February 2008

Greetings Educators Guild Members!

Though it might be freezing where you are, summer is right around the corner and registration deadlines for camps and programs are quickly approaching!  Below are several options across the country for interested students.  Please keep in mind if these camps are not located near you, you are more than welcome to write to us at edguild@davidsongifted.org and we’d be happy to assist in finding one!  

• People to People World Leadership Forum – Washington, DC
• MathCamp – Oregon
• New York Film Academy Film and Acting School – New York
• Concordia Language Villages – Minnesota
• COSMOS California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science – California
• Young Writers Workshop – Connecticut
• MathPath – Vermont 
• Summer Science Program – California
• Men in Engineering and Computer Science Summer Camp – Ohio
• Girls State – Nationwide

WebQuests

A WebQuest is an inquiry-orientated activity in which all or most of the information used by learners is drawn from the Internet.  They are designed to utilize the learner’s time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support the learner’s thinking at levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. 

A Rubric for Evaluating WebQuests, San Diego State University

Here you'll find a ready-made template for scoring or evaluating student WebQuest projects, complete with scoring categories. Checklists with additional scoring criteria to evaluate project fine points are also provided.

I Was Part of the Movement (Language Arts: grades 9-12)
This WebQuest is designed to help students deepen their knowledge of the importance of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s by looking through the eyes of those that witnessed it first hand. It is hoped that it will also develop their computer skills and increase literacy. It is designed to celebrate and honor Black History Month.
 

The Civil Rights Struggle (Social Studies: grades 9-12)
This project engages students to build timelines that document the development of the civil rights movement in this country for public display.

A Black History Tour of Three Illinois Towns (Multidisciplinary: grades 3-5)
Students research Illinois history in three Illinois towns. They identify important people or events, and use this information to create a map, travel guide, and a poster promoting their Black History tour to the three towns of Alton, Cairo, and Springfield in Illinois. The students will also be required to reflect upon their research by writing a letter to the governor about which of the three Illinois towns they would choose to live in and why.

As always, if you are looking for assistance, ideas or resources, please feel free to contact us at edguild@davidsongifted.org.  

Davidson Institute Updates

Applications Available for 2008-2009 School Year

A free, public school for profoundly gifted pupils on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, The Davidson Academy of Nevada is seeking qualified students to apply for the 2008-2009 school year. The Academy is specifically designed to meet the needs of profoundly gifted middle and high school students, starting at the sixth grade level and beyond. For admission details, please visit www.DavidsonAcademy.UNR.edu/Admissions.

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2008 Davidson Fellows Scholarship Applications Available

Applications due March 26^th, 2008

A scholarship program for any student under the age of 18 who has completed a significant piece of work in mathematics, science, technology, music, literature, or philosophy that has the potential to benefit society.  For more information on the Davidson Fellows, or to download an application, please visit www.davidsongifted.org/fellows.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. --William Arthur Ward