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Gifted Kids Network Model The Gifted Kids Network is a web based supplemental gifted and talented programming model that includes accelerated or advanced content and affective programming. Enrolled students from schools and districts throughout the United States are able to come together in a private secure online environment to engage in high level content with other gifted peers.  Gifted Kids Network utilizes technologies such as wikis, blogs, social bookmarking, collaborative documents, podcasting and video or photo sharing to create a virtual gifted program that is collaborative, connected, and social.     Accelerated Learning Unit   are standards based units of instruction centered on multidisciplinary high interest topics.  Each unit is based on major principles and essential understandings that correlate to state and national standards within the areas of science, social studies, and language arts. Each lesson in the ALU includes media rich content and activities requiring constructivist student inquiry. Throughout each unit there are opportunities for students to collaborate on activities, to share ideas through discussion forums and to reflect on their learning through blog entries and responses.  Students, teachers, or mentors can post forum questions for discussion. Students use blogs to reflect on: what they have learned; why it is important; and how they can use the knowledge they have gained. Students work both collaboratively and at times independently on projects. School districts can enroll identified gifted students in one or more standards based course.  Each course runs for one semester (approximately 16 weeks).   Students are expected to commit to three to five hours per week for each course.  Schools should plan on providing at least three hours of in class time for each course and students should expect to have about one hour per week of work outside of the school day.  Students will be required to participate in weekly discussion forums and write weekly blog entries related to their learning.  Projects will be assigned for each major topic (approximately every two to three weeks).   Students will receive feedback on their blogs and discussion forum contributions and will receive grades on their projects.  Some classes will also include quizzes and tests. Enrichment 2.0 , like it’s the model it is based on, the enrichment cluster, is an inquiry based learning model where students select a topic, are grouped to work on the topic, and prepare an authentic product or service. Enrichment 2.0 allows students who are not physically in the same space to collaborate in an area of interest. School districts might find ‘sister’ districts, or schools in other countries to collaborate with.  Home school students, students in rural schools, students who are located in school districts without formal gifted programs, and students with interests significantly different than those of their classmates, can easily collaborate with peers through community online enrichment clusters.   The “Lounge” component of Gifted Kids Network is designed to support the affective needs and growth of gifted and talented students. The lounge provides students an opportunity to socialize with other gifted students. The socialization includes informal discussions about topics of the student’s choice including music, sports, hobbies, and life in rural communities.The lounge acts as a cafeteria or playground for students to relax and get to know each other. In addition, formal discussion groups will address common concerns of gifted and talented students including: multipotentiality, perfectionism, asynchrony, peer relations, excessive self criticism, and career planning. The discussion groups are directed by adult facilitators with training in the social and emotional needs of gifted students.     News   Teachers interested in forming enrichment clusters join the Enrichment 2.0 Ning and share ideas and resources with other teachers using this model. Register now for fall online classes Science Classes Social Studies Classes Enrichment Classes Terms of Use Agreement

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