High Ability Blog

Check out this new blog for resources and information on Gifted Education and High Ability Children!

http://highability.wordpress.com/

HOW DOES Access to Resources Create a Stronger Community?

Within your community there are many different resources that help your community to prosper and grow. These resources could include schools, libraries, police stations, and hospitals. When major decisions are made regarding the location of new resources there is an extensive amount of research done before any construction begins. Community members, government officials, and city planners will sit down with a grid or map of the community and decide the location for the new resource that will best benefit the community. One important aspect considered is the actual distance for the new resource from existing resources. A community may want the school and library in close proximity to each other but the jail to be located far from the school. Community sustainability depends highly on the location of its resources.

Check out this link to TeachersPayTeachers:

What Gifted Students Need From You

An article that is worth reading is written by Anthony S. Colucci, a National Board-certified teacher and member of the Teacher Leaders Network, coordinates and teaches in the gifted-student program at four elementary schools in Central Florida. He is the author of Copilots, Duties & Pina Coladas: How to Be a Great Teacher and has earned numerous awards for his innovative and creative lessons.

Here is the link to the article from Education Week Teacher. It's the first article:

http://www.edweek.org/tm/collections/teacher-leaders-network/index.html


Practical tips such as using data to differentiate instruction and create appropriate challenges, maintaining realistic expectations about what your students know and can do, and supporting your students' social and emotional learning.

Education Week Events shown on the right-hand side of website offer webinars that may be helpful. I signed up for the session on Blended Learning. It's called Blended Learning Strategies for K-12 Leaders that will be given on November 17, at 2:00 p.m.

Online Math Manipulatives

Here are some good websites that contain online Math Manipulatives:

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

http://www.mathcats.com/grownupcats/fractionsites.html

http://www.mathplayground.com/math_manipulatives.html

FYI

About.com: Gifted Children
From Carol Bainbridge, your Guide to Gifted Children

Next week (October 16-22) is Chemistry Week. It's a great week to throw a science party (complete with chemistry magic tricks), learn about chemistry and just have some chemistry fun!

How To Throw a Science Party
Chemistry is science so why not have a science party? This article provides you with some science-oriented fun and activities, but you can add some more chemistry related ones if you want to.

Top Chemistry Projects for Bored Kids
Does your child ever get bored? Maybe a better question would be "Do you need something fun to do when your child gets bored?" These chemistry projects will get rid of that boredom!

Science Magic Tricks
Here are some really cool tricks like turning pennies into gold and silver coins! Okay, it really doesn't change the elemental nature of those coins, but it does look like it. Some of the tricks young kids can do themselves, but most of them are tricks adults should perform to the delight of the children -- like holding a fireball.

Promoting Inquiry in the Gifted Classroom - The Educacher

Click on the link below. A blog called The Educacher has the following post:
http://educacher.blogspot.com/2011/06/promoting-inquiry-in-gifted-classroom.html

http://issuu.com/jsnhubbard/docs/gpsgisin_classroom/11



Promoting Inquiry in the Gifted Classroom Through GPS and GIS Technologies

Another article worth reading is cited below:
Broda, H.W., et.al, Using GIS and GPS Technology as an Instructional Tool. The Social Studies (Washington, D.C.) v.94 no. 4 (July/August 2003) p. 158-60.

Byrdseed Gifted

Check out this website:

http://www.byrdseed.com/

What is Byrdseed?

A place dedicated to gifted education. Learn new ideas, share what you know, and grow as an educator. The author's name is Ian Byrd.

If you sign up to receive newsletters this month, you'll receive a free PDF eBook entitled Improving your Gifted Classroom: 7 Ways in 7 Days.

There is a recent article entitled Four Ways to Differentiate Objectives. Follow the link to view the article:
http://www.byrdseed.com/four-ways-to-differentiate-objectives/

Within the article are other links to take you to various resources and related articles. Great stuff!

