Stories from working with gifted students: activities that work well!

Abstract

Parents and teachers are always interested in activities that work well in gifted classrooms. As the gifted co-ordinator of a multi-age middle years classroom, the author shares some insights into the current learning activities that she engages the students with. In her classroom, the author subscribes to problem-based learning for students in the middle years of school. Through this approach, students are placed in authentic problem situations in which there is insufficient information to comprehend and solve the problem. Students must create their own knowledge to solve problems. Such an approach incorporates many principles of a differentiated curriculum. Activities in this gifted classroom are therefore varied, to allow and accommodate all different types of learning. The author's usual school day is described in the article in detail. She also provides some background to the program.