Suggestions for motivating gifted underachieving secondary students include independent study projects for credit, science fair projects, curriculum compacting, the use of adult mentors, and other approaches which emphasize building on student interests. (DB)

The Independent Investigation Method is presented, a model developed to enable gifted students to grow in their independence as they move through a research assignment. The seven-step process guides elementary students from beginning to end in the research process, including topic, goal setting, research, organizing, goal evaluation, product, and…

A teacher in a multi-age elementary classroom including 16 gifted students describes an independent study project in which students used a variety of technological aids (such as hypermedia) to develop a presentation on their chosen topic and publish it on the Internet. Examples of forms used to guide students and evaluation criteria are offered.…

The guide to genealogical research for gifted students contains suggestions for using forms to organize data, computers and copy machines, numbering systems, consistent dating, and documentation. Data can be obtained from family members, census enumerations, county court records, property records, military records, immigration records, churches,…

This paper outlines the elementary school gifted pupil's need for instruction in research strategies as an integral part of an ongoing unit. A program is described in which pupils select areas of investigation and participate in gathering, organizing, interpreting, and sharing relevant data. (JDD)

This article briefly describes research and authentic assessment and outlines methods for developing rubrics which offer a more authentic approach to assessment. It offers a rubric for assessing secondary students' original research, along with benchmarks showing examples for each criterion. It also suggests ways to translate rubric assessments…

The Academic Lab involves gifted intermediate-grade students in a minicourse concentrating on one topic with activities including research, competition, and fun. The learning activities stress problem-solving, creative thinking, communications, and self-direction, and the minicourse culminates in team and individual competitions. A sample…

This article discusses how teachers can use project-based learning to teach social studies to gifted students. Because children select the topic, it is argued the inquiry is more meaningful to children. The roles of teachers and students in project-based classrooms are described, along with an elementary school's Japanese Exhibit project.…

Progressive competencies were identified for gifted students in grades kindergarten through 12 as a result of a survey of over 600 administrators, classroom teachers, and teachers of the gifted. Competencies were identified for four levels of development in the following six specific skill areas: creativity, affective development, academic…

This article discusses the benefits of using the Internet to enrich the social studies curriculum and the need to teach students to evaluate every Web site they visit according to three criteria: reliability, authorship, and purpose. Questions are listed to aid students in this evaluation process, along with Web sites. (CR)

Offers suggestions on ways to use computers to individualize instruction for gifted students including drill and practice, simulation programs, independent research, creative projects, organization of data, and development of presentations. (DB)

This article suggests ways that the Purdue Three-Stage Model, which nurtures cognitive skills of highly able students, can be applied at the secondary level. The article examines the structure of secondary schools; characteristics of gifted adolescents; program design; and three specific applications in Honors English, middle school seminars, and…

How-to books can help gifted students learn the methodologies used by practicing professionals in a variety of fields. This article contains information about choosing, locating, and using how-to books, including an annotated bibliography of exemplary books in science, social science, research methodology, communication modes, and inventing and…

The paper describes a curriculum model developed for gifted and talented students in an integrated middle school program, as a cooperative effort between the College of Education at the University of Houston and a Houston middle school. The program includes identification procedures, curriculum practices, and evaluation techniques. The curriculum…