Astronomy for Enrichment

Check out this website:
http://www.alcorcc.org/ASTRO/homepage.html

It's presented byPaul J. GrimSouth East Ohio Astronomical Society (SEOAS)pjgrim@wildblue.netforAthens Community Television, Inc Athens Ohio http://www.actv23.com/

Join their local astronomy club. It's free. Together with the OU Department of Physics and Astronomy they have been observing sessions and are invited to talks that are of special interest to non-professionals.

Just go to the website given below and email their president and say you want to join. It's that easy! South East Ohio Astronomical Society (SEOAS)Athens Ohio

http://www.athensastronomy.org/

iPad Apps that Address Bloom's Taxonomy

There's a three part blog that appeared on Edutopia this month:

K-5 iPad Apps for Remembering: Part One of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-diane-darrow

K-5 iPad Apps for Understanding: Part Two of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-understanding-diane-darrow

K-5 iPad Apps for Applying: Part Three of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-applying-diane-darrow

And a couple sites from Kathy Schrock:

http://kathyschrock.net/ipadblooms/
https://sites.google.com/site/schrockipad/

Gifted Video - A Must See!

Copy and Paste the link below to view the video on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9NETlLtXlE

A number of people who hold misconceptions and misperceptions about what Gifted and Talented (GT) Education is all about, according to Tamara Fisher, a K-12 gifted education specialist for a school district located on an Indian reservation in northwestern Montana and President of the Montana Association of Gifted and Talented Education. With Karen Isaacson, she is also co-author of Intelligent Life in the Classroom: Smart Kids and Their Teachers.
These misunderstandings about GT are – sadly – common, and she's discovered them in all walks of people: community members, regular classroom teachers, administrators, parents of non-GT kids, other students, society as a whole, and even parents of GT kids and the occasional GT Specialist. Certainly not everyone misinterprets the purpose of Gifted Education, but it does seem to be the balance of attitude and opinion that many people hold towards GT. It is hard work to dispel these misperceptions! Her goal is to “re-frame” these misconceptions for you with new language that can help you explain to others what GT is really all about.

Each of these begins with a misunderstanding – a statement of what GT is NOT (or should not be), followed by a statement of what GT actually IS (or should be).
GT is NOT a reward for kids who behave well in class and turn in perfect work. Rather it IS an academic necessity for children who learn differently. Their learning and abilities are significantly different from the norm.

GT is NOT a program for kids with exceptional grades. Rather, it IS a program for kids with exceptional abilities and potential… who may or may not have exceptional grades to show for it.

GT is NOT fun for fun's sake. Rather, it IS often fun for the sake of challenge and learning.

GT is NOT for kids who are "better" or "more special” than other kids. Rather, it IS a program for kids who think and learn dramatically differently from the norm. All kids are special. But “gifted” does not equal “special.”

GT is NOT a program only for good kids. Rather, it IS a program for kids who need more depth, breadth, and a quicker pace.

GT is NOT a test of what the kid does know. Rather, it IS an opportunity for the kid to go beyond – into what he DOESN’T know.

GT is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT a privilege!!!!! Rather, it IS an essential need for children whose pace of learning dramatically out-steps other kids. (If only we would let them show us!)

GT is NOT a self-esteem booster for children who seem to need one. Rather, it IS a sincere validation of ability.

GT is NOT about preparing kids to “save the world” someday or “find a cure for cancer.” Rather, it IS about reaching kids who learn differently TODAY.

GT is NOT a “club” to belong to. Rather, it IS a peer group where gifted kids can feel like they actually belong.

GT does NOT address only academic needs. Rather, it ALSO addresses social and emotional needs and validates gifts and talents.

GT is NOT about pressure to fit a label or stereotype. Rather, it IS an opportunity for expression and exploration of one's unique self and various abilities.

GT should NOT be an experimental group led by whoever is available. Rather, it SHOULD BE a group that loves to experiment led by knowledgeable and trained staff.

GT should NOT be an optional offering, if convenient. Rather, it SHOULD BE a high priority because there are kids who need it. In many places, this isn’t the case, though.

