A Teacher’s Guide to Supporting Gifted Middle School Students provides insight to help you gain a better understanding of your gifted students during a pivotal time in their development.
Employing pop culture, personal stories, and prompts for reflection, this text considers major factors impacting gifted middle school students including self-image, the need for differentiated content, the importance of slowing down, the value of mentors, and ways to instill hope during this ‒ more often than not ‒ difficult time. Full of practical examples for how you can work to address both the academic and social-emotional needs of your students, this book champions middle school as an important time for selfdiscovery and developing passions.
Engaging and informative, this inspiring new book is a “must read” for all teachers seeking to positively influence their students during this unique and critical time in their lives.
Author(s): DJ Graham
Publisher: Routledge/Prufrock Press
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 171
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Meet the Author
Foreword
Introduction
You Teach Middle School? I’m Sorry!
The Goals of This Book
The Structure
Reflection
References
1 Lisa Simpson, Calvin, and Spider-Man Walk Into a Classroom…
Blue and Black Or White and Gold?
Common Traits of Gifted Learners
Trait 1: Above-Age Intellect, Reasoning, and Curiosity
Trait 2: Asynchronous Development
Trait 3: Strong Sense of Justice
Trait 4: Creativity
Trait 5: Intensity
Why Is this Useful?
Do We Even Test Here?
Summary
Reflection
References
2 Looking in the Mirror and Liking Who You See
Who Am I?
Culture Development
Acceptance
Respect
Support
Understanding
Developing Classroom Culture
When I Call Your Name
When I Call Your Name, Please Tell Me Something You Like About Your Neighbor
When I Call Your Name, Please Tell Me a Dream You Have
When I Call Your Name, Please Tell Me Something You Like About Yourself
Summary
Reflection
Self-Reflection
Classroom Practice Reflection
References
3 A Mantra Not Worth Living By
Perfectionism
Maybe I’m the Problem
A for Effort
The Struggle Is the Point
This Burger Looks Nothing Like the Picture
Summary
Reflection
References
4 Putting It Into Practice
What the Research Says
There’s a Lesson There Somewhere
Examples
Content Example – The Outsiders: A World Unknown
Skills Example – Your Story Thus Far
Celebrating Student Interests
Classroom Traditions
Let Your Inner Geek Out
Summary
Reflection
References
5 It’s Elements of Differentiation, My Dear Watson
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Vin Diesel Would Be Proud: Fast and Furious Acceleration for Gifted Students
Elements of Differentiation
Content
Process
Product
Learning Environment
Differentiation in the Middle School Classroom
Learning Environment
Content and Process
Product
You Did It! Now Do It 20 More Times
Summary
Reflection
References
6 Let There Be Dinosaurs!
Readiness
Assessments
Preassessments in Practice
Extension Activities
Extensions at the Middle School Level
Learning Profile
Interest
For the Calvins of the World
It Starts With a Question
Let There Be Dinosaurs
Summary
Reflection
References
7 Lesson Planbook Commentary
All Quiet On the Western Brunch
Museum Day
Summary
Reflection
References
8 What’s in a Grade?
Beyond the Classroom
Does Anybody Like Grading Homework?
Responsibility Versus Ability
Double Down
What’s the Point?
Letting Your Students Return the Gobstopper
It’s Alright to Have Fun
Summary
Reflection
References
9 The Need for Mentors
The Need for Academic Mentors
Challenges in Implementing Mentorships at the Middle School Level
Expert Guests
Mentor Programs
Summary
Reflection
References
10 Every Sidekick Needs a Hero
No Educator Is an Island
I Thought You Were Gifted
We’re Not So Different, You and I
Weight of the World
What If I Lose By a Lot?
Summary
Reflection
References
Conclusion
Appendix: “Fun” Attendance Questions
Open-Ended
Open-Ended Questions
Weird Open-Ended Questions
Would You Rather…
Content-Based Questions
Class Stories
