Gifted and Talented

  

Chad Morris

Gifted and Talented Specialist

SWAEC/SCSC

chad.morris@swaec.org

(870) 777-3076 ext 121



The following information on Gifted Education, web addresses, and enrichment lessons are for GT teachers, GT Students, and Parents of gifted children to use.  Please use as needed and feel free to contact me, Chad Morris at chad.morris@swaec.org if you have any questions or ideas. 

IMportant dATES FOR SWAEC AND SCSC GT COORDINATORS



Upcoming SWAEC/SCSC Student Competitions



Quiz Bowl


Our SWAEC/SCSC 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade quiz bowls will be held virtually this year due to scheduling conflicts.  The link below will take you to a google doc for you to sign up. This is a live doc, so just put your name and your school by the time slot that you prefer.  If the doc will not allow you to  insert your information, contact me and I will fill it in for you (chad.morris@swaec.org).  Each team will play a total of 2 games, so each session should last about an hour. Please contact me if you have any questions.


2024 SWAEC/SCSC Quiz Bowl Sign up doc


3rd -4th grade - March 25th-April 5th

5th-6th grade - April 8th - 19th




Star Wars Quiz Bowl (Virtual)


  Any student from 3rd grade to 12th can make up your team.  All games will be held virtual (I can come to your campus and we can play face to face if you need me to).  Pick a time and date on the google doc provided below:

Star Wars Quiz Bowl Sign up doc 


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




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.


SCSC - 5/8/24

SWAEC - 5/9/24




Paper Roller Coaster Challenge 


SWAEC - 5/20/24








GT Announcements



DESE Gifted and Talented Information and Resource Links

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




2024 SWAEC/SCSC GT Summer PD Offerings


SWAEC Program Work Day - TBD

SCSC Program Work Day - TBD




Helpful AP Links

The Following links are provided by College Board for AP Teachers, Students, and Parents of AP students to help them throughout the 2023/2024 school year. 


If you are needing AP training this summer, here is the information for APSI Little Rock


APSI link - UA Little Rock

Attention Parents of Gifted Students

The following websites contain a few ideas of some great enrichment activities that you could do with your child at home.  

Rube Goldberg Machine

Have them construct a "Rube Goldberg Machine." If your not sure what that is, check out this link: 

boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/159359/how-to-make-a-rube-goldberg-machine/ 

Smithsonian Virtual Tour

How about a virtual tour.  The Smithsonian has a few virtual tours online that cover a wide variety of topics.

www.si.edu/ 

Old Statehouse Museum

How about taking this time to get them interested in some cool topics that pertain to our state.  The Old State House museum has some of the most interesting exhibits that you can view online and I believe they have a virtual tour.  Check out their online information:

www.oldstatehouse.com/ 

Enrichment Lessons

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.

The Mystery of The White River Monster

GT Enrichment Lesson


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

 





The History of 

St. PAtrick's Day

March GT Enrichment Lesson

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 



The history of Rudolph

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 



Friday the 13th Enrichment Lesson

November GT Enrichment Lesson

By

Chad Morris

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 

The REal Story of the First Thanksgiving

November GT Enrichment Lesson

By 

Chad Morris

When we think of Thanksgiving,  we usually have visions of Pilgrims wearing funny looking hats and big family gatherings.  But, when it comes to the actual historical account of the “First Thanksgiving,” the traditional story that we have all become accustomed to  does not match up exactly with what the Pilgrims went through and endured to give us one of our most celebrated American Holidays.  Set sail for this in depth enrichment lesson on the real story of the first Thanksgiving.  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 plan and the powerpoint.  Use as needed. 


Lesson Plan:  docs.google.com/document/d/1MGbDZbuY52XKc5wqYYJkOmYGX_mspv8_wD0cUPrrmdM/copy 


Powerpoint:  docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jWzvZdrqbXndTjW-FnMBALGd51H7SIfTHXDpN1jG3Tw/copy 



The Mystery behind the gurdon light

October GT Enrichment Lesson

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"

October GT Enrichment Lesson

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 



Breaking the Cemetery code

October GT Enrichment Lesson

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 



The Confusion About Christopher Columbus


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 

Arkansas History 

An Arkansas Movie Star, the Fouke Monster

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





Remembering 9/11

September GT Enrichment Lesson


The following activities can be used for enrichment lessons associated with Patriot’s Day or lessons dealing with remembering 9/11.  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. 



Chad Morris

Gifted and Talented Specialist

SWAEC/SCSC 

(870)777-3076 ext 121

chad.morris@swaec.org