GT is NOT an easy A. Rather, it IS a challenging learning opportunity that is graded according to progression.

GT is NOT a surplus offering for kids who have surplus knowledge. Rather, it IS an academic intervention for kids who don’t learn like other kids do.


To read the full article by Tamara Fisher, click on the link below:
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/2008/07/that_mythological_place_of_is.html

Kathy Schrock's Bloomin' Google

http://kathyschrock.net/googleblooms/

Google Apps and Tools meet Bloom's Revised Taxonomy

The graphic on the website is a clickable image map. Simply click on the tool to visit it!

MENSA for Kids

Check out this cool website for neat ideas based on MENSA. It contains monthly features, many games and activities, and teacher/parent resources.

http://www.mensaforkids.org/

To learn what MENSA is all about, check out these websites:

www.us.mensa.org/giftedchildren

http://www.mensa.org/

iPod/iPad Apps for Teachers & Students

Sparking Student Interest with the iPod Touch

Apps for Teachers and Students

by Stacy Hawthorne & Cassandra Shepherd

(These ladies did a FANTASTIC job of gathering this information for teachers to use!!!! Their email addresses are at the bottom of this post if you would like to contact them for further information.)

Applications:

Social Studies Apps • Historical Documents • Constitution - Contains full text of U. S. Constitution with additional notes for each Article; Also includes brief biographical information on signers of the Constitution. (Free) • Declaration - Contains full text of the Declaration of Independence along with images and biographical sketches of the signers. (Free) • Pocket Constitution - Includes text of U. S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation with glossary feature; Other features include detailed biographical information on the Founding Fathers, Interesting Facts, timelines, and landmark Supreme Court cases. ($1.99) • World History Documents - Over 350 primary source documents and speeches from the course of world history. Includes some audio and video clips to enhance understanding. ($2.99) • General History • American History Funblast Trivia - Players answer American History questions on a variety of topics; One or two player versions are available with several game formats; Includes option to flag missed items for later review. ($0.99) • How Much do you Know about History - Players score points based on speed and accuracy in a multiple choice format with both text and images; Topics span ancient to modern history. (Free) • Pass the Past - Multiple choice quiz in which players select an era in World or American History; Fifty-fifty, hints, and phone a friend features are included. (Free) • Tap U.S. History- Collection of events and dates; Quiz option included. • History Maps - Collection includes a variety of maps organized by historical era.

Ohio Markers - From eTech Ohio it includes every historical marker throughout the state with detail information about each historical site. (Free) • Renaissance • Michaelango - Players move puzzle pieces to reconstruct over forty famous Renaissance works of art by Michelangelo; Includes easy, medium, and hard levels. (Free) • Renaissance Gallery - Contains images of Renaissance art organized by Artist. (Free) • American Revolution • Quizicals American Revolution - Contains biographical information and quotations from America’s Founding Fathers; Users may search by individual or by topic; Also includes quiz option. ($1.99) • Shmoop The American Revolution - Interactive tutorial contains summary, significance, analysis, timelines, glossary, quotations, biographical information, and trivia; Also includes a quiz option. ($1.99) • Civilization Revolution - A classic game from Sid Meier where students can design their own civilization during the era of the American Revolution. ($6.99/ lite version available) • Fathers Free - Contains biographical information and quotations from America’s Founding Fathers; Users may search by individual or by topic; Also includes quiz option. (Free) • In Fact USA - Players are given locations, images, or other facts and must match them to the correct state. ($0.99/ lite version available) • Heritage Fotopedia - Photographs with descriptions from around the world. (Free) • Project Noah - Allows students to contribute to the body of research about their natural world while learning from others as well. (Free) • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - Self-guided virtual tour of 50 years of history documenting the path from slavery to freedom. (Free) • UN Reader - Read the latest news from the UN. (Free) • United Nations - Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about the United Nations including the latest news. (Free) • GEO Walk - Spin the globe and pop the bubbles to see information about any region of the world. Graphically very appealing! ($2.99)

