Gifted Curriculum Unit Planning Guide
Topic / (Example- Space)Issue / (Example- Should we continue Space Exploration?)
Related Standards / 3rd, 4th, 5th grade science
Intro Activities / List-Sort-Generalize (Taba) Quick Debate Sculpt/Draw a Concept
KWL Fact or Fiction Concept Map
Need to Know Board Quotes
Research
Reading / Gather relevant materials and articles for students to explore, read, and research.
Critical Thinking / Depth and Complexity (Kaplan)
Big Ideas
Unanswered Questions
Structure/Order
Patterns
Controversies/Ethics
Trends (influences)
Change over Time
Multiple Perspectives
Across Disciplines / Jacob’s Ladder (StambaughVanTassel-Baska)
A3- Implications/Consequences
A2-Cause-Effect
A1- Sequence
D3- Creative Synthesis
D2- Summarize
D3- Paraphrase
Scientific Method / Cause-Effect Forecasting Make many varied predictions about the causes of a situation.
Make many varied predictions about the effects of a situation.
Evaluation(Bloom)
Should? What criteria?
Creative Thinking / Creative Process (Torrence)
-Think of many ideas…
-Think of varied ideas….
-Think of unusual ideas…
-Add to your ideas to make them better
SCAMPER (Eberle)
What if we
Substitute?
Combine?
Adapt?
Minimize? Maximize?
Put to other use?
Eliminate?
Reverse/Rearrange? / Problem-Solving (FPSI)
- Identify multiple problems. (see forecasting)
- What is the main problem?
- How might we solve the main problem in multiple ways? (Who will do what, how?)
- What questions must we ask to choose the best solution? (which solution will best…?)
- Choose decision.
- Write detailed action plan (who, what, when, where, how)
Make a list of questions ___ might ask_____
Analogy Comparisons
How is___ like___? / 6 Hats (DeBono)
- White- What are the facts?
- Yellow- What are the benefits?
- Black- What are the flaws?
- Red- How do you feel?
- Green- What are other possibilities? New ideas?
- Blue- Summarizes ideas, draws conclusions.
- List all…
- Compare/Contrast
- What would happen if
- Would you rather…?
- How would you feel if you were…?
- Why?
- How?
Concept / How does this relate to a change generalization? A pattern generalization?
List, Sort, Generalize
Product Options
(Stambaugh)
PRODUCT reveal PROCESS / Create a
prezi, powerpoint, monologue, poster, brochure, skit, i-movie, model, game etc.
Include content parameters (facts, details). / That
and
Persuades
Ranks
Most important
Explains why
Another perspective
What might happen if… / Other ideas
Fact or Fiction Book
Soundtrack
7 abstract symbols
Song
Analogies
ABC Book
Examples:
Create a monologue from the perspective of a black hole. Teach the class about 5 important and interesting facts about black holes. Include at least 3 unanswered questions about black holes and how our understanding of black holes has changed over time. Make a list of questions a black hole might ask the sun.
Create a product of your choice explaining important factual information that that includes two of the following additions:
- CONSEQUENCES- Explains three long-term consequences of the issue.
- CAUSES- Explains three significant causes of the issue.
- PERSPECTIVE- Shows the perspectives of at least two stakeholders’ points of view.
- SOLUTION- Offers a detailed solution to the issue (who will do what, how it works)
- INVENT- Uses or creates a new technology or invention to address the issue.
- PERSUADE- Persuades others or raises awareness about the issue.
- CHANGE- Relate the question to a change generalization (e.g., “Change can be evolutionary or revolutionary.”)
Sample Rubric
Excellent / Adequate / Below ExpectationsComplete / All project components are complete. / Most project components are complete. / Project is not complete.
Research / Research is thorough and addresses the content / Research is adequate and addresses the content / Research is inadequate and does not address content
Content / Content is clear, organized, and easy to understand / Content is adequate and somewhat organized / Content in incomplete.
Visually Appealing / Product is visually appealing, neat, and free of errors / Product is adequately visually appealing; some minor errors / Product is messy or unorganized
Creativity / Product creatively conveys your learning – it is not just a rehash of ideas. / Product shows some inventiveness and creativity / There is little evidence of fresh thought- it is simply a rehash of others’ ideas.
Thinking / Demonstrates sophisticated thinking (synthesis, analysis, evaluation) / Demonstrates adequate connections (synthesis, analysis, evaluation) / Does not demonstrates complexity of thought.
Overall
Created by Dr. Emily Mofield, Sumner County Schools Gifted Services