Abstract
A Close Look at Quality Curriculum for Gifted Students in Today’s Classrooms
The book, Modern Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Academic Students (ISBN: 978-1-61281-473-7), addresses the question, “How should we design learning experiences for our most advanced academic students in the foundational curriculum areas?” Section 1 is dedicated to an expansive discussion about gifted education curriculum from the past to the present, featuring chapters that focus on the framework of talent development, advanced academics, and a description of what gifted education should look like in today’s world of content standard driven education. The second section highlights the important components of gifted curriculum, diving into critical thinking, differentiation, creativity, authentic learning, and assessment methods for gifted students. Descriptive charts and examples of assessments are included. The last section focuses on curriculum development within the core subjects. Specific examples of differentiating content standards as well as talent development techniques in language arts, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies are thoroughly addressed. This thought-provoking book will challenge educators of all grades to change the way they think about educating gifted students. For more information, contact Prufrock Press, P.O. Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813, 800-998-2208, http://www.prufrock.com.
Educational Needs of Students in Rural Communities
In Serving Gifted Students in Rural Settings (ISBN: 978-1-61821-429-4), Tamara Stambaugh and Susannah M. Wood provide an expansive look into the relationship between rural communities and gifted students throughout the United States. In Part I, the authors examine the national context of rural America. They address the question, “What is rural?” by discussing the national statistics as well as the role of tradition, religion, family, poverty, and barriers of education. Part I continues to discuss the barriers to quality education in rural America. Part II of the book is specifically directed toward educators, offering a compilation of research-based strategies for identifying, instructing, and engaging gifted students in rural communities. Part III of this resource is directed toward educators and the community. The authors discuss the importance of counseling students, of advocacy, and of quality teacher professional development. Stamabaugh and Wood provide a realistic view into the challenges of gifted education in rural America and offer guidance for helping rural gifted students and teachers effectively address the challenges they face. For more information, contact Prufrock Press, P.O. Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813, 800-998-2208, http://www.prufrock.com.
Resources and Ideas for Enhancing Positive Mind-Sets in the Classroom
Do you ever get tired of hearing the words “I am not good at . . . ” or the ever dreaded “I can’t” echoing throughout your classroom? A growth mind-set can change students’ perceptions of their abilities, improve the atmosphere of the classroom, and eliminate negative attitudes. In Ready-to-Use Resources for Mindsets in the Classroom: Everything Educators Need for School Success (ISBN: 978-161821-396-9), Mary Cay Ricci provides educators with a wealth of resources to help create a growth mind-set in their classrooms. This book is a companion to Ricci’s first book, Mindsets in the Classroom. It acts as a guide for teachers as they go through the steps of teaching growth mind-sets to students and contains teacher resources such as differentiation and pre-assessment checklists, games to encourage growth mind-sets, classroom posters, and much more. Along with teacher resources, Ricci includes a chapter to help teachers reach out to parents, providing steps for “creating a growth mind-set environment at home” as well as parent website and newsletter templates. Furthermore, Ricci shares information to use with school administrators and staff to create an overall school culture that cultivates the growth mind-set. For more information, contact Prufrock Press, P.O. Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813, 800-998-2208, http://www.prufrock.com.
Summer Programs and Experiences for College Bound Students
Completing college applications can be frightening and the pressure to create an application that stands out from the crowd can be overwhelming. Teenagers all over the United States are attending summer programs and The Best Summer Programs for Teens (ISBN: 978-61821-464-5) can help high school students find the perfect summer program to fit their interests and boost their resumes. From aerospace to art, computers to college prep, math to mountain climbing, Sandra L. Berger has compiled information about more than 200 summer camps, courses, and classes throughout the United States. Berger helps students and parents navigate the college preparation waters by offering tips on internships, leadership programs, test preparations, and even gap-year programs. Furthermore, there is advice on how to decide which program best fits the needs of the individual student and most effectively compliments the application. The book also includes a summer program directory. Listed by state, each program page contains a description of the summer experience and contact information, making it easy for students to peruse through the many options and find the best possible match. For more information, contact Prufrock Press, P.O. Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813, 800-998-2208, http://www.prufrock.com.
Books That Stretch Thinking and Capture the Imagination
Top Secret Files: The Cold War (ISBN: 978-1-61821-419-5) and Top Secret Files: Pirates and Buried Treasure (ISBN: 978-1-61821-421-6) are the two new additions to Stephanie Bearce’s Top Secret Files book collection. Bearce takes history to a level far beyond the basic textbook by sharing unique facts, stories, and interactive learning experiences that transport the reader back in time. In Top Secret Files: The Cold War, the reader is tasked with thinking like a spy. While reading this book, students will learn about secret missions such as Project Iceworm, famous spies such as the Cambridge Spies or Clever Girl, and even secret weapons such as The Thing used during the Cold War. In Top Secret Files: Pirates and Buried Treasure, the reader jumps into the world of dangerous pirate attacks with Blackbeard and Cheng I Sao, discovers the truth about hidden treasure, and learns to talk like a pirate. These books are wonderful resources for encouraging reading and engaging the curious minds of students, especially those who are interested in adventure. So, pick up a Top Secret Files book and take a look if you dare, but be careful! Some secrets are meant to stay hidden. For more information, contact Prufrock Press, P.O. Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813, 800-998-2208, http://www.prufrock.com.
A Game That Encourages Critical, Strategic Thinking
Matter: The Game of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire is a board game that challenges young minds to think creatively and strategically. The essential game pieces include the Elementals (small jewel pieces) that represent the elements of earth, air, water, and fire; Numbered Matter Tiles; and Element Tiles. Each player is given a specific color of Elementals to use as their playing pieces. The board is then covered with the Number Matter Tiles and the Element Tiles. The object of the game is for the players to use the Element Tiles and Elementals to gain control of the Numbered Matter Tiles. Players must use strategic thinking when playing this game because each element has a “count-element” that will reduce power and, in turn, reduce the points the player earns. Players need to think quickly and methodically about where they place their tiles. They must pick battles they can win! Variations to the game can be easily made, increasing or decreasing the difficulty. Whether players are playing with their friends at home or with their classmates for an engaging activity, their critical thinking will be challenged. For more information, contact Simply Fun, 11245 SE 6th Street Suite 110 Bellevue, WA 98004, (877) 557-7767x311, http://www.simplyfun.com.