Mathematics • Number Sense • PearlDiver - Students are given a number and "dive" through obstacles to place the number on the correct place on a number line (Free) • Match-Up Math - Challenge students to a Mah-Jong type game where they can match combinations of decimals, fractions, and percents. ($2.99) • Number Line - Students are given a variety of fractions, decimals, and percents and must place them in their proper position on a number line. (Free) • Motion Math - Students use the accelerometer to navigate a bouncing number to its proper position on a number line at the bottom of the screen. ($0.99) • MathKnack Genius- Students must use order of operations to make math equations true. They have the option of playing a solo game or against a classmate. ($0.99) • NineGaps - A sudoku type game where students place the numbers one through nine into the equation grid to balance the grid. ($0.99/ lite version available) • Random - Generates random numbers, great for probability experiments. (Free) • Rocket Math - Students solve math problems to earn pieces to make a rocket. Includes varying degrees of difficulty for easy differentiation. ($0.99/ lite version available) • Pi - calculates pi to any number of digits that you request. (Free) • Math Ninja - Solve math equations as quick as you can to defend your tree house using your ninja-like skills. The faster you solve, the more ninja power you have. ($1.99/ lite version available) • Fractions • TicTacMath-Fractions - Tic-tac-tie game where students can play against the computer or a classmate and must solve fraction problems of varying complexity to place their mark on the game board. ($4.99) • Fractions (Tap To Learn) - Students learn and study all aspects of fractions. ($0.99) • Algebra • meStudying Algebra I - General study guide covering a wide range of topics from Algebra I, including sample problems to solve. ($4.99) • Equation Genius - Check your solutions on anything from first degree equations to systems of equations with three unknowns. (Free) • Khan Academy Algebra - Video tutorials on a wide range of Algebra topics. (Free) • Khan Academy Pre-Algebra - Video tutorials on a wide range of Pre-Algebra topics. (Free) • yourTeacher.com Slope-Intercept Form - Simple review of slope-intercept. (Free) • TicTacMath-Algebra - Tic-tac-tie game where students can play against the computer or a classmate and must solve algebraic problems of varying complexity to place their mark on the game board. ($4.99) • Pre-Algebra Guide - Covers 325 topics in Algebra I complete with examples. ($1.99) • Hot Potato Algebra - Use the iPod as a real-life hot potato as you solve algebra problems as quickly as possible before you pass it on to a friend. (Free) • Factor Race - Players must identify the factors of binomial and trinomial equations to advance in the race. (Free) • Algebra Champ - Introductory algebra skills are introduced with a prize fighting theme. (Free) • Geometry • iPolygons - Provides basic information about polygons. (Free) • Polygons - Easy Math Fun - Gives interior and exterior angle measures for polygons and includes a glossary of common geometric terms. ($0.99) •Math Games • Slice It! - Students are challenged to cut geometric figures into congruent pieces. ($0.99) • Slice It! Begins - Free version of Slice It! (Free) • SET - App version of the classic card game where students are challenged to match sets using up to three variables. ($2.99) • Geared - Match the different size gears to make them function as a machine. ($0.99/ free lite version available) • Tangram Puzzle Pro - Use tangram pieces to make various shapes and pictures. ($0.99/ free lite version available) • UConnect - Connect a pattern of dots without lifting your finger or retracing your lines. ($1.99/ free lite version available) • sudoku2 - Classic sudoku. (Free) • Math Flash Cards - Flashcards using binary functions with numbers up through twelve. You can set the difficulty level of the Flashcards and get immediate feedback on how students are progressing at mastering their math facts. ($0.99) • Free GraCalc - A simple graphing calculator. (Free) • MATHO 2 - Compete against a friend in a bingo style math game using binary functions and varying degrees of complexity. ($0.99) • Math Contests - Sample contests for the Ohio Math League for grades four through eight. The app scores the practice contest for you. (Free/ teacher edition app also available free) • iLiveMath-Winter Sports - Awesome graphics keep students engaged as they solve real-world math problems ranging from addition and subtraction to averaging numbers. ($0.99 with different iLiveMath apps available for $4.99) • Math Snacks - Amazingly hilarious videos with lesson plans for teaching ratio and proportion. (Free) • iFractal - Generates different fractals. (Free) • Convert ~ the unit calculator - Converts units of measure for just about any unit imaginable. ($1.99) • Who Wants to be a Mathionaire? - Just like the TV game show, but all math! Topics range from algebra, arithmetic, geometry, probability, logic, and others. ($1.99) • Wolfram Alpha - The ultimate database of mathematical information. Ask any question or type in any problem and Alpha will give you the answer, a visual depiction, and all the details! ($1.99)

