WEINER GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM
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      • Letting Go of Testing
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    • THE NOVEL PROJECT
    • Roald Dahl & "Matilda!" >
      • Roald Dahl Activities
      • MORE Book Activities
      • MUSIC 4 fun!
      • The Musical
      • ENCOURAGING READING
      • Books
      • Dahl & WRITING! (Activities)
    • MATILDA AT HOME! AMI >
      • HUMAN Masterpieces
      • CORONA DISK JOCKEY!
      • "If I Were a Rich Man/Woman" >
        • Kylie's Gallery
        • Benton's Gallery
        • Xander's Gallery
        • Gentrye's Gallery
        • Ava's Gallery
        • Cannon's Gallery
        • Tyler's Gallery
        • Eli's Gallery
        • Jax Gallery
        • Madden's Gallery
        • Troy's Gallery
        • Brody's Gallery
        • Peyton's Gallery
        • Scarlet's Gallery
        • Mack's Gallery
        • Amelia's Gallery
        • Emily's Gallery
        • Rylee's Gallery
        • Cal's Gallery
        • Marley's Gallery
        • Sam's Gallery
      • Character in Action
    • Anthropomorphism >
      • LIST # 1 >
        • Black Beauty
        • Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of Nimh
        • Bunnicula!
        • Babe
        • Charlotte's Web
        • The Sight
        • The Jungle Book
        • Tale of Despereaux
        • Wind in the Willows
        • Chronicles of Narnia
        • Mouse Called Wolf
        • One / Only Ivan
        • Watership Down
      • LIST # 2 >
        • Martin's Mice
        • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
        • Fire Bringer
        • Never-ending Story
        • Trumpet Swan
        • Animal Farm
        • Cricket Times Square
        • Redwall
        • Nest for Celeste
        • Winnie the Pooh
        • WARRIORS
        • MOUSE/ Motorcycle
      • LIST # 3 >
        • Freddy Goes to Florida
        • The Capture
        • Ace the Very Important Pig
        • PAX
        • The Golden Compass
        • Stuart Little
        • The Underneath
        • Tales Beatrix Potter
        • Bambi
        • MAUS
        • Poppy
        • WAR HORSE
        • Masterpiece
      • Anthropomorphic Wisdom
      • MENTAL PUZZLES
      • ACTIVE Reading
  • Productions!
    • Putting on a Play
    • Adventures of Matilda
    • Inside Out >
      • Newsela Emotions
    • ANNIE >
      • Annie Dress Rehearsal PHOTOS
      • Roaring 20's Party!
    • BRUNDIBAR! >
      • All About Brundibar
      • Terezin Specialists
      • Remembrance SEDER
      • Holocaust Presentations >
        • Timeline
        • Anne Frank
        • Words from Dr. John Roth
        • WWII PHOTOS
        • Shedding Light on the Shadow
    • Cinderella Photos/Curriculum
    • "It's a Wonderful Life!"
    • "Who Will Carry the Word?"
    • The Taming of the Shrew
    • Bye, Bye Birdie
    • A Christmas Carol >
      • VIDEO of Play
      • Why A Christmas Carol? >
        • Essential Questions
        • READ >
          • Response Questions
          • Vocabulary
        • Oliver Twist
        • Street Children
        • Carol Study Guide
        • Dickens' BIO
        • Research LINKS
        • Original Manuscript
        • Dickens and Art
        • Play INFO
        • G.T. Farewell PARTY
    • COMING TO AMERICA! >
      • Story of Annie Moore
      • Mrs. Dunn's Lovely Farm
      • The Hundred Dresses
      • Orphan Train
      • Immigration Terms
      • Statue of Liberty
    • Lights, Camera, Comedy!
    • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
    • A Midsummer Night's Dream
    • Harvest Celebration
  • K/1 Enrichment
    • MORE K/1 Activities >
      • STILL More K/1 Activities >
        • What is Creativity?
        • Memory Frameworks
        • Creativity Analogy Task
        • Rudyard Kipling Project
        • Things that are Red
        • BEDS for K-1
        • Christmas!
        • Book of Kells
        • Tree Tunnels
        • Wired Animals
        • Flashlight
        • Originality Lesson
      • Helping Young Kids with Testing
  • Creativity
    • Creativity INTRO >
      • Creative Thinking Tools
      • Why Creativity Counts
      • Creativity Videos
      • Creativity Facts
  • Nurturing CULTURE
    • Character Words
    • PLACE OF THE WEEK
    • ARTIST OF THE WEEK
    • MUSICIAN / COMPOSER OF THE WEEK
  • "Stuff I Like" (for teachers)
  • About the Teacher
    • When I Worked With Secondary >
      • A Final Goodbye
      • 911 Tribute
      • ExCEL
      • Broadway!
      • Power Women!
      • Pumpkin Vault
      • Affective
    • Blog
    • Recognition
Who doesn't love mysteries? The who-dun-its are exciting and keep you guessing. Students in grades 2-7 will be spending a year with mysteries. 
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We are happy to announce that we plan to perform our adaptation of  "Matilda!" called "Adventures of Matilda" for young actors in the spring of 2022! Our performance is combination Dahl's book dialogue, ideas from both the movie and the touring show, purchased music soundtracks from Shakespeare Royal Company, and quite a few original scenes that are kid-friendly and kid-fun! Although Roald Dahl's book is GREAT for kids, the Broadway version and television show have scenes that --don't really work for children.
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I'm leaving the image below and an explanation of how Covid put a stop to our performance in 2020.

