Colorado College Education Department
Parents! Visit http://tiny.cc/ldw54w for full program details and to complete the online application.
2015 Gifted and Talented Summer Program Class Descriptions
Deadline March 6, 2015
Program for Students Entering Grade 1
Beneath Our Feet
We are looking for all first grade adventurers who are interested in exploring the subterranean mysteries
of caves, tunnels, and mines. We will “dig” deep under the ground to find the creatures, structures, and
secrets of what’s under us. We will create cave formations, investigate cave-dwelling creatures, and
design our own cave art. We will safely investigate the fascinating tunnels that ants make and discover
other animals that burrow under the ground such as gophers and moles. Finally, we will find out how
humans dig through rocks and dirt to uncover precious metals and gems. Explore with us as we examine
specimens, learn legends of famous miners, and understand what makes mining such a rich part of
Colorado’s history. Many secrets are waiting under the earth’s surface so do come explore the word
beneath our feet!
Melodie Roberts, Teacher, Home School Academy, District 20
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Programs for Students Entering Grades 2 and 3
Arches to Zigzags: A Closer Look at Architecture
Have you ever looked closely at the fine details of a building? Have you ever seen a cupola, a flying
buttress, or an oculus? We will take a tour of great US cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and New
York and find out how the skyscraper has evolved in our country. How were these magnificent buildings
conceived and built? Where did architects get their ideas and inspiration? How does their work inspire
you to build and create?
Learn about the different styles of architecture from Greek to Roman to Spanish Colonial to Prairie and
build them along the way. How does form and function work together with aesthetic beauty in the
architectural design?
Join us as we search our own downtown Colorado Springs for architectural features on buildings and
learn about form, function, and beauty in architecture. We will visit a local architect, learn about the
history of our city through special guests, take walking tours, and create our own architectural
masterpieces along the way.
Christy Howard, Teacher, Taylor Elementary School, District 11
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Children around the World
If you love food, art, music, games, and stories then you will love this imaginary journey around the
world in 15 days! Each day you’ll get your passport stamped as you immerse yourself in the history,
culture, and traditions of countries near and far. Every morning we’ll locate a new country on the world
map and research interesting facts that make that region of the world unique. Then it’s time to sing,
dance, and play. Dance an Irish Jig and the Mexican Hat dance. Play African drums and dance the Polka
to accordion music. Do the Tim Tam Slam from Australia. Experience the way people live in other lands
by tasting food that originated from their culture. After story and snack time the world travelers will
show creativity with an art or craft project. Finally, on the last day we will celebrate with a Heritage
Brunch when students will have a chance to share their family’s traditions and customs. If you’re ready
to read legends of trolls and waltz with Matilda while doing Aboriginal art, then pack our bags and let’s
get this adventure started!*
Dorene Calvin, Teacher Emeritus, District 11
*Food tasting is an integral part of the cultural experience. Please be sure to indicate allergies and other dietary restrictions
on the special need form within the online application.
Rainforest Rendezvous!
Let’s journey south and discover the wondrous environment of the tropical rainforests. Participate in
numerous hands-on activities as you learn what rainforests are (through virtual field trips, children’s
literature, and webquests), where rainforests are (map-making, precipitation graphing, and
globetrotting), who lives there (cultural games, diaries, and kid comparisons), why they are important
(bountiful buffets, medicine-marketing, and guitars), and how learning about the rainforest environment
affects your own life. From the ground level to the world just above the canopy, you will use your
senses to explore the tremendous diversity of this ecosystem and also begin to understand issues of
deforestation and species loss. “Quetzals, lianas, and penan, Oh my!”
Lori Duffy, Teacher, Trailblazer Elementary, District 11
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Programs for Students Entering Grades 4, 5, and 6
Dig It! (Encore)
“Look at this. It’s worthless — ten dollars from a vendor in the street. But I take it, I bury it in the sand
for a thousand years, and it becomes priceless. Like the Ark.” This is a quote from the movie Indiana
Jones. Dr. Jones goes on an expedition to uncover the Ark of the Covenant.
What would you like to uncover? Do you like to dig in the dirt? Find things that are lost? Put pieces
together? Figure out stories from the past? These are things archeologists do--maybe you're one too!
Archeology is like doing a big puzzle without knowing what the picture looks like. Artifacts are the
pieces, but only part of the total picture. Archaeologists use documents; study soil or dirt called
stratigraphy; and examine artifacts to help them learn about people who lived in our past. These clues
help tell the story of our history. Come join us and dig! Learn what it is like to be an archeologist. Use
tools, map out an excavation, chip away at artifacts frozen in clay and learn about dating the materials
you find. See the future from the past, be an explorer! Remember, it’s not what you find; it’s what you
find out.
Heidi Baker, Teacher, Martinez Elementary School, District 11
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Inventors Unleashed! (Encore)
Attention! Attention! We need your inventions! Frisbees, Band-Aids, water skis, trampolines ….
someone was thinking and inventing and you can too! What improvements can you make to something
already in existence? There are problems all around us that need solutions. What will you think up?
This class is an inventors’ workshop and we need inventors. Stories abound of practical and unusual
inventions by practical and unusual people. Listen to their stories and you may become one of
them. This class will be full of activity as you create a “broadband” of ideas, design and make models,
and put together prototypes. You will learn how patents work, and how to name and market your own
invention. All inventions start as someone’s idea and we all have plenty of ideas. To be an inventor, you
must learn to let your mind search and think about as many possible solutions to each invention problem
you encounter and this is the place to do it! We want you because anyone can be an inventor!
Jennifer Wakeen, Education Dept. Supervisor, Colorado College
Renaissance Children Unite
“Learning never exhausts the mind,” according to Leonardo da Vinci. This is as true today in the 21 st
century as it was in the 15th century. Come share your inner artistic talents, use science and mathematics
to ask questions. We will delve into the background of da Vinci’s inventions and artwork by using
exciting hands-on activities such as self-portraits, Italian chalk art, clay sculptures, mirror writing, and
more. Learn about the importance of scientific notebooks and how da Vinci observed, collected, and
documented his findings by using your own detailed science journal. Explore science and math and learn
how it can be used to make great art of your own. Walk through Renaissance Italy and taste its unique
food. Allow your thoughts to galvanize a new life and create your own “ideal city.” Let da Vinci’s work
as a painter, inventor, and scientist inspire you and lead you on a journey to where anything is possible!
Kristin Rowe, Teacher, Foothills Elementary School, District 20
“Tis Almost Fairy Time”
Dost thou like to act? Come join the Summer G&T Shakespearean Players in Fairyland as we develop
and perform scenes from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in full Elizabethan
costume. Oberon and Titania (king and queen of the fairies) quarrel which causes chaos everywhere!
Four young lovers are lost in the woods and under a spell which causes many misunderstandings and
even a brawl. A band of terrible actors are also in the woods, practicing a silly, hilarious play as a
wedding gift to Duke Theseus. Queen Titania falls under a spell and in love with a donkey. And the
mischievous fairy, Puck, is to blame for all of this magic and mayhem. While rehearsing the play –
which will be performed for two audiences – you will learn acting techniques that will lead to a polished
performance in just three weeks! You will also explore the Renaissance, fairy lore, and Shakespeare’s
life. So come join our merry little band of misfits as we have fun with cause and effect in Fairyland in
one of Shakespeare’s most loved comedies!
Dedra Montoya, Teacher, Steele Elementary School, District 11
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