The following is a resource to help highly able readers in grades 2-8. Based on research in Gifted and Talented pedagogy, (Confratute, 2011, Associate Professor, Dr. Susannah Richards), in her course, Challenging the Talented Reader, this website can help highly able readers in your classroom.


It is important to remember that these strategies are applicable to all highly able students, not only those identified as Gifted and Talented. Consider this as another set of tools under the Response to Intervention model.

These students are deeply engaged by reading, less concerned with the ‘how’ than the ‘why’ of reading. They often chafe at prescribed reading instruction, favoring interest, enjoyment, and learning over ‘covering the curriculum.’ They want to gain new knowledge and use complex responses to literature such as discussing, re-telling, and re-writing what they have read. Inference, anticipation, and prior experience are major components of their reading. For them, reading is truly an experience. They can contribute in dramatic and meaningful ways to class discussion if they are challenged. Here is an extensive list to help you support them.

Resources To Support Talented Readers (2011)


 

For highly able readers, ‘matching text to readers’ is not necessary. It is necessary, however, that they are reading at least 2 grade levels above in order to sustain interest. Teachers of these students may sometimes experience a loss of control from an instructional perspective. You won’t simply be cutting them loose; instead, you are encouraging them to explore their literacy potential. Here’s a list of books many highly able readers and writers find fascinating.

It's in a Book: Books for Talented Readers and Writers

Research by Dr. Paul Witty indicates that highly able readers go into reading with new ideas, and sustain interest, in part, by creatively collaborating with the text. More traditional instructional approaches tend to focus on critical applications, i.e. facts, plot, etc. Highly able readers need to engage with the larger meaning of text, and use a variety of creative outlets to bring to life their reading experience, particularly dialogue. Here is the D. Heacox template to spark dialogue.

Questions To Spark Dialogue

Think globally about highly able readers. It’s better to start with a big idea, rather than the text. Consider concepts that invite students to bring their own experience to the book. A good rule of thumb is “Teach the reader, not the reading.” Connections and elaboration are essential processes for highly able readers. Encouraging these students to share their insights can help you differentiate instruction for the class, too. Here’s a list of major themes.

A List of Major Themes


 

Here is a list of available technology applications that can help you expand and enrich reading. By providing a variety of multi-media venues, students are more easily engaged. Your highly able readers and writers can use these applications to deepen their own understanding and share the process and product of their learning with others. Always keep in mind that the Maine Gateways website has a portfolio to showcase student work. We will be happy to upload it for you.

Voki Students can create talking, animated avatars.

Blabberize Create talking photos with this entertaining and fun program.

Wordles An imaginative program that encourages students to explore words in non-linear ways.

Storybird Storybird is an art-inspired program to help student writers.

Livebinders Teacher resource for storing electronic lesson plans, photos, etc.

Gifted Protagonists Speak OutYarmouth GT teachers Molly Smith and Charlotte Agell put together a great list of books for gifted readers and the protagonists in the books are also gifted.

Great Books for Gifted KidsThis is a list of books with gifted characters.

Suggested reading from the GT book shelf. All books are available to borrow. Simply contact a GT staff member.

Banner image - Children by Jer Kunz, Creative Commons @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkunz/3400590998/sizes/z/in/photostream/

I Love To Read by Carlos Porto, Creative Commons @http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlosporto/775089650/sizes/m/in/photostream/

The Library Chaweng beach Koh Samui Thailand
Readers by Hen3k Hen3k, Creative Commons @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/n3k/5478204329/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Pencil Vs Camera - 37 by Ben Heine, Flickr, 2010, chess Creative Commons @
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43335486@N00/5180199504

Finance strategy by RambergMediaImages Keith Ramsey, Creative Commons @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmgimages/4881844377/

Technology image by Linda Koch