TREASURE TRACKERS
Finding it! 
Recognizing it!
Using It!
Sharing it!
 
 
 
 

2003-2004 

BluebonnetSM Celebrations Workshop


Title: Treasure Trackers 

Workshop Descriptor
     What is treasure?  What is it that we value above other things?  Will your students know it when they find it?  How will they use it?  With whom will they share it?
     Our students easily recognize treasures that sparkle like silver and gold coins.  They know when they spend them, they are gone.  As they grow, it is essential to help them recognize and appreciate that real treasure is found in family, friends, faith, fun, academic skills, talents, freedom, and moral character. They must discover that finding this kind of treasure takes courage, but using it wisely and, sometimes, giving it away...takes integrity.

Presenter: Suzy Red
Characters, settings, and situations in the Texas Bluebonnet Award Books for 2003-2004SM will provide a myriad of opportunity to uncover treasure by exposing children to other cultures and  other times, and by developing a deep appreciation of the American culture and what it treasures.   These twenty-one books that cross every genre will become the catalysts for interactive problem solving skills, technology integration, laughter, character development, and interdisciplinary foundational academic skills.
     Let them lead your students into an active, integrated curriculum that is rich in character, reading and math skills, science, social studies, research, problem solving, internet projects, and FUN...all keyed into Gardner's Multiple Intelligences and TEKS objectives with the creative TAKS practice.  This authentic learning changes lives and increases motivation to grow strong in the search for REAL treasure, to develop keen eyesight that recognizes the real treasures, and to develop the character necessary to share it with others. 
     Success on standardized state tests, such as the TAKS, is one treasure we all seek, but this is too shallow a goal unless our practice is within the context of real-life.  We will show you how to deepen a student's skill and commitment to acing standardized tests as they seek the treasures that will last! 
      Participants will receive a 224 page guide filled with unique, active ideas--excellent for literary circles as well as for individual and whole class interaction...all supported by a free-access state-of-the art website!  Join us for a breath of fresh curriculum that includes laughter, songs, character building, and problem solving through literature. 

Workshop Focus:
     Using the twenty Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominated BooksSM for 2003-2004 as a vehicle, this workshop will focus on dispelling fears about the new TAKS test by infusing the TEKS into an integrated, character-based curriculum correlated with Gardners' multiple intelligences. Based on flexible, fluent, and creative thinking, the activities inspire and challenge students to develop problem solving skills. Practice on high level skills will be included in the newest TAKS format as well as through logic puzzles, real-life projects, internet connections, music, and cooperative learning.

Participants will ~
     ...receive 6 hours of gifted and talented credit
     ...be familiar with the content and possibilities of each of the newest Bluebonnet BooksSM.
     ...participate in problem solving extensions of the books.
     ...explore internet and library resources that enable students to grow skillful in research and project building.
     ...understand the importance of their role in weaving respect and character into every aspect of a child's life.

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"Texas Bluebonnet AwardSM is a service mark of the Texas Library Association, which is in no way affiliated with Kids' Wings or Suzy Red. Use of the Texas Bluebonnet Award mark in Kids' Wings web pages and/or materials does not imply any endorsement of any kind on behalf of the Texas Library Association. The Texas Bluebonnet Book Master ListSM was selected by the Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee of the Texas Library Association."