At the start of the
quarter, we revisited the concept of advocacy.
We reviewed the idea that advocacy is about
having and using your voice to respectfully communicate your needs (or a
need) to others in order to meet the need(s) or solve a problem. In reviewing this
concept, we
also revisited the notions that there is a right time and place to advocate
and that advocating doesn’t always give you the desired result. Students were then
presented with real world examples of individuals who advocated for causes in which they believed. Examples of some individuals explored are
Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks,
Thurgood Marshall, Susan B. Anthony, and Maggie Walker. Using information
learned about these advocates students were given voice and choice to create a product about
their selected advocate. That product
could have been a one-pager, a video, a poster, or
mind map. Students could also petition
their classroom teacher to produce another product. The product portion was done by students in
grades 2 and 5.
Advocacy will be a reoccurring
theme (big idea) throughout the remainder of the year.
For grades 2-3, the
gifted benchmarks to be addressed with advocacy are-
·
Gifted students will create their own
examples and non-examples of a concept.
·
Gifted students will make connections
among concepts and issues.
·
Gifted students will adapt an idea to a
new situation.
For grades 4-5, the
gifted benchmarks to be addressed with advocacy are-
·
Gifted students will demonstrate reflection
in their thinking.
·
Gifted
students will complete self-assessments.