Small groups resulted in big results.
During the month of June, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District students who participated in Small Group Investigations, also known as SGI, showcased what they learned about various topics throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
Small Group Investigations is one of Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District’s gifted programs at the Grades K-4 level. Students met with a teacher once per week for most of the year and explored big ideas beyond the curriculum.
During these sessions, students formulated research questions, conducted research, analyzed results, and created meaningful products that informed or entertained an audience. Teachers explicitly taught the research process and facilitated student research.
Students in Grades K-3 worked as a group to answer questions such as, “What makes a playground fun?” or “What makes our school community special?” or “What can we do today to make a better tomorrow?”
Students in 4th Grade selected their own topics based on their passions. Research in a self-selected area of interest fosters the development of specific talents, positive learning habits and attitudes, and research, critical and creative thinking skills. Students created products that are meaningful to them and perhaps serve a greater purpose for the community.
One example of this highly successful project occurred at the Bradley Gardens Primary School. There, 1st Grade students made observations, conducted interviews and researched playgrounds
Then the Bradley Gardens students wrote, drew and constructed their own ideal playground. Then these students discussed their ideas with other students and visitors to the school.