GATE Activities

Digital Extension and Enrichment Resources

Celebrating Black History Month

In support of Black History Month, our GATE activities for February are focused on Black culture, heritage, and history.

zoom_out_map

Jazz Music, Dance, and Poetry

The Kennedy Center has created a lesson plan with musical resource links for 3rd - 5th grade, highlighting activities that students can do to immerse themselves in the creativity of the Harlem Renaissance.

zoom_out_map

The Poet's Voice

"Langston Hughes and You" offers 7 different writing activities. One of which has students exploring "Variations on a Dream" analyzing text of 3 different poems by Hughes: "Dreams", "Harlem: What Happens to a Dream Deferred", and "Dream Variations".

zoom_out_map

Notable African Americans

In this Jeopardy-type quiz game, students in grades 5 - 12 can choose from three levels of difficulty to test their knowledge of famous African Americans from the 18th century to the present.

Black History Month Lessons and Resources

Looking for more activities? The NEA website is filled with lessons at every grade level.

Powerful Quotes to Read During Black History Month

Honoring Presidents' Day

Originally established in 1885 on the third Monday in February, in recognition of George Washington, this holiday weekend is a time to celebrate all of our U.S. Presidents past and present.

Project Based Learning Activity for Presidents' Day

Celebrating Kindness

As we approach Valentine's Day and start to naturally think of others, it seems only appropriate that National Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14th - 20th. (Random Acts of Kindness Day is Wednesday, February 17th.) From boosting your mood, to lowering stress, the power of kindness is proven. In fact, science shows the benefits of kindness are greater for the giver than the receiver. So, here are some activities to practice that will support everyone's social-emotional well being while helping others and helping yourself along the way.

Kindness...it costs nothing, but means everything!

zoom_out_map

Talking Kindness

Kindness often starts with a conversation. Here are some conversation starters to get students talking about kindness, what it means to them and sharing examples of how to show kindness and empathy to others.

zoom_out_map

Helping Others

These digital worksheets allow students to place themselves in different student centered scenarios and contemplate how they would feel and what they can do to help.

KindSpring has categories of activities for students to offer help to others.

zoom_out_map

"Pay It Forward"

There are so many ways that students of any age can "pay it forward" without spending a dime. Conducting a classroom brainstorm of free ideas is sure to not only get some creativity flowing, but also boost our social emotional well being by thinking of ways to show kindness towards others.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

100 Acts of Kindness Ideas for Kids

Random Acts of Kindness BINGO!

Need help?

Is your team or department looking for new ideas to engage students in your curriculum? Would you like to add creative and critical thinking activities to your lessons? Do your GATE and high achieving students need more? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, click the bookings button below and schedule a time for me to "zoom in" and assist you.

GATE TOSA Bookings Calendar