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CURRICULUM DIFFERENTIATION FOR THE GIFTED

  • Mathematics [http://www.connections-nc.com/mathematics.htm]

  • Interdisciplinary Unit Interdisciplinary unit based around the Lost Colony that models the use of learning contracts, independent study, simulations, Web Quests, and seminars, infusing principles of differentiation for grades four through twelve. [http://www.thelostcolony.org]

  • Curriculum Topics on Curriculum Differentiation include compacting, inclusion, grouping debates, middle school gifted, and reading strategies. [http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/curriculum.htm]

  • Learning Styles vs. Teaching Styles This site links to an on-line learning style inventory through NCSU, but also includes research concerning teaching and learning styles and their relationship.
    [http://www.sosu.edu/cidt/briefs/tb1.htm]

  • Parallel Curriculum Modeling (PCM) Parallel curriculum modeling is explained, with a PowerPoint slide show and follow-up questions that correlate with the text. [http://www.nagc.org/pcmlearning/pcmindex.htm]

  • Activities and Lesson Plans and Curriculum Differentiation Checklist The Department of Education and Training in Western Australia provides an incredible web site that addresses issues from identification to inclusivity to parent and student resources.  It has a wealth of lesson plans using various models and strategies in gifted education at multiple grade levels and across multiple disciplines. [http://www.eddept.wa.edu.au/gifttal/index.htm]

  • Product Differentiation and Evaluation  This site explores project-based learning with multimedia products, critical evaluations and rubrics.  It provides ideas and possibilities for long-term individual and small group investigations, as well as ways to evaluate products.
    [http://pblmm.k12.ca.us/PBLGuide/Activities/Activities.html]

  • Consultation in Gifted Education This site, through Creative Learning Press, gives good definitions and explanations of the collaboration process.
    [http://www.creativelearningpress.com/excerpts/rcc_ch1.html]

  • Articles for Educators Articles written by Bertie Kingore with very practical suggestions for meeting the needs of and identifying gifted learners.
    [http://www.bertiekingore.com/articlesed.htm]

  • Dr. Kingore's Learning Experiences Practical strategies for differentiating, including biography study incorporating George Betts' Autonomous Learner model, developed by Dr. Bertie Kingore. Also includes terrific chart about advantages and disadvantages of flexible grouping in mixed-ability classroom.
    [http://www.bertiekingore.com/learning.htm]

  • Principles of Differentiation Great overview of the concept of differentiation for all learners. Good introduction to terminology. Not specific only to gifted learners, but addresses their needs as well.
    [http://www.manteno.k12.il.us/curriculumdiff/principles.htm]

SAMPLE LESSON PLANS AND UNITS

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS

  • Molecular Expressions Superb interdisciplinary unit around abstract theme of Perception gives lessons on perspectives around the Powers of 10, Robert Hook, Jack and the Beanstalk and The Borrowers for a secondary science class!
    [http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/activities/teachers/perspectives.html]

RUBRICS FOR ASSESSMENT

  • Rubric Builder [http://www.landmark-project.com/classweb/tools/rubric_builder.php3]

  • S.C.O.R.E. Language Arts A valuable bank of rubrics is offered on this site for collaboration, web page design, Hyperstudio projects, biographical projects and more. [http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/trubrics.htm]

MATH

  • Mathematicians are People Too! This site is invaluable! Students can take a survey to see which historical mathematician they are most similar to, design a survey or a graph of any type with their own data, and lots of other challenging activities. [http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/MathQuiz/index.asp]
  • Project M3 Math units combine the latest research in gifted education and mathematics education. [http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/projectm3/teachers.htm]
  • NCTM: Illuminations Lessons The National Council of the Teachers of Mathematics has a terrific site with a wealth of lesson plans for all ability levels, ages and topics in mathematics. Course participants are asked to carefully review the lesson plans to determine what elements might be appropriate for gifted learners, and what might need to be modified to meet their needs. [http://illuminations.nctm.org/index.aspx]

SCIENCE

  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute The Howard Hughes Medical Institute offers lessons in biology, and a "Cool Science for Curious Kids" site for kindergarten through grade four, with science lessons and experiments from museums around the globe. [http://www.hhmi.org/index.html]

  • Molecular Expressions Tutorials and terrific resources are provided on this site for the study of science, optics and the power of ten. Photos of the Milky Way are terrific! Also gives great ideas for incorporating the abstract theme of perception in a multidisciplinary way, and for developing centers in secondary science classes.
    [http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/]

  • Bag the Beans This site, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), offers lesson plans at all grade levels in science and frequently integrated with other subject areas.  Course participants are asked to carefully review the lesson plans to determine what elements might be appropriate for gifted learners, and what might need to be modified to meet their needs. [http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=249]

  • North Carolina Science Curriculum Web Site for Grades 3 - 5 While not specifically differentiated, this web site, created by a sophomore at UNC-CH, links web sites related to the Standard Course of Study in Science for Grades 3 - 5 in a very easy to use manner.  Teachers can determine what sites and activities might meet the needs of gifted learners. [http://www.nckidscience.com/]

LANGUAGE ARTS

  • Teaching Gifted Reading This site has multiple links to resources for teaching Language Arts/English to the gifted learner. [http://www.child-reading-tips.com/teaching-gifted-reading.htm]

  • Literature Studies to Foster Critical Thinking Literature units to foster critical thinking in elementary gifted learners, including rubrics for evaluation, alignment with Bloom's taxonomy, and internet connections. [http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/litpack/litstudy.htm]

  • LPS.ORG Gifted Curriculum Thematic Literature-based webs for Kindergarten-Grade Six, with sample lessons. [http://gifted.lps.org/curr]

LEARNING CENTERS

  • Science, Optics and You High School Science learning centers on optics. Good model for setting up high school centers on other topics as well. Allows for discovery. [http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/activities/teachers/properties.html]

COLLABORATIVE TEACHING

  • Talent Development Program Update Exciting descriptions of schools using consultation and the collaboration model to meet the needs of gifted students [http://www.aacps.org/aacps/boe/instr/CURR/tag/gt/next/Dec2003.pdf]