Exciting learning happens every day in Peoria Unified gifted classrooms. Throughout the year we will use this page to highlight some of the unique projects that our students create to share what they have learned. 

From the teacher:

The Buddy Benches at Copperwood have been installed on the playground. The class was so excited and proud of this project. Students worked to create the song and skit after participating in a song writing workshop with community volunteers. They learned so much about song writing, speaking and listening, presentations, and working together. They were asked to compose an original song and a skit to introduce and remind the students in grades K-4 about the buddy benches. The song you hear was written and performed by students.
We were able to apply several of the Arizona State Standards into this amazing collaborative project that will be enjoyed by all grades in K-4!
The following standards were taught and applied to this project:

• Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases relevant to a grade 2 topics or subject area.
• Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding one-syllable or two-syllable words.
• With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (We did it in song form!)
• With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing. (We did it in song form!)
• With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers. (We did it in song form!)
• Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
  • a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
  • b. Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
  • c. Ask for clarification and further explanation as needed about the topics and texts under discussion.
• Recount or describe key ideas about information presented orally or through other media.
• Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.
• Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. (We did it in song form!)
• Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences. (We did it in song form!)

  
  Special thanks to Karen Unthank for the inspiration on this project. Also a special thanks to Debbie James, Tom Cone, and Crimson Wooten for arranging and donating their time, energy, and talents.