Gifted and Talented Students Program
Submitted by Carol DelConte
The hybrid learning model provided few obstacles for the members of the Garwood Public Schools Gifted and Talented program.
Ten children in grades five through eight met both virtually and in-person throughout the 2020-21 school year. Students were tasked with learning a new skill – something that many adults tackled during the early months of the quarantine. Through networking, trial and error, perseverance and patience they succeeded.
Guided by their G&T instructors Carol DelConte and Tamara Benc, students were encouraged to reach out to specialists and experts as they honed their skills. One of three students who learned to cook met with and interviewed professional chefs as she created her own recipe book. Two students undertook nature studies in Garwood; one completed a tree survey and another studied wildlife. A sixth grader experimented with various homemade clay recipes and created figurines. Another built and painted his own skateboard ramp.
Their studies culminated in a showcase of their independent learning projects that took place in the Lincoln School cafeteria where students presented their projects to their families.
