Kristen R. Stephens

The goal of all classrooms is to maximize the learning of all students; therefore, correctly assessing what students have learned is an integral part of good instruction. By keeping the goal of good, strong assessment in mind, a teacher can clearly see his or her desired outcomes for a lesson, activity, or unit. It is critical to take into account a student's level of knowledge, understanding, beliefs, skills, dispositions, and learning styles when planning for good classroom instruction and assessment. Carolyn Callahan, a leader in the field of gifted education, guides teachers toward answering these questions about their students and planning for quality classroom assessment. In addition, the book provides an overview of the most common and successful assessment methods, including formal and informal assessments, student self-assessments, and preassessment strategies for planning instruction.

With The Ultimate Guide to Internet Resources for Teachers of Gifted Students, educators gain a detailed overview of how they can use the Internet to teach new information, extend students' learning, and offer exciting opportunities for differentiation. The authors discuss the many ways in which Internet resources might be used and provide tips on connecting with experts and peers, conducting responsible research, evaluating websites, and more. The book's extensive annotated listing of online resources will make it easy for teachers of gifted kids to plan lessons, enhance students' understanding of material, and encourage students to pursue their academic and extracurricular interests.

Language arts is a complex subject area that includes multiple domains (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) and can be infused into many other content areas throughout the school day. Students who are gifted in any area of the language arts need consistently challenging and stimulating instruction. Language Arts for Gifted Learners is written by two classroom teachers specifically for classroom teachers. Designed to be an initial resource for teachers seeking to add to their instructional repertoire, it provides specific strategies that teachers can use to meet the needs of their gifted language arts students both in the language arts classroom and beyond.

Gifted readers, like other gifted students, need challenging opportunities that enable them to learn something new each day. Because gifted readers are those who read at least 2 years ahead of their chronological grade placement, teachers must effectively differentiate for these students in the classroom. Reading for Gifted Students details the characteristics of gifted and precocious readers, describes methods for differentiating instruction for gifted readers, and provides guidelines for selecting appropriate reading materials. A list of suggested books is also included.

High-quality teaching and learning in science is vital to our economic future and to our ability to perform effectively as citizens in a democratic society, but all too often science education in schools is not as strong as it might be. Science Strategies for Students With Gifts and Talents examines some common pitfalls in how we teach science in school and then suggests ways teachers can improve their practice in this area. Specific sections cover elementary, middle, and high school science instruction, with a focus on how teachers can be effective in meeting the needs of the academically advanced and high-ability learners in their classroom at each of these levels.

Now more than ever, we must cultivate top-notch mathematicians in order to address the needs, issues, and problems of the 21st century. Identifying and Nurturing Math Talent provides information for teachers, administrators, and parents interested in identifying and supporting mathematical talent in children and adolescents. This book offers practical advice on identifying mathematical talent, developing rigorous mathematics curricula, preparing highly qualified teachers, and locating specialized programs and schools in order to support the learning requirements of mathematically talented students.

Families of Children With Autism: What Educational Profressionals Should Know provides an overview of the role of educational professionals in the lives of families of children with autism. A framework for understanding these families is presented with a discussion of the stressors they face, the barriers to building collaborative relationships, and ways professionals can help these families cope.

Although the concept of leadership is often studied, researched, and discussed, the art of leadership is still misunderstood, debated, and often neglected. It is known, however, that leadership skills can be developed and more intentional endeavors must be made to cultivate bright, young leaders for the future. Developing Leadership Potential in Gifted Students offers insight into developing leadership skills in gifted students and provides definitions and theories of leadership, looks at trends and changing paradigms, and suggests screening and identification tools for leadership as well as instructional programs and materials to incorporate into the regular curriculum. This is one of the books in Prufrock Press' popular Practical Strategies Series in Gifted Education. The series offers 25 timesaving books on critical topics for educating gifted learners. Filled with practical information and advice, these books are ideal for classroom teachers, preservice teachers, and graduate students. In preparing this series, the authors have kept the busy classroom teacher in mind. The result is a timesaving introduction to the most important issues in gifted education.

Part of Prufrock Press' Practical Strategies Series in Gifted Education, "Gifted Adolescents" focuses on talent development in adolescence, critical issues facing adolescents, and implications for educational practice and parenting. The series offers 25 timesaving books on critical topics for educating gifted learners. Filled with practical information and advice, these books are ideal for classroom teachers, preservice teachers, and graduate students. In preparing this series, the authors have kept the busy classroom teacher in mind. The result is a timesaving introduction to the most important issues in gifted education.

From animations to WebQuests, this new edition of The Ultimate Guide for Student Product Development & Evaluation features all new products that promote the development of 21st-century skills in students. This new edition discusses how the skills and content gained from the development of products can be aligned with state and national standards. In addition, a special section of the book is dedicated to how teachers can nurture the habits of the mind necessary for successful product completion. This book offers a step-by-step introduction to using creative projects in your classroom confidently. The authors give ideas for integrating projects into your existing curriculum, ways to help students plan and create their projects, and easy, effective evaluation strategies. The book also provides strategies for making sure that other students, parents, and community members notice your students' hard work.

Focusing on educational and instructional strategies that are successful with students with autism spectrum disorders, Educational Strategies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders profiles the most current, research-based interventions that can be implemented by teachers in a classroom setting. Because autism spectrum disorders are on a continuum, educational placements can range from specialized autism classrooms to full-time inclusion in a general education classroom. It is important for teachers and staff to understand the various educational strategies that are available. It is the goal of this book to provide interventions and strategies to help teachers and staff best serve students on the autism spectrum. Strategies include applied behavior analysis, the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR) model, discrete trial training, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Sensory Integration Therapy, and Social Stories, among others.

