Teaching Them to Fish

Independent Study

THE GIFTED GUY

Learning Objectives

To see the benefits of using independent study with gifted children

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To understand the structure you might use when doing an independent study

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To know skills students are going to need to do independent study in the classroom

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To understand the various models that can be used for independent study

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Gifted students don’t need more work, they need more meaningful work

Important to remember

Reasons to do independent study

I’m done with all of my work. What do I do now?

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I already know all of this.

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I love learning about...

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Advantages for Gifted Students

Teaches other executive functioning skills

Chance to be creative

Let’s them pursue their thoughts deeply

Gives students choice

Teaches students be more self-directed

Increases motivation

Focuses thoughts into a product that must be understood by others

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Allows them to pursue passions

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Independent Study is an alternative instructional strategy whereby students work independently, according to a written agreement, and under the supervision of a teacher(s). Parents and family members provide additional support for their student as needed.

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Defintion

Can take all sorts of forms

long-term vs. short-term

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during school vs.

out of school

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curricular related vs. special interests

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02

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Different strategies

Traditional Independent Study

Course design and instruction

Podcast and/or webinar instruction

Journal and/or study groups. Meet with one or more persons at specified times to discuss pre-assigned relevant materials

Different strategies

Literature review

Professional visitation

Clinical case studies/ record review

Other

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Corners

Students through a pre-assessment have the option to test out of the unit of study. If they receive a 92% or higher on the pre-test that covers the learning objectives.

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If a student does test out, they can choose an independent project of their choice to work on.

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Students will decide what project they will be working on and how they will manage the block of time afforded to them.

Science

• Build a small-scale roller coaster out of everyday items and objects.
• Start or improve on a recycling or compost program in your school or neighborhood
• Track weather and storms for a particular area.

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English

• Continue work on a research paper you have started on a topic of interest
• Write a play, novel, or series of short stories, create a children's book (complete with illustrations for those who are artistically inclined).
• Create a Facebook or other social media account for a book character. What would their status updates look like, who would their friends be, and what pages or posts would they 'like'?
• Create a soundtrack or score for a famous novel, or individual playlists for main characters.

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History/Social Studies

Create a Constitution for the modern United States, start an awareness campaign for an issue that is meaningful to you, or choose a historical event and look at its effect on our world today.

Art

Create a portfolio of paintings, drawings, or sculptures, try your hand at photography, or recreate famous works of art in various ways using household materials, volunteers, etc.

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Technology

• Design a website or app, create an Internet security program, or work out a plan for a video game, a robot, or even a new invention.
• Learn more about web page design and programming language.

Genius Hour

20time

Passion Project

STRUCTURE

Ingredients needed for successfull indenpendent study

Choice

Opportunity

Space

Skills/Tools

Trust

Reflection

Access

Resources

• Passion
• Plan
• Pitch
• Project
• Product
• Presentation

6 Ps of Passion Projects

PASSION

Essential questions

• What is something you have wanted to learn about or know before you graduate from high school that your schooling did not provide?
• What is something you have always wanted to learn how to do before you go out into the adult world of post-high school?
• Is there such thing as learning for learning sake or does there always have to be a reward for learning?
• Is it easier to learn something that one is passionate about than is chosen for them?
• Does the end of your senior year in high school have to flicker out with a sputter or can you go out strong with a sense you really learned something valuable at the end?

Getting them started

• Choose something that interests you - Select a topic/subject that will continue to interest and inspire you.
• Pick something challenging - Choosing something unique will allow for exciting opportunities for growth.
• Go as broad and deep as you want - When it comes to independent study opportunities, there are no limits to what you can achieve and learn, so don't be afraid to really dive into a subject. Take risks.

PLAN

The structure

Must have a way to keep students focused and as a point of conversation when you sit down to talk with them.

1. Contract

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2. Calendnar

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3. Rubric

PITCH

PROJECT

Role of the teacher

Check-ins

Teach skills

Find resources

Stay out of way

Status conference

Mmaintenance reviews, checking in with the group and making sure they are where they need to be in regard to the calendar and deadlines.

This involves the teacher and students sitting down with the calendar and seeing where exactly the group is.

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Process conference

What have we done well so far?

What do we want to improve for the future?

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Design conference

This is the teacher/project manager carving out some time for students to be able to evaluate the final product before its due date and make improvements.

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Types of conferences

What skills are going to valuable for doing an independent study?

the skill:

• Can you find what you need to find?
• What does a proper internet search look like?
• Can you determine what a credible source looks like?
• Do you know how to integrate this information?
• Can you detect bias?

Research skills

the skill:

Note-taking

• How do you capture information?
• Can you organize your notes so that you can find what you need to?
• How do you cite that information later on in your research?
• What does studying your notes look like?
• How do you put things into your own words?

the skill:

Interviewing/asking questions

• How do you secure the interview?
• What sort of questions do you need to ask?
• Are you prepared to ask follow up questions?
• How do you behave in a professional manner?
• How do you integrate this information into your work?

the skill:

Problem solving

• How do you overcome a problem that has stopped the proess?
• Have you considered multiple possibilities?
• Was does adaptaing or compromising look like?
• When it is time to give up on something?
• How do you improve your overall work?

Valuable resources

Experts

Local University

Websites

Mentors

Libraries

Advice

Articles

Community

PRODUCT

PRESENTATION

Takeaways

Takeaway 1

Takeaway 2

Independent study is a good way for students to explore further and deeper or to pursue their passions.

Takeaway 3

There are various types of independent study so finding the correct format for the correct situation is important.

Having a clear structure as well as teaching skills becomes the main role of the teacher during an independent study.