Description
Projects are a great way for GT students to take responsibility for learning and dive into subjects that interest them. But planning meaningful projects takes intentionality. Kristina Janeway, GT English educator, says that there is a difference between giving students projects and developing a project-based learning program. Project-based learning focuses on giving choices to students and team collaboration.
In this course, “What’s Your Problem? Project Based Learning in Middle School GT ELAR,” educators will learn how to set up and run project-based literature circles. Educators will discover creative ways to get students excited about literature and learn tips and tricks to make literature circles run smoothly. After taking this course, educators will have the resources they need to ignite a curiosity in students and help them become bold learners.
In this 1-hour course educators will:
- Comprehend the difference between projects and project-based learning
- Understand and apply the literature base for PBL applications
- Learn how to design literature circles
Kristina Janeway is a Pre-AP, GT, and PSAT/Pre-AP English teacher at Terra Vista Middle School. In her twenty-one-year career, Kristina has had nineteen years of experience working with gifted and talented as well as Pre-AP and AP and full-inclusion students in the West Texas area. She has written curricula for grades seven through twelve, designed an academic vocabulary course for high school, designed a Pre-AP/PSAT English course for eighth graders, designed a SAT/ACT course for seventh graders in the Duke University Talent Search Program, and designed the seventh and eighth grade GT course. Kristina has presented at numerous state and national conferences, several districts, and various Advanced Placement Summer Institutes for universities while working as a consultant for the College Board. She has completed a Master’s degree in Education Administration and holds a Principal’s certificate. Kristina was the recipient of the Frank and Nancy Newton’s Excellence in Education Award from the Beaumont Foundation in 2010 and the Panhandle South Plains TAGT Teacher of the Year for 2014. Most recently, Kristina has published numerous books on writing instruction, reading materials and poster projects with Teacher’s Discovery, and writing assessments with Kamico.