It's a good reminder of what we learned then. In many ways, THIS time will be more special to us.

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When schools were closed the first of April for the pandemic, our gifted students were only a few weeks away from our performance  The set was all ready (the Chokey is pictured above, built by a dad and is 7 feet tall AND on wheels), costumes were ready, props ready, and most importantly, the ACTORS WERE READY!  Covid stopped that. Disappointment and reality were forced to look, not forward to the terrible disappointment of what didn't happen, but backward to what was learned about schedules and the hard work that is a vital part in any creative endeavor. The book, "Matilda" by Roald Dahl is about a young girl who meets many disappointment and yet, doesn't let that weaken her resolve. It hasn't weakened ours either. PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS ARE, INDEED, FOUND IN THE CHOKEY.

...about our program - each year students are immersed in an over-arching THEME. This entails high interest, focused learning and ends with a big presentation for a REAL audience, deeply embedding the learning in the student.

Our G.T. program focuses specifically on affective development and mastery of success skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability, creativity, work ethic, time management, etc.) within the context of BIG theater productions! Each production is selected for its potential thematic concepts. Each play's purpose is to grow children, but also to help educate elementary students from other schools. We do NOT charge admission. In a way, it is each student's first experience in community service... helping others. Immersion in a theater production DEEPLY embeds the learning in ways that connect, provide a "real" audience for sharing, and create good memories. Check out what we are working on NOW and the focus of recent productions below --as well as the links to more info! 

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2020 -2021
Anthropomorphism -
READING & WRITING
​"discovering who we are and who we want to be..."
FOCUS:  Students will  --
* Write an anthropomorphic novel (which will be published as hardcover)

* EXTEND their reading vocabulary & creative / critical thinking through --

       Determining Meaning in Aesop's Fables and anthropomorphic. novel quotes
       Practice ACTIVE, active reading
       Challenge their thinking in mental puzzles
       Develop creativity, organization skills, and perseverance in writing a novel



​​2019-2020 Roald Dahl's, "MATILDA!"  

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​FOCUS: The POWER OF FICTION READING - a roadmap to better understanding how people of different ages, personalities, circumstances, and places think, and using that knowledge to create a great life!

​Matilda is a gifted child. She is an avid reader and for some reason is able to move objects with her eyes. Unfortunately, Matilda's family aren't very nice to her. She has much to teach us about handling problems and finding the power of reading!

We are spending a year with Roald Dahl, focusing on reading, reading, reading. We will celebrate our year with a parody performance that combines Roald Dahl's book with the play, the movie, and our own fun ideas!  Can you imagine Trunchbull, Miss Honey, and the Wormwoods played by elementary children? We have expanded on the magical powers of Matilda too... It will be fun.

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DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!!


