Working with gifted students on these projects can be especially satisfying. These projects were designed to be done in the media center or the classroom. Keep a good rapport with your media specialist. The library or media center is an essential facility and should be accessible to the students and teachers. Where they are available, an arts-and-crafts room, darkroom, music room, gymnasium, or shop facility could also be incorporated to enhance the effectiveness of this program in meeting individual student needs for education and creative expression.

Work with the students on oral reporting skills. They should be encouraged to use good posture and to speak clearly and loudly enough to be understood and heard by all. Encourage them to tell about the projects in his or her own words rather than read word-for word from a report so that the audience does not loose interest.

Work with the students so that they are a polite, respectful and attentive audience when they are not presenting. It is important to squelch or eliminate promptly any negativism from other students at any time; otherwise, your goal of giving positive recognition to able and ambitious or gifted students will be defeated. These students are sensitive to peer opinion and are susceptible to the jealousy and resentment of other students who cannot or who choose not to perform well scholastically or creatively. Stress the worth of the students’ contribution to the class and to everyone’s learning, but do not present gifted students as a standard to which other students should strive to emulate.

Capitalize on individual interests and abilities. The children will be more motivated if a project is of their own choosing. In younger grades, however, teacher guidance is helpful until the students learns how the program works.

This is meant to be a fun program! The benefits derived from it will greatly outweigh the efforts needed to make it a successful part of the school’s educational program.

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Grades 1-5.