We have approximately 1,600 students enrolled in our school system; 10% of which have been accepted into the local Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program. More specifically, this population of students are identified as Academically Gifted (AG) Reading, AG Math, AG Reading + Math, Intellectually Gifted, and Academically and Intellectually Gifted. Our AIG students currently span from grades 4 through 12 at five different schools. Needless to say, our growing program is a diverse group of students with unique differences!
Individualized instruction is a challenge but a major goal for all students in our school system, including our AIG students.
Our students live in an extremely rural area with limited resources. Three of our five schools are Title I; our county has one public library, limited access to technology, and many students can not afford to purchase items that are beyond their necessity. Despite these challenges, our teachers strive to do the best we can through determination and innovation. Our students need access to materials now more than ever.
My Project
I discovered the benefits of the Rubik's Cube at the NC Association For Gifted & Talented conference in 2018. Action research suggests that "the cube" has increased leadership skills in students that tend to cooperate from behind-the-scenes. This information alone compelled me to explore the options and WOW, are they infinite! There is free curriculum available on everything Rubik's Cube, from STEM (engineering/design, Fibonacci’s Perfect Spiral, geometry & measurement, etc.) to literacy (biography, research, and history behind the cube), to something that our gifted program is lacking, THE ARTS (mosaic creation, pixel art, video production, Rubik’s Art, etc.)! Now we just need the cubes!
By incorporating the Rubik's Cube into my gifted services, I am infusing STEM education and creativity, as well creating opportunities for student-led collaboration.
These timeless tools also put a fresh and interesting spin on learning. I can use them across all grade levels and also lend them to other teachers. They will not be restricted to just my program. Everyone can do the cube!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Hobbs and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