Language Arts •Word Games • Boggle - Single or multiple players search for words in a scrambled grid of letters to earn points. ($0.99) • Scrabble - Single or multiple players must form words with given word tiles to earn points; Includes dictionary and additional assistance features. ($1.99/ lite version available) • Mad Libs - Students supply various parts of speech to create themed stories (Free) • Chicktionary - Players are given “eggs” with letters and must score points by creating words with the provided letters. ($1.99/ lite and Bing versions available for Free) • MadGab - Language Arts logic puzzles. (Free) •Grammar Jammers • Primary - Students watch various grammar tutorials set to music after which a brief quiz is given; Once quiz questions are mastered, players may access a practice game. Corresponds with Scott Foresman curriculum. (Free) • Elementary - see above ($2.99) • Middle - see above ($2.99) • Dictionary • Dictionary.com - Comprehensive dictionary. (Free) • Merriam Webster - Comprehensive dictionary. (Free) • Reading • Vocab Ghost - Three version based on the books The Impossible Dive, The Queen and Mr. Cunningham, and The Day they Skipped Emma’s Party where students become vocabulary experts by choosing the appropriate words to journey through a video game type interface. (Free) • K-12 Timed Reading - Help students practice their fluency with this app from the online education school, K-12. (Free) • Books • Kindle - eBook reader. (Free) • iBooks - ebook reader. (Free) • The Secret Garden - Novel by Louisa May Alcott. (Free) • Gulliver's Travels - Novel by Jonathan Swift. ($0.99) • Classics - Various classical works of literature. (Free) • Stanza - eBook reader. (Free) • Shakespeare - Complete works of William Shakespeare with search feature. (Free) •Writing • Grammar Express: Active and Passive Voice - Teaches active and passive voice in writing through the use of tutorials and self-check quizzes. Includes Progress Meter to track progress. Full paid version available. (Free) • Grammar Express: Parts of Speech - Teaches the parts of speech through the use of tutorials and self-check quizzes. Full paid version available. Includes Progress Meter to track progress. (Free) • Grammar Express: Prepositions - Teaches proper preposition use through the use of tutorials and self-check quizzes. Full paid version available. Includes Progress Meter to track progress. (Free) • Grammar Express: Tenses - Teaches proper verb tenses through the use of tutorials and selfcheck quizzes. Full paid version available. Includes Progress Meter to track progress. (Free) • English Idioms Illustrated - The story behind common idioms with cartoon illustrations of each idiom. (Free)

