Primary Talent Development module challenges young students to investigate, analyze, and communicate - 10/28/08

Yomari is identifying what parts of the tree are sources for certain tree products.

The arrival of fall inspires Woodmoor Elementary School second-grade teacher Alice Scott. She sees “the beauty of the trees changing from day to day, their branches filled with fabulous fall colors.” The season also brings Scott the opportunity to teach one of her favorite units, “Branching Out With Trees.”

The unit, coordinated by the Office of Gifted and Talented Education, is one of the school system’s Primary Talent Development modules. These science-based curriculum modules, available in all Baltimore County Public Schools elementary schools, are designed to challenge young students with open-ended, problem-solving learning experiences. According to the Office of Gifted and Talented Education, Primary Talent Development is based on the principle that all primary students (kindergarten through grade 2) require opportunities to develop their talents and abilities to the fullest extent.

Indya notices that the sticky stuff on the branch is sap.

During the Branching Out With Trees lessons, Scott says, “Students had the opportunity to become tree experts. They learned about the parts of trees and the products that come from trees such as syrup, chewing gum, and some medicines.”

She adds, “Students learned to think like scientists. They collected artifacts and discussed how trees can be like our communities. The students also wrote their observations in journals and created questions that demonstrated their curiosity and their communication skills.”

Khalid, Yomari and Jawan worked in a small group to research cool facts about trees.

Scott’s second-graders even extended the Branching Out With Trees unit by researching how syrup is made, learning why evergreens stay green, and discussing how a tree can be identified by its leaves.

For its innovative and comprehensive lessons, the second grade at Woodmoor Elementary School has been featured for the past three years in Potential and Promise, the newsletter for Primary Talent Development educators in Baltimore County.

Story by R. Alice Scott, second-grade teacher, Woodmoor Elementary School, and Diana L. Spencer, communications officer. Photos courtesy Woodmoor Elementary School

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