Introduction to ‘Thinking Outside The Box’ Programs

These programs are for children who have been identified as having high ability. They are available to students from local schools.

The goals of each program are to:

  • Develop deeper thinking habits and strategies.
  • Learn and practise a range of problem-solving skills.
  • Foster each child’s ability to work in groups of like-minded children.
  • Develop reflective skills and encourage students to challenge themselves in any learning environment.
  • Build children’s confidence in their abilities and increase their expectations about what is achievable.
  • Encourage each child to develop and pursue personal interests and passions.
  • Develop children’s skills at asking ‘good’ questions based on deeper thinking and evaluation.
  • Provide a forum for exploring what it means to be ‘highly able’ in a like-minded community.

The programs described in this flyer may also include:

  • Use of a range of thinking strategies and learning habits.
  • Maths, logic and word challenges designed to stimulate creative thinking and problem solving.

Structure of the programs

Programs are being offered for a range of age groups including Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. The details of each program are attached.

Host schools for Term 2, 2009

Wantirna South PS, 16 Tyner Rd, Wantirna South, 3152.Tel: 9801 1900 Principal:Andrew Crossett

Knox Gardens PS, Argyle Way, Wantirna South, 3152. Tel: 9800 2320 Principal: Penelope Daley

Carrington PS, Laura Road, Knoxfield, 3180. Tel: 9763 9600 Principal: Ian Craighead

How to register

  1. Select the program you would like your child to attend.
  2. Complete and send the enclosedRegistration Form to P.O. Box 1389, Upwey Victoria, 3158 by Wednesday, 18th March, 2009.
  3. You will then receive an invoice and your payment will be due by Wednesday,1st April 2009.

Price & payment information

The costs of the programs are shown on the enclosed registration form and reflect the number of hours and weeks of each program. You will be issued with an invoice after your registration form is received. Your child’s place on the program will be confirmed upon receipt of your full payment.

Registrations for Term 2, 2009 must be received by
5pm, Wednesday 18th March, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Grades 12

Day: Tuesday
Times:9.00 am- 11.00 am
Dates:21st, 28th April, 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th May
Venue:Wantirna South PS
Cost:$132.00 (Incl. GST) / Defeat the Maths Monster(Maths)6 weeks
What would it be like if the Maths Monster was EVERYWHERE? If you had to make up heaps of maths questions to keep the Maths Monster away? For example, how long does it take to get ready for school if it takes 10 minutes to get dressed, 15 for breakfast and 5 to brush your teeth? And how many cars do you see on the way to school if you see 7 red ones, 4 blue ones and 9 white ones? OH NO! What if one of them is a truck? Then if the teacher puts everyone into 5 groups of 4, how many children are there? What if two children are away? How many groups could you have then? If the answer to a question is ‘6 ice-creams’, what could the question be?
When you come to this program you will help to defeat the Maths Monster. The only way is to make up and answer as many maths questions as you can. There’ll be a new theme each week. After a while the Maths Monster will begin to get tired. Can we defeat him before the end of the term? Let’s hope so!

Grades 34

Day: Tuesday
Times:12.00 noon - 3.30pm
(Includes a 30 minute break)
Dates:21st, 28th April, 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th May
Venue:Wantirna South PS
Cost:$198.00 (Incl. GST) / Maths Tricksters’ Club(Maths)6 weeks
Come and join the Maths Tricksters’ Club to experiment with maths tricks. Each week you will be presented with new tricks and puzzles. Can you solve them? How do they work? Can you change the trick somehow to make a new trick? Try your new trick with family, friends or classmates. They’ll be amazed!
This program will appeal to you if you love playing with Maths and would like to know more about how our number system works. Sometimes you’ll work by yourself and others times with a small group. This program will help you to understand Maths even better than you do now.

Grades 5 & 6

Day: Monday
Times:12.00 noon - 3.30pm
(Includes a 30 minute break)
Dates:20th, 27th April, 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th May
Venue:Wantirna South PS
Cost:$198.00 (Incl. GST) / Herlock Shoams’ School of Mathematical Deduction(Maths)6 weeks
Do you love Maths and think you have what it takes to succeed at the School of Mathematical Deduction? The school is run by the famous mathematics detective, Herlock Shoams, who can solve any mathematics problem by using one of his Nine Reliable Rules for Solving Impossible Problems. In this program you will attend Herlock Shoams’ famous school. Every week you will be presented with a new ‘impossible’ mathematics problem to solve. You will learn how to use Herlock’s Nine Reliable Rules and to solve the problems. Sometimes you’ll work by yourself and other times with your classmates. You’ll use what you already know about Maths and improve your problem-solving skills. You’ll be amazed by the number of solutions you come up with!

WHOLE-DAY PROGRAMS

Grades 3, 45

Day: Tuesday
Times:9 am – 3:30 pm
(Includes two breaks)
Dates:2nd & 9th June
Venue:Knox Gardens PS
Cost:$110.00 (Incl. GST) / Who Stole The Sustainability Key? – Grades 3, 4, 5(General) 2 days
In this program our job will be to find out who ‘stole’ the ‘Sustainability Key’. First of all we’ll work out what crime has been committed and examine the crime scene. Then we’ll look for clues, examine evidence, build a case and bring down a verdict. Finally we’ll decide what the guilty person has to do to pay for their crime.
During this program you will use some ‘Thinking Strategies’ such as ‘Bums Up, Heads Down’ and De Bono’s ‘Action Shoes’ (they’re a bit like the Thinking Hats). You’ll also learn heaps about the environment and ways to protect it from damage by people. But will you find out who really stole the Sustainability Key?

Grades 4, 5 & 6

Day: Thursday
Times:9 am – 3:30 pm
(Includes two breaks)
Dates:4th, 11th & 18th June
Venue:Carrington PS
Cost:$165.00 (Incl. GST) / Film Making(General) 3 days
Do you have an idea for a film you’d like to make? Perhaps you’ve done a Thinking Outside The Box Program such as Mini Documentary, Passion Project or It’s All Greek to Me and would like to turn it into a film? Or you might have done some research on a topic you’re passionate about or might even have some footage from your own camcorder? Whatever the case, this program will enable you to turn your work into a film.
We will plan and do the filming in the first couple of sessions. Then you will use the iMovie computer program to edit your film, add a title, sound effects and credits. Following completion of this program, you will receive a DVD to take home and show your friends and family on TV or computer.

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