Science • General Science • 101 Science - Based on the popular book, students can answer multiple choice questions from different science strands including general science, biology, physics, earth science, and chemistry. (Free) • Science Facts - Students can read randomly generated facts on various science topics. (Free) • bistro Science - Gathers the latest news from the science fields and provides easy links. (Free) • Science Quiz - Multiple choice questions on many science topics including biology, zoology, earth, inventions, and space. Students can take a mock test and track their progress with the progress monitoring feature. ($0.99/ lite version available) • Science@VL - A comprehensive glossary of scientific terms. (Free) • Science Games • Cut the Rope - Students can practice basic laws of physics when the cut the dangling food from the swinging rope to feed an cute little alien. ($0.99/ lite version available) • Feed Al - A finger physics odyssey where students place shapes in various locations to create a maze where other objects can get to their desired location using the basic laws of physics. (Free) • Chemistry • Mahjong Chemistry - Use the ancient Mahjong game to match tiles with elemental names to their symbols. (Free) • Astronomy • NASA - Information on NASA missions, images, videos and much more. (Free) • Astronomy Aficionado - Over 200 interesting questions for students on astronomy. ($0.99) • 8 Planets - Students learn about the planets using four different game types: Names, Spelling, Matching, and Black Hole. (Free/ pro-version available for $2.99) • PixPop Smithsonian - Turns pictures from the National Air and Space Museum into a puzzle for students to solve and match. ($0.99) • Tasa Geology Pangea - Illustrates the break-up of Pangea over time. ($0.99) • The Weather Channel - View current weather conditions in any location around the world. (Free) • iBabyBT - Enter the blood type of both parents and the app will generate possible blood types and Rh factors for the offspring. (Free) • EMD Periodic Table of Elements - Interactive periodic table of elements with molar mass calculator and more. Has a classroom presentation mode which supports. (Free) • MATSOL - Engineering toolkit. (Free) • Coaster Physics - Use the laws of physics to create your own virtual coaster then ride your coaster and measure your g-forces. ($0.99) • Google Earth - Navigate the world with a swipe of your finger. (Free) • Liquid dynamics - Ok, it’s just a really cool simulator of motion in water but it does allow students to adjust the stiffness, density, elasticity, and other functions to see how the simulated water responds. (Free) • Bridge Basher - Design and build your own bridge and then see how much weigh it can hold before it collapses. ($0.99)

Other •Trivia Games • Cool Facts - Random facts (kids love this!) ($0.99) • Cash Cab - Play Cash Cab, just like the TV show. ($2.99/ lite version available) • Ben Stein's It'sTriviaLite - Trivia quiz game. (Free/ full version available for $2.99) • QuizQuizQuiz - Trivia quiz game with multi-player modes. ($0.99) • Lumosity Brain Trainer - Keep your frontal lobe working with this brain trainer. Online account required to unlock addition content. (Free) • Brain Quest • Grade 2 - Just like the card games with a variety of categories and challenges designed to be grade-level appropriate. ($2.99) • Grade 4 - see above. ($2.99) • Discovery - Videos, news, quizzes and photos from the popular Discovery channel. (Free) • EyeTricks - Optical illusions. ($0.99) • Translator - Translate from any virtually any language into any other language. (Free) • MiniPiano - A small piano that students can play and create their own music. (Free) • MotionX-Dice - Roll virtual dice with this app. (Free) • Fit it! - Fill the grid by placing various pieces. ($0.99) • BrainPOP - Watch BrainPOP video of the day. (Free) • Tally Counter - Simple tally counter. Great for tracking turns or flips of a coin. • How Stuff Works - Compendium of answers to common questions about everyday things. (Free) • Animoto - Make music videos from pictures on your iPod. (Free) • Battleship - App version of the classic Battleship game with very engaging graphics. ($0.99) • Study Aid - Create your own flashcard sets from which to study. ($1.99) • Google Translate - Translate between any two languages. (Free) • Smithsonian Channel - Watch Smithsonian videos, documentaries, or check out the fun facts. (Free) • SchoolTools - Developed by high schoolers for high schoolers with all the essential tools they deemed necessary to traverse high school curriculum. Covers information from all four major content areas. ($0.99/ lite version available)

Shawthorne@bcsoh.org cshepherd@bcsoh.org

Tips for Teachers when Addressing Students' Learning Challenges

From Susan Winebrenner book - "Teaching Strategies for Twice-Exceptional Students."

1. Teach students to appreciate individual differences.

2. Be aware that many students who have learning difficulties are global learners who prefer visual and tactile-kinesthetic formats for learning success.

3. Always teach content by teaching concepts and big ideas first, and details second.

4. Teach students how to set realistic short-term goals and to take credit for reaching them (even if it is only partial completion).

