Conversations with Josh, a mentee of the author, and other gifted students caused the author to realize that in many cases, what is presented as appropriately differentiated language arts curriculum for gifted/talented students is nothing more than general education curriculum with additional work at the same level as the regular curriculum. If…

Technology is an essential part of young people's lives. Students today are digital natives who cannot remember a time without electronic media and technologies. Children who use the Internet spend 37 percent less time watching television and 16 percent more time with friends and family. The Internet is an excellent resource for differentiating…

Students have used Cogito.org to pose and/or solve math problems and brain teasers, share their experiences in academic competitions, debate the pros and cons of using biofuels for energy, design an alien world based on sound scientific principles, and expand their cultural understanding by connecting with students from around the world.…

Following on the heels of charter schools, virtual high schools have gradually become more common. Typically, they are technology-driven magnet schools with competitive admission. Many are free and actively recruit traditionally underserved students. Parents of highly gifted children often cobble together academic solutions--a college class here,…

The Region IV Education Service Center (ESC) in Texas has been delivering G/T professional development for almost two decades, and it has a great plan. Texas is one of 27 states that mandate full or partial gifted education. Accountability is provided through standards for professional development, which are outlined in the Texas State Plan for…

This article describes Success Express, a program planned and implemented as part of a collaborative 1990 Javits project for gifted students between Lamar University and Texas A & M. The program has been continued by Lamar and Beaumont Independent School District as a two week summer program to identify high-potential, low-income 4-5 year olds…

Researching the men and women who are the namesakes of local schools can be one of the best bridges students can use to cross the gulf of historical time. Granted, some schools are named after trees, flowers, or geological formations, but many of America's public schools are named after people who once walked the ground today's gifted students now…

In most schools, the term "arts" represents visual arts (art appreciation, painting, clay, etc.), performing arts (including music, dance, and theater), creative writing, and media arts (i.e., photography, digital video, and traditional filmmaking). "Theater" and "drama" are often used interchangeably, but "theater" comprises all of the technical…

This article features the Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, and describes how the University of Iowa College of Education offers teacher education through the Belin-Blank dynamic model of professional development. As a part of the University of Iowa College of Education, the…

In this article, the author discusses how Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) seeks and nurtures students with high academic talents in Baltimore. The mission of CTY, since its founding in 1979, has been to identify students with high academic abilities and to provide challenging and innovative programs that are appropriate…

The media calls them the wizards of tomorrow, the fix-it-kids, athletes of the mind, star players, and champs. These are the young people who compete and win academic, artistic, leadership, and service related competitions. Competitors spell words as difficult as autochthonous, make new scientific discoveries, compose poetry, publish their short…