Just+the+Basics+-+4Ws

=Project Basics=

Who --
Intermediate Gifted students in the Oakridge and Saunders Families of Schools, within the Thames Valley District School Board

What --
Students from at least two schools will work together in small groups to choose a topic of interest to them. This topic must support and extend the regular intermediate curriculum in at least two of the following subject areas (//A variety of Technology, Language and Media expectations will inherently be met through student work on this project//):
 * //**Drama and Dance**//
 * **//French//**
 * //**Geography**// -- The Themes of Geographic Inquiry (location/place, environment, region, interaction, movement); Patterns in Physical Geography, Natural Resources, Patterns in Human Geography, Economic Systems, Migration
 * //**Healthy Living**// -- Healthy Eating, Growth and Development, Personal Safety and Injury Prevention, Substance Use and Abuse
 * //**History**// -- New France, British North America, Conflict and Change, Confederation, The Development of Western Canada, Canada: A Changing Society
 * **//Mathematics//** -- Data Management and Probability, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Measurement, Number Sense and Numeration, Patterning and Algebra
 * //**Music**//
 * **//Science and Technology//** -- Interactions within Ecosystems/Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems; Pure Substances and Mixtures/Fluids; Heat/Optics; Structural Strength and Stability/Mechanical Efficiency; The Earth's Crust/Water Systems
 * **//Visual Arts//**

When --
Students will begin posting ideas and information in November, 2007 and collaborate until project completion in May 2008.

Why --
In its Special Education Plan, 2007-8 (Section 2.7.3.1), the Thames Valley District School Board defines Giftedness as an "unusually advanced degree of general intellectual ability that requires differentiated learning experiences of a depth and breadth beyond those normally provided in the regular school program to satisfy the level of educational potential indicated." Programming recommendations for Gifted students usually involve some form of collaboration with like-minded peers. The "Great Minds Think. . ." project is designed to meet the individual and unique needs of intermediate Gifted students, as well as the program goals of the Thames Valley School Board, and the Ministry of Education.