Beyond The Box

Dear GT Families,

This week in GT, we explored the Habit of Mind: Finding Humor and why it’s crucial for success. We evaluated the relationship between humor, intelligence, creativity, and joy, examining how finding humor in everyday situations can help students build resilience.

We began by playing “Meme-o-Meter,” where memes were individually rated on a scale of 1-4. By comparing our ratings, we recognized how much personal perspective influences our unique sense of humor.

From there, we discussed how finding humor—especially when things aren’t going well—provides relief from stress and is actually beneficial for brain health and well-being. In fact, an appreciation for humor helps students bounce back from adversity and feel more resilient.

To wrap up, using a Humor Product Choice Board, Lucy created and presented something funny using her own style.

Consider asking Lucy 3 things she found funny today and share with her 3 things you found funny. Research shows that doing this regularly increases overall happiness and helps us retrain our brains to be more resilient.

Try some of these resources to extend your student’s learning and share a few laughs together:

https://habitsofmindkids.com/blog/4-ways-to-teach-finding-humor

4 Ways to Teach Finding Humor

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/action-adventure/article/just-joking

Read the jokes and try to guess the punch lines! Then decide how funny each joke is and rate it on the super silly Laugh-o-Meter.

Please note that this was our final GT session of the school year. It has been a joy watching Lucy grow, think critically, and share her unique perspective!

We will pick back up with our GT services next school year. I am excited to share that next year will not be a "class of one." Lucy will be joining a small group of GT2 students, and the fun, collaborative learning will continue! Detailed information regarding schedules and start dates will be sent out as we get closer to the new term.

Thank you for a wonderful year of growth and discovery!

As students begin their journey in GT services, our first goal is to help them understand how they think, not just what they think. To do this, we are introducing the Habits of Mind.

What are Habits of Mind? Developed by Dr. Art Costa and Bena Kallick, these are 16 essential "thinking dispositions." Think of them as a mental compass. They are the behaviors we use when we are faced with a problem we don’t immediately know how to solve. For many new GT students, school has often come "easy"—Habits of Mind prepare them for the moment things get challenging!

By mastering these habits early on, our students aren't just becoming better at school—they are becoming powerful, independent thinkers ready for any challenge the year throws at them!

Curious about Camp Invention? It’s the perfect summer extension for our GT thinkers who love to build, design, and problem-solve. Check out the link below for more details!

Email: ta-tanisha.jefferson@risd.org