5. Teach in a way that ties past learning to new content.

6. Immerse all the senses in learning activities.

7. Provide specific instruction in organizational techniques.

8. Find and use any available technology that will improve a student's productivity.

9. Allow students to take tests in separate supervised environmentsso they can either read teh test aloud to themselves or have someone else read it to them.

The New RtI: Response to Intelligence

Response to Intelligence advocates for gifted children while supporting the concept that all children on the learning continuum grow and continue to learn. RtI is not just for those who struggle but also for those who demonstrate the capacity for excelling, going beyond the norm. Supported by their 50+ combined years of commitment to gifted education, author and consultant Penny Choice and co-author Dr. Sally Walker, Executive Director for the Illinois Association for Gifted, turn the original RtI model on its side, create a mirror image, and place Tier 2 and Tier 3 students on a continuum, finally providing for ALL students in the classroom – including gifted students. This NEW movement is then, in fact, a Response to INTELLIGENCE.

Ten Free Resources for Teachers

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/02/18/ten-great-sources-of-free-teacher-resources/

1.
Academic Earth offers video lectures from elite universities, and it allows viewers to grade the professors. Academic Earth also offers a “Playlists” feature based around themes such as “Laws of Nature,” “Wars Throughout History,” or “You Are What You Eat.”

2.
Curriki helps connect educators, parents, and students in the development of curriculum and other educational materials. With its open-source curriculum format, Curriki allows anyone to post their teaching ideas for others to view, download, use, reformat, and reshare.

3.
FREE, or Federal Resources for Educational Excellence, is a U.S. Department of Education website that compiles free teacher resources available from dozens of federal agencies. Educators can sign up for the FREE RSS feed, which notifies users when new resources are added. Otherwise, they can browse by topic, from music history to life
sciences.

4.
The Library of Congress’ “For Teachers” page highlights ready-to-use classroom materials that are aligned with state standards and take advantage of the Library’s primary sources. It includes access to primary source sets around topics such as U.S. presidents; short facts or activities for class starters, such as “Today in History” and everyday science mysteries; themed lesson plans for dozens of topics; and even professional development curriculum.

5.
The NASA for Educators page includes featured articles with information about NASA’s various missions; image galleries on a wide variety of topics; information about NASA careers, internships, fellowships, and scholarships; NASA-produced multimedia materials; and more. An Education Materials Finder will help teachers locate NASA resources that can be used in the classroom; users can search by keywords, grade level, product type, and subject. With hundreds of publications and websites indexed, the finder is the best way to locate NASA educational resources, the agency says.

6.
The National Science Digital Library is the nation’s online library for education and research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It provides free math lessons and activities aligned with the Math Common Core Standards, as well as STEM-related blogs and other free teacher resources and lesson plan ideas. Targeted for K-12 teachers, higher-education professionals, and librarians, NSDL also provides science literary maps and iTunes multimedia files.

7.
Online professional development, TV programming and multimedia web content, lesson plan ideas, and ways to connect with other educators are all things featured on the PBS Teachers page. The website also features news and and webinars for teachers to view.

8.
Teachers’ Domain offers free digital media from public TV broadcasters for educational use. Users can search for materials via individual state standards, Common Core State Standards, or national standards from different organizations. Website users can create online profiles in order to share the resources they have learned for a particular lesson with others.

9.
For over a decade, TeAchnology has been providing free and easy-to-use resources for teachers, including “Teacher Timesavers” to help educators better organize. The site also features 42,000-plus lesson plans, 9,000 free printable worksheets, rubrics, teaching tips, web quests, and other free teacher resources.

10.
Thinkfinity is a free digital learning platform from the Verizon Foundation that offers comprehensive teaching and learning resources created by content partners such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the International Reading Association, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the National Geographic Society, and more. Its content includes interactive student games, lesson plans focused on various themes, education blogs and online discussions, and much more.

Super Smart book by Stephen S. Young

These challenging thinking activities can be used as material for your gifted student, for RTI activities, brain games, and fillers for that extra classroom time.