Arts Education for Gifted Learners provides information for teachers and parents interested in supporting an artistically talented child. It reveals the characteristics of artistically talented students, describes program options, and shares an approach for supporting the affective needs of these students. This is one of the books in Prufrock Press' popular Practical Strategies Series in Gifted Education. This series offers a unique collection of tightly focused books that provide a concise, practical introduction to important topics concerning the education of gifted children. The guides offer a perfect beginner's introduction to key information about gifted and talented education.

Supporters of gifted education need to develop the skills of advocacy in order to help build strong, lasting, effective programs. "Advocacy for Gifted Children and Gifted Programs" describes a wide variety of successful strategies that can be used to advocate for gifted students at all levels.

Some kids, including gifted students, have difficulties in school. Gifted students with learning disabilities may continuously struggle with certain areas of instruction, but never receive identification of or accommodation for their difficulties, because their gifts mask their disabilities. Gifted students with learning disabilities need unique instruction and a practical use of accommodations to succeed in school. It is important for educators to familiarize themselves with the definitions and characteristics of various learning disabilities, and learn the strategies they can use in the classroom to help gifted/learning-disabled students succeed. In this book, Kevin Besnoy takes an in-depth look at the various learning disabilities and difficulties some gifted students face, provides practical tips for accommodating and planning instruction for those students, and gives an overview of federal law related to this population.

One of the biggest challenges for teachers today is finding the extra money needed to provide students with the very best education. "How to Get Money for Your Classroom & School" provides teachers with the solid know-how to meet that challenge head on This book offers a complete course in raising funds for the classroom or school. Nationally respected authors Frances A. Karnes, Ph. D., and Kristen R. Stephens, Ph. D., offer practical, hands-on ways to find the resources you need. The authors offer a step-by-step guide to grant writing; fun, success-proven fund-raising ideas; and a practical how-to for long-term fund development. Grant writing can often seem overwhelming to educators. The authors take teachers by the hand and show them how to find grant sources, write query letters, and prepare a winning grant application. Fund-raising needn't be a chore. Let the authors share successful ways to build both parent and student involvement in exciting and unique fund-raising projects. Fund development is critical for developing a stable source of funds for a school's goals. "How to Get Money" shows teachers how to develop a pool of money from which teachers can draw year after year. This is a must-read for any educator looking for ways to raise money for his or her classroom or school.

It is not possible to teach someone to be creative. It is not possible to teach someone to be intelligent. It is, however, possible to teach students to use the creativity and intelligence they already have. Students can be taught to think more creatively or intelligently, and can also learn strategies for thinking more rationally or imaginatively. Encouraging creative thinking in the classroom is an exciting component of any effective gifted education program. This guide offers basic foundations required for supporting creativity. From establishing the right classroom environment, to using creative teaching strategies, to assessing student outcomes, this book is filled with practical information. The book also includes a listing of competitive contests and programs and an extensive list of resources. This is one of the books in Prufrock Press' popular Practical Strategies Series in Gifted Education. This series offers a unique collection of tightly focused books that provide a concise, practical introduction to important topics concerning the education of gifted children. The guides offer a perfect beginner's introduction to key information about gifted and talented education.

Mentorship programs can provide motivated gifted and talented students with an opportunity to apply inductive thinking and problem-solving skills to advanced content that is often associated with real-life situations. They need to investigate the complexities and interrelationships among disciplines that can only be discovered with assistance from highly knowledgeable experts. As gifted students develop their interests and talents in a chosen area of study, it is often necessary to structure learning experiences with out-of-school mentors. This guide offers practical strategies for starting and developing a mentoring program. From structuring a program, to selecting a mentor and monitoring progress, to ensuring success, this book provides an excellent introduction to the topic.

Empowered Girls is a hands-on guide for girls looking to take an active leadership role in their school and community. This book offers step-by-step suggestions for active involvement and leadership. Additionally, it includes profiles of and advice from girls who are making a difference in the lives of others. The authors, nationally recognized for their work with girls and leadership, offer solid reasons for active involvement, strategies for choosing which groups to be involved with, and methods for getting involved. It's all here--sage advice to girls seeking to become positive activists, profiles of girls who are involved in leading their community, and resources that range from funding sources to organizations that seek volunteers. The book is filled with useful advice, up-to-date resources, Web sites, and more. One of the book's more important sections highlights the accomplishments of girls who have successfully made a positive change in their community. This section offers girls many peer role models for empowerment. This book is both a handbook for involvement and empowerment and an inspirational guide for young women wanting to make a difference. Grades 4-10

It starts small. Your student picks up an inexpensive souvenir on a family vacation as a way to document and remember the event. Soon, he begins to accumulate similar items on other excursions--and before long--he has a collection. Marbles, thimbles, postcards, matchbooks, magnets, stickers, figurines, coins, stamps, dolls, and more--a collection can be anything brought together into a group. There is no limit to what your students can collect. Look around your classroom, perhaps even you have a collection and aren't aware of it. The Ultimate Guide to Collecting is a practical, hands-on guide for young people interested in starting a new collection or expanding their current collection. The book includes tips on how to start, grow, organize, maintain, and display a collection. The Ultimate Guide to Collecting offers how-to advice for anyone interested in making collecting an exciting learning experience.