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Gifted and Talented Education
Pajaro Valley Unified School District

 
 

Highly Recommended Reference Books

 
 


The Differentiated Classroom; Responding to the Needs of All Learners

Author: Carol Ann Tomlinson
(Publisher: ASCD)

This book is the first "primer" on differentiated instruction. It discusses what the
classroom looks like, elements of differentiation, instructional strategies illustrating
differentiation, and management ideas.  This book is highly recommended for overall
understanding.

How To Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, 2nd Edition
Author: Carol Ann Tomlinson
( Publisher: ASCD)

The next step in learning to differentiate for mixed-ability classrooms. This book offers extended examples and information on practical strategies for differentiation. A highly recommended place to begin putting theory into practice.

Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
Author: Susan Winebrenner (Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing)

Of all of the reference books available we have found this book to be one of the best compilations of practical ideas for many age levels.  Susan takes into account management ideas as well as describes clearly the strategies that can be put to use with a small amount of time available.  Curriculum compacting, used when a student has mastered the lesson's content or skills, uses "Most Difficult First", (I'm done, now what do I do?") as one of the strategies to create time for independent study or more in depth extension activities.  A video study guide is also available if small groups of people wanted to set up a time to go more in depth on certain strategies.

Teaching Young Gifted Children in the Regular Classroom
Authors: Smutny, Walker, Mechstroth ( Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing)

This book is a comprehensive reference.  It has information on identifying the young gifted learner, creating learning environments, compacting the curriculum, as well as promoting creativity, discovery, and critical thinking.  With lots of examples and strategies to use, this is a fantastic reference.

Active Questioning
Author: Nancy Johnson ( Publisher: Pieces of Learning)

The reasons for using questioning to learn creative and critical thinking are thoroughly discussed.  The different kinds of questioning are illustrated and then many activities that can be used immediately are given.  This is a great resource for guiding elementary teachers and students to become inquisitive learners.

Thinking what no one else has thought
Author: Albert Szent-Gyorgi

 
 

Booklist for Parents

 
 


Freeing Our Families from Perfectionism
-Thomas Greenspan

Get Off My Brain: A Survival Guide for Lazy* Students- Randall McCutcheon

Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide: For ages 10 & under- Judy Galbraith, M.A.

Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide : A Teen Handbook- J. Galbraith & J. Delisle

Guiding the Gifted Child : A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers-
J. Webb, E. Meckstroth, & S. Tolan

Helping Gifted Children Soar: A Practical Guide for Parents and Teachers -
C. Strip and G. Hirsch (Ayudando A Ninos Dotados a Volar)

Parenting Successful Children - James Webb

Perfectionism : What’s Bad About Being Too Good?-
M. Adderholdt and J. Goldberg

Problem Child or Quirky Kid?: A Commonsense Guide-
R. Sommers-Flanagan and J. Sommers-Flanagan

See Jane Win for Girls : A Smart Girl’s Guide to Success- Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Smart Boys : Talent, Manhood, & the Search for Meaning- B. Kerr & S. Cohn

Smart Girls : A New Psychology of Girls, Women and Giftedness- B. Kerr

Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children : What Do We Know? -
M. Neihart, S. Reis, N. Robinson & S. Moon

Stand Up for Your Child : How to make the most of gifted students’ strengths at school and at home- Joan Smutney

Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids : How to understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child-Sally Walker

Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom - Susan Winebrenner

Teaching Young Children in the Regular Classroom: Identifying, Nurturing and Challenging Ages 4-9-J. Smutney, S. Walker, E. Meckstroth

Raisin’ Brains : Surviving My Smart Family-Karen Isaacson

When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers : How to Meet Their Social and Emotional Needs-J. Delisle & Judy Galbraith

You Know Your Child Is Gifted When…: A Beginner’s Guide to Life on the Bright Side-J. Galbraith

 
 

Booklist for Motivating Underachievers

 
 


BRIGHT MINDS, POOR GRADES : Understanding and Motivating Your Underachieving Child
-Michael D. Whitley (ISBN 0-399-52705-2)

EMPOWERING UNDERACHIEVERS: How to Guide Failing Kids (8-18) to Personal Excellence-Peter A. Spevak and Maryann Karinch (ISBN 0-88282-195-4)

ENCOURAGING ACHIEVEMENT -Carolyn Coil (ISBN 1-880505-49-5)

MOTIVATING UNDERACHIEVERS -Carolyn Coil (ISBN 1-880505-95-9)

THE MYTH OF LAZINESS -Mel Levine M.D.(ISBN 0-7432-1368-8)

THE OPTIMISTIC CHILD : A Proven Program to safeguard Children against Depression and Build Lifelong Resilience-Marin Seligman (ISBN 0-06-097709-4 )

THEY CAN BUT THEY DON’T : Helping Students Overcome Work Inhibition-Jerome H. Bruns (ISBN 0-14-015229-6 )

UNMOTIVATED CHILD : Helping Your Underachiever Become a Successful Student-Natalie Rathvon (ISBN 0-684-80306-2 )

 
 
** Most of these books can be found at Kaleidoscope on Park Avenue in Capitola