We have found this book very beneficial to classroom teachers, RTI teachers, and gifted instructors. The unique variety of material make this a book that should be on every teacher's bookshelf.

This book can be purchased on Amazon for $12.78.
Click on the link below to take you directly to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Smart-Challenging-Thinking-Activities/dp/1593631553

Tiered Assignments

Tiered Assignments using differentiated instruction

From the website http://www.gstboces.org/iss/hancock/home/Differentiated%20Instruction/Tiered%20Assignments.htm

Tiering allows teachers to "... create multiple paths for learning one key understanding or concept" (Tiered Instruction, 2004). Tiered tasks and instruction can be differentiated according to student interest, readiness, and/or learning profile. Each tier of the task will have more or less scaffolding depending on the individual needs of the students.

What can be Tiered?
Processes, Content, and Products
Assignments
Homework
Learning Stations
Assessments
Writing Prompts
Anchor (Extension) Activities
Materials and Software

When teachers use this strategy, it is helpful to determine the desired key concept and learning outcomes that all students should be able to achieve at the end of the learning. Pre-assessment is integral to help determine needs and grouping. Once assessments are complete, teachers will plan what they will tier:

When Tiering, adjust:
Level of Complexity
Amount of Structure
Number of Steps
Pacing
Materials
Concrete to Abstract
Options based on student interests
Options based on learning styles

How to know when you tier: Examine your curriculum and ask yourself the following questions...
(from Diane Heacox, Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom workshop at the National Conference on Differentiating Instruction in Las Vegas, NV)

1. Do some students need have more time, instruction, and practice with a skill or with content and others have indicated competency? (tier by challenge or tier by complexity)
2. Do your students need differing sources of information?
3. Do some students need more entry based resources and others more advanced, sophisticated or indepth resources based on their prior knowledge? (tier by resources)
4. Could common materials be used with different learning outcomes to work on both basic and more advanced outcomes?
5. Would students benefit from working on the same outcome but doing different kinds of work? (tier by process)
6. Would students benefit form demonstrating what they know or understand by being matched with their preferences? (tier by product)

Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction for Advanced Learning in the Regular Classroom

By differentiating instruction within the regular classroom, teachers provide all students with various ways to develop their talents. Students who need more advanced opportunities are able to find these options within a differentiated classroom. They are likely to feel more challenged, to encounter both success and growth, to be called upon to develop higher level study and production skills, and to be able to develop their particular interests and talents.

Effective differentiation directly supports the learning needs of advanced students through activities that simulate real world problems, address multiple perspectives, and result in the development and sharing of a variety of authentic products. Differentiation creates engaging and challenging instruction that is:

• inquiry based


• open ended


• multi-faceted


• concept centered


• interdisciplinary


• interest based


• student selected

This information came from this website: www.ascps.org/aacps/boe/instr/CURR/tag/gt/gt2.html

Excellent resources from Carol Tomlinson:

Tomlinson, C. (1998) How can gifted students' needs be met in mixed-ability classrooms? Washington DC: National Association of Gifted Children.

Tomlinson, C. (2001) How to differentiate instruction in mixed ability classrooms. VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Department

Tomlinson, C. (1999). The differentiated classroom: responding to the needs of all learners. VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Winebrenner, S (2001). Teaching gifted kids in the regular classroom. MN. Free Spirit Press.

Important Gifted News!

Advocacy Assignment: All gifted advocates need to email their representative as well as a few additional individuals with the following message:

1. You are very concerned about gifted education in Ohio. If your school has or is planning to cut/eliminate gifted services or if you have lost or may be losing your gifted position, please let your legislator know.

2. Despite statements to the contrary by some of the education management groups, districts have not cut other programs and services to add to gifted services. In fact, that opposite is true. Services to gifted children have declined almost 25% in the past two years, and this year the decline may be even steeper.

3. Please help us protect the few amount of gifted services that still exist in the state.

4. Add your personal stories and words.