Best Practices In Gifted Education

A gifted education Legacy Award winner, Best Practices in Gifted Education provides concise, up-to-date, research-based advice to educators, administrators, and parents of gifted and talented youth. The 29 practices included in this volume are the result of an extensive examination of educational research on what works with talented youth. The interest in culturally diverse and low-income learners, the means to identify talents, and the need for curriculum that appropriately challenges high-ability youth constitute just a few of the 29 practices. Each practice is organized into a chapter containing two sections: What We Know and What We Can Do. The first section briefly describes the practice and summarizes the research. The second section suggests what course of action a parent, teacher, or administrator might take at home, in the classroom, or at school. The book is a must-have for those who want a guide that makes a connection between research and practical action in gifted education. A service publication of the National Association for Gifted Children (Washington, DC). This designation indicates that this book has been jointly developed with NAGC and that this book passes the highest standards of scholarship, research, and practice.

Educators and parents need practical information they can use now to help them best understand and support the gifted learners in their lives. Because of the unique social and emotional needs faced by gifted learners—not to mention the unique academic needs—teaching and parenting them can be as demanding as it is rewarding. These 36 articles provide much-needed help. They are a “best of” from the last seven years of the Gifted Education Communicator, the national publication of the California Association for the Gifted. With contributions from respected scholars as well as new experts in the field, this book is sensitive, positive, and packed with ideas and up-to-date facts.

Several states offer additional teacher preparation programs by providing either an endorsement or certification in the field, but these are often pursued by teachers specifically enrolled in gifted coursework rather than in general education programs. Practitioners and researchers agree that time and energy should be spent on training teachers in how to address the needs of gifted and talented students, both within the regular classroom and in specialized programs. This three-book series acknowledges this need and provides specific strategies for professional development in a variety of settings using various methods. Drawing on both literature in the field and research-based best practices in professional learning, this series provides the reader with a foundation for designing and implementing effective professional development experiences for educators working with gifted learners. This volume focuses on a variety of techniques and methods in professional development. From reflection practices, to using case studies, to incorporating technology, authors provide specific tools and resources to consider when delivering effective professional development related to this specific population of learners. A service publication of the National Association for Gifted Children (Washington, DC) This designation indicates that this book has been jointly developed with NAGC and that this book passes the highest standards of scholarship, research, and practice.

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.

A Field Guide to Gifted Students is a practical manual to the unique characteristics of gifted and advanced learners. Presented as a concise 32-page, full-color booklet available in sets of 10 print copies or a single eBook copy, this resource: Can be used in teacher workshops and other group professional learning settings. Assists educators in understanding and meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted students. Includes a companion online facilitator's guide. Features practical tips based on current research and best practices. Is packed with illustrations, checklists, space to write notes, and a glossary of terms. School can feel like the wrong fit for many gifted learners, but through learning how to notice and support gifted students' diverse traits and needs, educators can build ideal classroom climates for student success. Readers will understand how to identify giftedness and related traits, including twice-exceptionality, introversion and extroversion, perfectionism, sensitivity, and intuitiveness. The online facilitator's guide includes everything workshop leaders need to conduct a brief course for classroom teachers, coordinators, counselors, or even parents.

Several states offer additional teacher preparation programs by providing either an endorsement or certification in the field, but these are often pursued by teachers specifically enrolled in gifted coursework rather than in general education programs. Practitioners and researchers agree that time and energy should be spent on training teachers in how to address the needs of gifted and talented students, both within the regular classroom and in specialized programs. This three-book series acknowledges this need and provides specific strategies for professional development in a variety of settings using various methods. Drawing on both literature in the field and research-based best practices in professional learning, this series provides the reader with a foundation for designing and implementing effective professional development experiences for educators working with gifted learners. This volume acknowledges specific challenges facing both practitioners and their students. The authors present strategies and helpful resources related to several special populations and topics unique to the field, such as twice-exceptional learners, underachieving gifted students, the underrepresentation of minorities, acceleration options, and assisting educators to work with parents. A service publication of the National Association for Gifted Children (Washington, DC)This designation indicates that this book has been jointly developed with NAGC and that this book passes the highest standards of scholarship, research, and practice.

The field of gifted education is characterized by a confusing array of perspectives concerning such fundamental issues as definition, philosophy, curriculum, social and emotional development, and underserved populations. The mission of this book is to provide a coherent framework that instructors and service providers can use in planning effective programs, providing appropriate counseling services, and evaluating programs for the gifted. Most sections are organized around fundamental issues confronting the field and follow a common structure: an introductory chapter that provides historical and theoretical background and organizing questions followed by several point-of-view chapters written by experts that provide varied perspectives on the topic at hand. Distinguishing Features Comprehensive Coverage - The book's forty-five manageable-length chapters cover the full range of topics that must be considered in planning programs and services for gifted students both within and outside of school. Coherent Structure - Section introductions provide background information and organizing questions to guide chapter authors who provide varying views of the issue at hand. The emphasis is not on the "right way" or the "wrong way" (except when clearly documented bad practice is discussed), but on how best practice stems from well-informed and logical decision-making. Decision Making Focus - The book's introductory chapter addresses the need for a clearly developed and consistently applied set of values to guide decision making. Likewise, each section introduction includes a decision making framework regarding some aspect of educating, counseling, or parenting gifted students. This book is appropriate for introductory level courses in gifted education or courses in program development and planning. It is also suitable for school personnel responsible for making program planning decisions in the area of gifted education and for academic libraries with holdings in this area.

In this updated 3rd edition of Being Smart the authors provide current views on gifted education and on nurturing children's and adolescents' abilities. They discuss equity and diversity, creativity, assessments, homeschooling, neural plasticity, social-emotional issues, and more. Drs. Matthews and Foster address questions and concerns, and share resources. This book is for parents, grandparents, and teachers who want to foster high-level development and meaningful learning opportunities.Being Smart About Gifted Learning, the third edition of this book, emerges out of our decades of personal and professional experiences with giftedness, and also from a shared sense of the joys, challenges, and uniqueness of every child. In this book, we discuss ways to nurture children's learning and well-being across many dimensions of their lives.We've written Being Smart About Gifted Learning with parents in mind, but also for grandparents, teachers, and others who want to encourage children's and adolescents' optimal development. One of the themes running through this book, as with the first two editions, is that there's no single formula to follow. The best place to begin is by reflecting on your child's uniqueness. Consider their emotional, social, intellectual, and physical interests, strengths, and challenges, and learn to empower them to engage more meaningfully with a wide range of learning opportunities.