Teaching the gifted and talented student requires a thorough understanding of available resources and best practices in the field of gifted and talented education. According to the National Association of Gifted Children, choice in curriculum development is especially important for the gifted learner. Without high-quality, rich instructional opportunities, the gifted student will suffer academically. Professional texts exist to help the gifted resource teacher reach the individual needs of each learner in their classrooms.
1. Methods and Materials for Teaching the Gifted: Edition 4
This text offers practical research and suggestions on building a challenging curriculum, suitable for the gifted learner. It also provides information on best practices for teachers, differentiating curriculum, extending learning, and developing and maintaining high-quality gifted and talented programs. Written by experts in the field of education, Frances A. Karnes and Dr. Suzanne M. Bean, this book offers instructional practices for the 21st century learner, including problem-based learning, independent study, and simulation learning.
2. Creating Innovators
In his book, Creating Innovators Tony Wagner explores why the ability to innovate is today’s greatest skill in school and on the job. He urges parents, teachers, and employers to build a child’s capacity for innovating. The text explores several of history’s most influential innovators, like Kirk Phelps, Apple’s first iPhone project manager. Gifted and talented teachers will find this resource to be invaluable for creating innovative thinkers for a global job market.
3. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
From renowned psychologist and author Carol Dweck comes this game changing text that explains why praising intelligence and achievement is actually harmful to many learners. She explores the phenomenon of a growth mindset and encourages educators to find ways to praise effort and make students more intrinsically motivated. Gifted and talented resource teachers will find practical theory and suggestions on creating self-starting, highly motivated learners who adopt life-long learning skills that will help them to be successful throughout their lives.
4. Social Emotional Curriculum With Gifted and Talented Students (Critical Issues in Gifted Education)
The gifted resource teacher knows that students need social-emotional development in the classroom as much as they need academics. This guide helps teachers develop high quality social-emotional curriculum with gifted students in mind through the use of strategies, collaboration with school counselors, and models of effective social-emotional curriculum. Written by leading scholars in the field, this book will serve as a valuable complement to any gifted and talented program, offering suggestions for working with the social-emotional needs of this special population of students.
5. Teaching Gifted Kids In The Regular Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use To Meet The Academic Needs Of The Gifted And Talented
Written by Susan Winebrenner, this text has long been a standing favorite among teachers for its practical suggestions on working with the gifted and talented in any classroom. The revised version of this book is expanded to include more personal experience of identifying and working with gifted learners. Considered the definitive guide to teaching gifted students for over 20 years this text is a must-have for any resource or regular teacher’s classroom.
A gifted student may have abilities far beyond the typical age-range of their peers, and therefore require a special approach. For the gifted resource teacher check out these resources for a balanced professional practice.
Related Resource: 5 Books on Education Theory
