All, but one, of these students, is fourth grade age. Our classroom uses a teaching plan, especially designed for gifted students, called The Autonomous Learner Model. Next, we move toward building new learning skills , and other interpersonal skills. Activity lists are prepared for children to choose activities, which will meet specific objectives. Simulations are group activities designed to simulate real life, thus making the lessons more realistic, relevant, and exciting.
Simulations are group-building lessons which often introduce important new skills.
New learning skills are introduced and often reinforced as we begin to move toward the goal of becoming autonomous learners. We introduce the concept of exploration of new subject areas that are unfamiliar to us as individuals. An exploration may only last one or two days, and will often result in new knowledge being shared with the rest of the class. Investigations culminate in a group or individual project, being shared with the class, to teach other students what one has learned. We have Spanish, art, music, physical education and science twice a week in addition to all of our other studies.