#smithingifted

#GiftedLearning

  • I Never Want to Teach the Same Lesson Twice

    I Never Want to Teach the Same Lesson Twice

    This blog post explores how John Maxwell’s habit of collecting ideas has shaped the way I approach teaching. I am always looking for ways to improve my lessons—through professional learning, student feedback, travel, technology, and even observing how businesses like Disney, resorts, and shopping centers create meaningful experiences. I believe great teaching is never truly…

  • Every Drop Counts: Turning Water Conservation into a Real-World STEM Challenge

    Every Drop Counts: Turning Water Conservation into a Real-World STEM Challenge

    Global Innovation Lab: Every Drop Counts challenges students to become water detectives, systems thinkers, and innovators. Through research, water audits, collaborative design, and persuasive presentations, students create realistic solutions to reduce water waste while considering people, the environment, cost, safety, and unintended consequences. This hands-on STEM experience empowers students to see that protecting our water…

  • Beyond the Textbook: Historical Investigation Projects in the Gifted Classroom

    Beyond the Textbook: Historical Investigation Projects in the Gifted Classroom

    Historical investigation projects transform gifted classrooms into thinking labs where students become historians, detectives, and researchers. By examining primary sources, comparing perspectives, evaluating credibility, and defending evidence-based conclusions, students develop critical-thinking skills that help them understand the past and navigate today’s competing claims.