Differentiation For Gifted Learners

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.

This critical volume provides readers with a deep understanding of why and how to differentiate curriculum and instruction to better meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of advanced and gifted learners. Offering clear, constructure frameworks for learning, chapters focus on four key concepts – review, reinforce, refine, and redefine – which help readers create individualized learning experiences and differentiate standards-based curriculums. Filled with specific examples, lessons, and units of study, this essential guide emphasizes differentiation as a means to differ the What (curriculum) as well as the How (instruction) to successfully respond to the many facets of students’ giftedness.

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.

Focusing on the link between gifted education and general education, this resource discusses the benefits of differentiating curriculum and instruction.

Gifted students can exhibit extreme variance in both their abilities and their interests, yet they are often treated within schools as one homogeneous, specialized population. Personalized Learning in Gifted Education helps educators strengthen their differentiation of both instruction and services for advanced students. This book: • helps educators develop the specific gifts and talents of the gifted students they serve • demonstrates how educators can utilize the wealth of data they have at their disposal • provides a rationale and blueprint for a stronger, more personalized approach to gifted education • offers suggestions for both elementary and secondary schools. Recommendations center around five features of personalized learning: personalized learning plans, project- or problem- based learning, competency-based progression through the curriculum, criterion-referenced assessments, and multi-year mentoring.

A lively read from a working teacher offers practical engagement strategies for students with attention challenges If learning is a motor, student engagement is the key. But when teaching students with ADHD and other attention challenges, sometimes even the most finely tuned classroom can sputter. Teach for Attention! is your tool belt of teaching strategies for students with ADHD, low self-confidence, distraction, and other attention challenges. Dozens of true classroom stories show the strategies in action. It’s all about making simple fixes so you can reach every student without changing your approach or revamping your curriculum. Carry these ideas with you like tools on a belt—the right one will be there when you need it!

Since 1992, TEACHING GIFTED KIDS IN THE REGULAR CLASSROOM has been the definitive guide to meeting the learning needs of gifted students in the mixed-abilities classroom. This revised, expanded, and updated edition of the proven best-seller includes new chapters on the characteristics of gifted students and parenting gifted kids. Throughout, the compacting and differentiating strategies that were the core of the first edition have been greatly expanded. Also included are many new forms that teachers will use every day.

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.