Brainstorming Books ... A collection of brainstorming activities designed to be used as group work. Set a timer and let them at it! These fun activities consist of word problems, math activities, brain puzzlers, and more.

  Thinkers! ... A collection of challenges for students who finish their assignments early. These can be used as independent challenges or as group challenges.

Ladybug Math Race ... This fun, challenging math race game is available with your paid subscription. It includes a race worksheet and a set of ladybug cards with varied numbers of spots. The students are given directions to count a particular ladybug's spots, then add it to one or more others, subtract one from the other, or, depending on the students' skills... multiply or divide. The game was created to be played in groups. Once the students are familiar with the worksheet, directions can be given orally to make the game more challenging. Click Here to see a sample page.

Group story writing

Story starter ideas

At home/in class research challenges

Literature contracts

Creative Problem Solving for literature

Student Contracts ... Getting students interested in research and writing is always a challenge. One way that is suggested by leaders in Gifted Education is to offer students a contract, giving them choices for a particular project. I use a contract to extend our literature experiences. These contracts can be used for stories that the students read together as a class or group, or for stories that you read aloud to them. For example, if the story your class reads is about an Indian tribe, you would offer a contract that gives the students three choices for a writing assignment and three choices for a drawing or other hands-on activity. Examples of writing choices: 1) Write a paragraph that describes the cultural differences between the Indian tribe in our story with another Indian tribe of your choice. 2) Write a paragraph that compares the main character in the story to the character traits. What are some of the things he/she does to show good character. Examples of hands-on choices:  1) Draw a picture map of the Indian tribe's village. 2) Build a totem pole, canoe, etc. from various art materials. I usually give the students three choices for each and ask them to rank their choices. I then try to give them at least one of their #1 choices as I group the students into groups of four to work on these projects together. The students work together to brainstorm ideas about their writing selections (all students within the group work on the same projects) and activity projects, but they must each do a separate writing/activity piece. The students then present their final projects to the class as a group. When finished with the presentation, the other students may ask questions. All literature created contracts will be included in your subscription, as they become available throughout the year.

For more information about CONTRACTS, click to this link.

Group Story Writing ( Sample ) Sometimes something "unique" is needed to get kids to write. Try this fun lesson...give each student a copy of the group story paper. Ask them to write only one sentence that fits the story starter at the top of the page. Then, have them crumple the paper, toss it into a designated area, and then grab another. Each student will then have to build off the previous writer's sentence(s). Continue with this until the page is filled. Then, have the students rewrite the story, using whichever paper for which they wrote the final sentence. They usually have comments like, "This doesn't make sense," or "I don't like this sentence," or "I don't like this part..." At that point, tell them to take ownership and edit the work. As an extension, the students can read the final story aloud. There are 15 unique group story activity papers available on the site!

CPS... Read a picture book to your class, but STOP right after the problem has been introduced and then ask your students to work in groups to identify what the problem really is. Set a time limit of about five minutes to decide on just ONE problem, having everyone within the group agree. After they have identified that one problem, ask them to now work on what they think a good solution would be for the problem. Set the criteria...for example, "The only criteria is that you must use the story characters to solve the problem." Allow them ten to fifteen minutes to come up with as many unique solutions as possible. When this part is finished they must choose their three best answers...they can vote on which to choose, or you can again set some criteria for them. When they have decided on the three solutions they believe to be best, have them use a rubric to filter each solution. The solution that gets the highest points using the rubric is the one the group must choose as their final solution, even if they don't think it is the best one. Then, they must work together to figure out possible things that could go wrong, etc. Once they have all of their answers, ask each group to share their thoughts about the problem and solution. By this time they are usually very anxious to find out the problem and its solution by having you read the end of the story. 

Challenge Research... Why not compact your gifted/advanced students work and allow them the opportunity to research a topic of interest and then present it to the class. You might be amazed at what you learn, too! For more information on compacting, click to this link.

At Home Learning Challenge...  Offer these learning challenges as optional projects.   Click here for sample  Many of these challenges are available with a paid subscription. Click here

Tangrams or Pattern Blocks... Have a supply of these on hand at the back of the room along with some challenging activities to be used with the Tangrams & Pattern Blocks. My kids have become masters at recreating the shapes. Many free resources are available online for use with Tangrams & pattern blocks. 

Analogies... Challenge them with an Analogy of the Day. Start out with some easy ones and add progressively harder ones! There are many books available! 

Math Challenge of the Day... Have a thought provoking math question on hand for those who finish their work early. 

Have great games on hand for PAT (Preferred Activity Time) Some of our favorite games (available in most teacher stores or online): 

APPLES TO APPLES        

BLINK

BLOKUS

EQUATE

JURASSIC JUMBLE

LETTER FLIP

MAKE 7

MY WORD 

QUIDDLER  Official site for Set/Quiddler...Online quizzes available here!

SET

STARE

SQUINT