Jared Kitchens’ gifted and talented class is learning in a unique way through an exploration unit.
Maps, globes, and biographies of explores line the walls of Jared Kitchen’s third and fourth grade gifted and talented program.
Each year, the class focuses on an in depth theme to enrich student learning. This year, the class is delving into an investigative unit centered around a book called “How to Be an Explorer of the World” by Keri Smith. The book is described “as an interactive guide for exploring and documenting the art and science of everyday life.”
In addition to completing the guided journal, students will be studying real-life explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo. Students will also construct salt dough maps, fill “explorer bags”, and integrate creative writing projects throughout the unit.
Throughout the class, fourth grader Hannah Woodward was diligently decorating her explorer bag (an intricate folder for upcoming projects) with scrapbook paper, washi tape, and stickers.
“My favorite part about this class so far has been the treasure hunt we went on last week,” described Woodward.
“We had to pick out a took and a clue that we followed all over the school to find a treasure box. My treasure box was about spelunking, so I got to learn about cave explorers!”
Students will culminate the year with an adventurous field trip.
