Develop a Plan for Gifted Students (Monday)

Research your school district's policy concerning the gifted student. Just as the education of the special needs student is organized around the Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, the education of the gifted student is often organized around a Gifted Enrichment Plan, or GEP. Organize or attend a meeting to develop an academic enrichment plan that involves the student, the parents, the guidance counselor, and other teachers. In the written plan, develop specific guidelines for each participant involved in the gifted child’s academic enrichment. If your division offers academic academies, consider the appropriateness of placement within such an environment. Determine and record the yearly projects the child will complete, the special programs the child will attend, and the contests the child will enter. Clearly define the responsibilities of each person responsible for the implementation of the GEP.

Arrange Independent Study (Tuesday)

Nurture the “quick study” characteristics of gifted students by developing independent study projects related to course content. While re-teaching is standard methodology in general classrooms, it is often unnecessary for the gifted student. Encourage the gifted student to demonstrate mastery of the required topic and then develop a plan for deeper study of an aspect of the unit content with the gifted student. Develop a rubric for the independent study project to clearly communicate your expectations. Encourage students to engage in inductive reasoning by presenting a problem related to the topic of study and by asking the gifted student to research potential solutions to the problem. Encourage gifted students engaged in independent study to share their findings with a broad audience, such as the class.

Suggest Supplemental Reading for Gifted Students (Wednesday)

Typically, gifted students enjoy reading and glean much information from the written word. Deepen or expand the gifted student’s opportunity to learn about course content by suggesting supplemental readings. For example, when studying Shakespeare in English, suggest that they explore additional readings from works such as Elizabeth, I to expand their understanding of the Elizabethan world in which Shakespeare lived. Provide at least two supplemental titles related to content, and permit the gifted child to select the title most suited to his or her interests and abilities.

Use Authentic Assessment with Gifted Students (Thursday)

Evaluate the gifted student’s performance using authentic assessment. Standard assessments may limit the child’s demonstration of acquired knowledge; whereas, PowerPoint® presentations, speeches, Web page production, inventions, games, and classroom demonstrations may permit a more expansive demonstration of learning. Encourage these students to create school displays and to enter contests congruent to their area of interest.

Create a Database of Enrichment Opportunities (Friday)

Research opportunities offered to gifted students in your area. Often, local colleges and universities offer enrichment programs to local school children, both during the school year and during summer holidays. In addition to outside enrichment activities, identify opportunities that exist within the school itself, such as participation in Chess Club or on an Odyssey of the Mind team, that might interest gifted students. Create a database of these opportunities, including fields for title of the program, location, and the name of a contact person. Offer parents of gifted students access to the database to help them locate appropriate enrichment opportunities for their children.