Kids love exploring complex topics, and the more than 150 ready-to-use projects in this book will get their minds working and their hands investigating as they complete fun tasks like “Can You See Sound?” and “It's All in the Advertising.” The research-oriented activities in this book will help teachers provide differentiated learning experiences for advanced and gifted learners based on grade-level content. Each project is written for learners in grades 3-5 to use independently, and the teacher-friendly projects require few additional materials and very little guidance. The projects are fully integrated, with many employing skills from several content areas. Learners will use 21st-century skills as they explore grade-level content more deeply through specific, intensive online research. Grades 3-5

Make a Twist© is intended to assist teachers in the identification and implementation of appropriate differentiation strategies for gifted students. This can be done within the context of curricula activities and assessment tasks. The following strategies are complex and challenging, therefore appropriate and engaging for gifted and high ability primary and middle school students. Based on June Maker's curriculum differentiation model, developed specifically for gifted students, Make a Twist© provides outlines for differentiating curriculum using higher order thinking skills and problem solving. Modifications can be made to three curriculum-related elements in order to meet the specific learning needs of individual gifted students or groups of learners. According to Maker's Model, gifted students require differentiation in one or a combination of the following areas:  Content  Process  Product In order for successful learning to occur, gifted students also require an appropriate learning environment to be created. Educators are encouraged to place particular emphasis on the student-centered classroom where learner independence, acceptance, and open-mindedness is celebrated. Make a Twist© supports teachers to provide flexible environments for their students' learning, allowing for high mobility and the development of higher-order thinking skills, complex thoughts and abstract ideas. With the aid of Make a Twist©, the teacher acts as a facilitator to help the student select differentiation strategies and in doing so, encourages independent learning. Parental involvement is encouraged to build understanding and meet individual learning needs through specific forms of curriculum differentiation. When used in conjunction with a portfolio of the work produced, Make a Twist© provides a record of curriculum differentiation, where student talent is enhanced and recognised throughout the student's time in formal education. A balanced, well-articulated programme should include a variety of qualitatively different modifications to provide opportunities to challenge the gifted student. All of the differentiation strategies in this resource book have been identified as appropriate, comprehensive, adaptable, and practical for gifted students. It is suggested that specific strategies in each differentiation area, in conjunction with an independent learning programme, should be created to provide an overall education that meets the individual gifted student's learning needs.

Describes six strategies for designing, building, implementing, sustaining, and growing a new or existing gifted program, and includes real-life examples, recommended books and organizations, a glossary, and reproducibles.

Revised and updated edition helps educators increase rigor and depth for all advanced and gifted learners to fulfill their potential. With increasing numbers of students receiving gifted services every year, it’s more important than ever for differentiated instruction to go beyond adjusting content levels, task complexity, or product choice—it must truly challenge and support learners on all levels: academic, social, and emotional. This award-winning resource in the field of gifted education has been revised and updated to include: a discussion of underserved learners—particularly English language learners, students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and economically disadvantaged students updated information on learning standards, MTSS, and universal screening new guidelines for honors courses a focus on scholarly questioning, ethics, and empathy a novel new strategy to increase curricular depth and complexity information on learning orientations new research on neurological differences of gifted learners the pros and cons of co-teaching and how to assess its progress new tools to increase achievement, plus a discussion of “underlearning” the benefits of coaching and lesson study the authors’ perspectives on and guidelines for grading Downloadable digital content includes customizable reproducible forms and a PDF presentation; a free PLC/Book Study Guide for use in professional development is also available.

The newly revised and updated fourth edition of Methods and Materials for Teaching the Gifted is an excellent introduction to gifted education and real-world learning. The chapters of this comprehensive textbook are written by respected leaders in the field of gifted education. The authors review the unique needs of gifted learners and give current information on instructional planning and evaluation, strategies for best practices, and ongoing enhancement and support of gifted programs. Chapters include topics such as differentiated curricular design, extending learning through research, writing challenging instructional units, and developing leadership skills and innovative thinkers. Instructional practices such as problem-based learning, technology literacy, independent study, simulation and gaming, and more are addressed. A special focus is given to using the Gifted Education Programming Standards and Common Core State Standards. The fourth edition provides updated information on funding sources and public relations strategies for gifted education programs. It also includes updated lists of books, teaching materials, websites, and other resources for teachers of the gifted.

This second edition provides teachers with practical information and support for meeting the needs of advanced learners in today's classrooms. Included is research about the definitions of giftedness, identification procedures, and the various types of programs developed to specifically address gifted learners’ needs. Featuring classroom scenarios, suggestions for diverse learners, and a variety of lesson ideas, this resource supports the purposeful differentiation of the curriculum across the content areas. A useful guide for all grades, this book will cut through the confusion surrounding what to differentiate and how to differentiate.