Sixth graders in the EXCEL gifted program recently completed a Dream House assignment, intended to examine the role architecture plays in our world and teach self-directed work habits of time management skills, work ethic, planning, craftsmanship and creativity.

The students first learned about scale, creating blueprints from scratch. They were encouraged to use recycled materials as well as including elements of their individual personalities in the designs, including their hobbies and preferences in lighting and color. Finally, the middle schoolers were asked to self-reflect about what they learned about themselves from the project, including analysis of their work ethic, as they were allowed to set their own due dates for all components of the assignment.