Tip 1 – More Meaningful Work, Not Just More Work
Gifted students, high achievers, and early finishers don’t need additional practice on the skills they’ve already mastered. Instead, they need the opportunity for more meaningful and challenging work. Students will be more likely to remain focused and put in their best effort when they know they’ll be able to do something meaningful and engaging next, rather than dreading having to just do more of the same work.
Tip 2 – Student Choice
Providing an opportunity for student choice will engage all learners in the classroom, but especially your gifted learners. An easy way to provide an opportunity for student choice is through a choice board. Students can keep a copy of their choice board nearby at all times, that way they have something to work on when they’re done with their regular classwork. Choice boards can be subject specific, like my Novel Study Choice Board, or can be tailored to more creative and critical thinking activities.
Tip 3 – Enrichment Projects
Enrichment projects are a great way to challenge these students, while also keeping them engaged and interested.
My favorite enrichment project is the Passion Project! Gifted learners especially are known for being really interested on specific topics, and this gives them the opportunity to explore whatever interests them most.
If you have a small group of gifted learners in your classroom, you can put them in a group to create a Podcast using my Podcasting in the Classroom Resource!
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I love tip 1 about more meaningful work. So true!
Thank you! It’s such an important one!