​2017-2018
​"ANNIE" - 1920's - 
NEVER TAKE ANYONE OR ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. LEARN TO NOTICE, TO APPRECIATE - - IT IS OUR STRUGGLES THAT MAKE US STRONG --THAT MAKE US MORE HUMAN THAN WE WERE BEFORE.


2018-2019
"Inside Out!": SELF CONTROL --u
nderstanding our emotions and how to respond to them in effective, positive ways, sharing that learning in a manner that challenges our creativity and educates kids from other schools!!!
​

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...a positive outlook will always look to the sunlight --not the shadows

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...so many had to live it --why would we not have the courage to hear it?



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​​2015-2016
CINDERELLA!:
PARADOX - Do good things always happen to good people?  Is Cinderella rewarded because she is good or because she is beautiful? What is integrity? What does integrity look like when times are hard?



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...it is in giving that we receive --those in need are all around us





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​2013 - 2014.  (IMMIGRATION)
The Hundred Dresses: FORESIGHT --it isn't always possible to right a wrong --developing empathy. Understanding what you do or don't do matters
​

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...going through Ellis Island, not understanding the language




​2013-2014
Mrs. Dunn's Lovely Farm: PERSEVERANCE & VISION can bring joy --even in hard times
​

​
Picture"I Love Lucy" and Vitametavegamin!
     
​                                                        





​2011-2012
Alice in Wonderland - THE POWER & WISDOM OF IMAGINATION!!! What can be imagined, can be, taking us to places and meeting people we could not do otherwise!  Finding joy in creativity!



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The joy of Puck! Although this was presented by elementary students, the play used Shakespeare's ORIGINAL language!

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​2009-2010
Harvest Celebration - APPRECIATION!  Living in a time that can only be imagined, finding a deeper  understanding that can only come through experience



​2016-2017
BRUNDIBAR! (the children of Terezin)-
THE POWER OF THE ARTS in even the worst of times.  "Brundibar" warns us that viewing those you "see" as different than you are, results in unwarranted prejudice and discrimination. Stepping into another person's life and "being" that person on stage can help you discover how alike we all truly are --even those we thought were different

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... B E L I E V E --fairy godmothers are found in many forms throughout our lives




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​2014-2015
​"A Christmas Carol": THE POWER OF THE ARTS to influence people for good; seeing yourself in another person; the joy of giving and the dangers of self-centeredness

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I have a hundred dresses all lined up...





​2013-2014
Story of Annie Moore:  COURAGE can be found in unlikely places --even in children


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Four immigrants and a dancing Tomato!



​2012-2013
Lights, Camera, Comedy!": FOCUS: CHANGE --understanding and appreciating the progression of technology, while recognizing that change is always continuous  --even in our lives
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"We're all crazy here!"



​2010-2011
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare): ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE - There is a desire within us all to excel at something difficult, to reach for something great instead of good enough, finding the satisfaction we've longed for, discovering we can do that which we never thought possible


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Our Wampanoag village --thank you parents for helping bring it to life!

Location

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ARKANSAS SCHOOL OF INNOVATION

