Id like to dedicate my next few posts to the topic of problem-based learning.It is certainly a method that motivates students~ helps them develop valuable how-to learn skills~ and makes learning relevant. Before I get into the particulars~ Id like...
I have to share this fantastic strategy with you.It involves pre-testing your entire class~ allowing students to earn time to work on enrichment/extension activities.Its an effective way to motivate students and provide them the opportunity to...
In a previous blog~ I addressed the question over whether advanced learners should take part in acceleration or enrichment. In summary~ while I am a strong believer in enrichment activities that develop a students strengths and talents~ I believe...
Recently~ I gave a talk to some students at the University of South Florida regarding methods for working with gifted children.They posed an interesting question~ one that really got me thinking.Should you provide enrichment or acceleration when...
Note: This blog is the second in a two-part series.In a previous blog~ I outlined how I get elementary students to research by developing questions~ choosing resources and finding information. Now~ I am going to share a fabulous web site that will...
Note: This blog is the first in a two part series.One of the hardest things to teach~ in my opinion~ is how to get students to research.As a teacher of gifted~ who uses the independent study method with my first-through-fifth-grade students~ I face...
I know of an 11-year-old~ who wants nothing more than to get on his computer and play Minecraft. He enters this virtual world~ where he can build shelters~ scavenge for resources~ and fight zombies. It is a survival game that allows players to...
Without a vision~ the people perish.--proverbI recall several years ago~ I asked renowned fifth-grade teacher~ Rafe Esquith~ for the secrets of success. He listed three actions that he took that made a big impact on his classroom.One of those steps...
At school~ there seems to be a committee for everything.Improvement~ remediation~ reading~ leadership~ and the list goes on.What you dont often find at schools~ however~ is a team of people that are focused on enrichment for children.I think its...
Ive heard it said that if you really want to learn something~ teach it to others.This concept has really hit home for me~ now that I have begun mentoring aspiring teachers.Having recently taken on an intern from a local university~ I have been...