producing some of the biggest names in music, politics, literature, military history, cinema, and sports.  The list of Arkansas natives includes Mya Angelou, Douglas MacArthur, Johnny Cash, Bill Clinton, Scottie Pippen, John Grisham, and Bear Bryant as well as many others.  But there is one famous Arkansan who has graced the silver screen, as well as TV shows and magazine articles.  You won’t see him conducting any interviews because he is the king of social distancing.  Who is this elusive Arkansas native, well I’m referring to the Fouke Monster of course.

   Whether it is truth or myth, the Fouke monster has received national as well as global interest, giving Arkansas one more aspect to its interesting state history.  The following enrichment lesson is an interesting look at Arkansas History. Click on the link below to make a copy of the lesson.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fDXrbXY2f0eLA29LWkcUuFJaEsbHMu4VvuXlbd2wB0c/copy

Lesson Plan:  docs.google.com/document/d/1FCsMriIw-7t7WFAeIgG33-BV1z413aEVs3Rs8SLTfvE/copy 

Powerpoint: docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ETueB4WalvGECN-69b9dcKHwx7V5rYKtOku-Ymotrso/copy