​Contact Us

  • Home
    • PRESENTATIONS >
      • Teaching Gifted Remotely
      • GT, AMI, Today's World
      • AAGEA keynote
      • Characteristics/Identification
      • BRUNDIBAR -AGATE
      • Parenting G.T. Kids
      • Letting Go of Testing
      • GT & Innovation
      • Affective & Discipline Strategies
      • Classroom Website - Your Best Friend
      • Differentiation
    • Handbook
    • Program Brochure
    • Scope and Sequence
  • Past Studies
    • THE NOVEL PROJECT
    • Roald Dahl & "Matilda!" >
      • Roald Dahl Activities
      • MORE Book Activities
      • MUSIC 4 fun!
      • The Musical
      • ENCOURAGING READING
      • Books
      • Dahl & WRITING! (Activities)
    • MATILDA AT HOME! AMI >
      • HUMAN Masterpieces
      • CORONA DISK JOCKEY!
      • "If I Were a Rich Man/Woman" >
        • Kylie's Gallery
        • Benton's Gallery
        • Xander's Gallery
        • Gentrye's Gallery
        • Ava's Gallery
        • Cannon's Gallery
        • Tyler's Gallery
        • Eli's Gallery
        • Jax Gallery
        • Madden's Gallery
        • Troy's Gallery
        • Brody's Gallery
        • Peyton's Gallery
        • Scarlet's Gallery
        • Mack's Gallery
        • Amelia's Gallery
        • Emily's Gallery
        • Rylee's Gallery
        • Cal's Gallery
        • Marley's Gallery
        • Sam's Gallery
      • Character in Action
    • Anthropomorphism >
      • LIST # 1 >
        • Black Beauty
        • Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of Nimh
        • Bunnicula!
        • Babe
        • Charlotte's Web
        • The Sight
        • The Jungle Book
        • Tale of Despereaux
        • Wind in the Willows
        • Chronicles of Narnia
        • Mouse Called Wolf
        • One / Only Ivan
        • Watership Down
      • LIST # 2 >
        • Martin's Mice
        • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
        • Fire Bringer
        • Never-ending Story
        • Trumpet Swan
        • Animal Farm
        • Cricket Times Square
        • Redwall
        • Nest for Celeste
        • Winnie the Pooh
        • WARRIORS
        • MOUSE/ Motorcycle
      • LIST # 3 >
        • Freddy Goes to Florida
        • The Capture
        • Ace the Very Important Pig
        • PAX
        • The Golden Compass
        • Stuart Little
        • The Underneath
        • Tales Beatrix Potter
        • Bambi
        • MAUS
        • Poppy
        • WAR HORSE
        • Masterpiece
      • Anthropomorphic Wisdom
      • MENTAL PUZZLES
      • ACTIVE Reading
  • Productions!
    • Putting on a Play
    • Adventures of Matilda
    • Inside Out >
      • Newsela Emotions
    • ANNIE >
      • Annie Dress Rehearsal PHOTOS
      • Roaring 20's Party!
    • BRUNDIBAR! >
      • All About Brundibar
      • Terezin Specialists
      • Remembrance SEDER
      • Holocaust Presentations >
        • Timeline
        • Anne Frank
        • Words from Dr. John Roth
        • WWII PHOTOS
        • Shedding Light on the Shadow
    • Cinderella Photos/Curriculum
    • "It's a Wonderful Life!"
    • "Who Will Carry the Word?"
    • The Taming of the Shrew
    • Bye, Bye Birdie
    • A Christmas Carol >
      • VIDEO of Play
      • Why A Christmas Carol? >
        • Essential Questions
        • READ >
          • Response Questions
          • Vocabulary
        • Oliver Twist
        • Street Children
        • Carol Study Guide
        • Dickens' BIO
        • Research LINKS
        • Original Manuscript
        • Dickens and Art
        • Play INFO
        • G.T. Farewell PARTY
    • COMING TO AMERICA! >
      • Story of Annie Moore
      • Mrs. Dunn's Lovely Farm
      • The Hundred Dresses
      • Orphan Train
      • Immigration Terms
      • Statue of Liberty
    • Lights, Camera, Comedy!
    • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
    • A Midsummer Night's Dream
    • Harvest Celebration
  • K/1 Enrichment
    • MORE K/1 Activities >
      • STILL More K/1 Activities >
        • What is Creativity?
        • Memory Frameworks
        • Creativity Analogy Task
        • Rudyard Kipling Project
        • Things that are Red
        • BEDS for K-1
        • Christmas!
        • Book of Kells
        • Tree Tunnels
        • Wired Animals
        • Flashlight
        • Originality Lesson
      • Helping Young Kids with Testing
  • Creativity
    • Creativity INTRO >
      • Creative Thinking Tools
      • Why Creativity Counts
      • Creativity Videos
      • Creativity Facts
  • Nurturing CULTURE
    • Character Words
    • PLACE OF THE WEEK
    • ARTIST OF THE WEEK
    • MUSICIAN / COMPOSER OF THE WEEK
  • "Stuff I Like" (for teachers)
  • About the Teacher
    • When I Worked With Secondary >
      • A Final Goodbye
      • 911 Tribute
      • ExCEL
      • Broadway!
      • Power Women!
      • Pumpkin Vault
      • Affective
    • Blog
    • Recognition