Welcome to the SWAEC Student Enrichment Site.  The following information pertains to student enrichment opportunities that are provided by SWAEC.  My name is Chad Morris, and I am the SWAEC Student Enrichment Specialist.  On this site you will find information pertaining to when SWAEC will offer student enrichment opportunities, professional development sessions, and resources for parents and teachers to use.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions about any of our student enrichment opportunities that we are providing. For those outside the SWAEC consortium, there will be a registration fee for student enrichment activities and professional development sessions.  

DESE GT Coordinator Statewide Zoom

Thursday, August 29th - GT Statewide Zoom

Use this link to register in ESCWorks if you have not already registered:  www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=538869 

DESE AP Coordinator Statewide Zoom

Tuesday September 10th. 

Register for the session in escWorks (Session 539585).

SWAEC/AGQBA GT Quiz Bowl Coaches meeting 

Thursday, September 12 - 1:00-3:00

ESCWorks - #539056

• Eerie Arkansas for Students - October 1-31st

In this session, students will gain a unique perspective of the history, geography, and lifestyle of Arkansans through an in-depth look at Old Washington Historic State Park.  Students will be introduced to a few of Old Washington's ghostly residents as we explore the history of  this  living museum.  Students will gain an understanding of what life was like for Arkansans in the 1800s through the early 1900s.  We will also discuss the effects that the Civil War had on our state.  Special attention will be given to helping students develop questioning techniques and theories centered around why people believe they have had a paranormal experience in Historic Old Washington.  

Please email me at chad.morris@swaec.org to reserve a time for me to zoom/meet with your class.  Please indicate AM or PM.  There will be a session fee for all school Districts outside of the SWAEC consortium.  

• Oct. 1st  - 

• Oct. 2nd - 

• Oct. 3rd - 

• Oct. 4th - 

• Oct. 7th - 

• Oct. 10th - 

• Oct. 11th - 

• Oct. 16th - Magnolia - 9:40

• Oct. 17th - Magnolia - 1:30

• Oct. 18th - 

• Oct. 21st - 

• Oct. 22nd - 

• Oct. 23rd - Eldorado 8:45, Blevins 4th-6th grade - 2:30

• Oct. 24th - Blevins 7th-12th grades - 8:40

• Oct. 25th - Fouke Middle School - 12:30

• Oct. 28th - 

• Oct. 29th - Fouke - 1:30

• Oct 31st - Genoa Middle School - Afternoon

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 

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 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 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 

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