Thakaze Design

This is a hands-on problem solving activity for (gifted) elementary students. Students will read through the provided articles to learn about landfills. Ultimately, they will design a solution to one of the problems they see. They may tackle: Methane capturingBetter landfill informationComposting / food waste reductionProvide students with (graph) paper and building materials (recyclables, Legos, k'nex - whatever you have on hand) to design a prototype for their proposed solution.

Your students are famous volcanologists who are given the opportunity to study at the foot of a volcano, all expenses paid! They can choose between Mount St. Helens or Mt. Vesuvius. With this activity, students will practice: Reading informational textReasoningExplainingWriting and restating thesis statementsProvide students with highlighters to help them pick out their reasons as they read. Quick and easy!

🍫 The Wonka FilesA Persuasive Writing & Mock Trial Experience (Upper Elementary / Middle School)Step into the courtroom of Wonkaville, where imagination meets critical thinking! In this immersive project, students take on the role of lawyers to investigate a single, powerful question: Is Willy Wonka legally responsible for what happened to the children in his factory?Using evidence inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder's version) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factor

An introduction to simulations for students! You have been hired as the Royal Advisor. Your first task is to update and hire new staff. Any positions not filled will become your responsibility in the meantime. You have a budget of 175 gold pieces. Who will you hire in this first round? Explain why you made these decisions to the king and queen. Students will gain practical application of the following skills: Creative problem solvingDecision makingBudgetingExplanation of choicesRole playing / pu

An introduction to simulations for students! You have been hired as the manager of a brand new restaurant. Your first task is to pick out your brand new employees. Any positions not filled will become your responsibility in the meantime. You have a budget of $175. Who will you hire in this first round? Explain why you made these decisions to the restaurant owner. Students will gain practical application of the following skills: Creative problem solvingDecision makingBudgetingExplanation of choi

Introduce your students to persuasive writing with this lesson. Students are in charge of hiring and must choose between two excellent candidates (based in actual historical figures). After they decide which candidate to recommend, they will put together an argument and ultimately write a letter to their team with their recommendation. Students can choose from horse racing, gymnastics, football, baseball/softball, and astronomy. The circles between the facts can help students decide which inform

Introduce your students to persuasive writing with this letter to Santa. On the green side, students must persuade Santa to take them off the naughty list. On the red side, students can select someone they think SHOULD be on the naughty list and convince Santa to add that person. This is a very early introduction to persuasive writing: include a reason and explain that reasoning.

Help students practice their executive functioning skills with this memory matching card game. Just print two copies, cut, mix, and play! Alternatively, I use these as a creative writing tool: each student selects 3-5 (or is randomly given 3-5) and must incorporate everything into one short story. Includes winter-themed and Hanukkah-themed words and imagery as well.

Help your students learn collaboration skills in these true-to-life simulations. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create proposals based on real-life scenarios. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted upper-elementar

Help your students learn collaboration skills in this true-to-life simulation. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create a proposal for a new type of assistive technology. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted upper-

Help your students learn collaboration skills in this true-to-life simulation. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create a proposal for an eco-friendly, accessible playground. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted up

Help your students learn collaboration skills in this true-to-life simulation. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create a proposal to help eliminate food waste in the cafeteria. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted

Help your students learn collaboration skills in this true-to-life simulation. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create a proposal for sustainable water conservation efforts. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted up

Help your students learn collaboration skills in this true-to-life simulation. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create a proposal for student smartwear. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted upper-elementary studen

Help your students learn collaboration skills in this true-to-life simulation. In a team of five, your kids will work together to create a proposal for sustainable packaging for snacks. Each student has a unique role based on real-life research and development (R&D) roles. Every student is responsible for one piece of the final product, but everyone must work together to find success. Includes QR Codes for relevant articles. Designed for middle school students but also works with gifted upper-el

Ask your students to put themselves in the shoes of a Native American or Pilgrim at the first Thanksgiving. For a fun twist: print this double-sided and have kids switch with a partner. They will write the response from the other side's POV.

These worksheets are designed to help boost your students' "Numbers and Operations" skills. Each Common Core strand is addressed within these activities, all of which are tied to an interactive game to reinforce the skill on Math Playground. These are designed to be used as centers with students split into three groups: Red: Below target, needing teacher assistanceGreen: On target, independent with teacher explanationBlue: Challenge, independent with a check at the endStudents can work through e

Four different creative writing prompt series for upper elementary students: Ghostbusters ReportThe Ghostbusters have rounded up a new set of haunted creatures, but they need help writing up the reports. Can you help? Students will examine their captured ghost and determine their name, date of birth, date of death, location of haunt, and primary crime. Then, they'll write the report about how the ghost was caught. Creature RecipesSpark some creative thinking with your students with "Recipe Writi

The Ghostbusters have rounded up a new set of haunted creatures, but they need help writing up the reports. Can you help? Students will examine their captured ghost and determine their name, date of birth, date of death, location of haunt, and primary crime. Then, they'll write the report about how the ghost was caught. There are 10 different ghosts included in this writing prompt packet, each with a "blank" on the back for students to create their own busted spirit. Best for upper elementary st

Help students with writing rhyming couplets by writing their own sea shanty! Great as an early introduction to poetry for upper elementary students.