The author has been aware for some time that undergraduates typically turn to the Internet first to seek information and sources for any assignment that requires research. A few swift keystrokes and worlds of data appear on screen, ready for instant viewing. For youthful gifted students of today, accessing information on the Internet is as natural…

This article contains excerpts from "Feminist Theory from Margin to Center" (Hooks, 1984) to introduce gifted students to the concept of oppression in order to enable them to recognize and appreciate both the importance and the limits of purely sexist oppression. Discussion questions on oppression are provided. (Contains 2 references.) (CR)

The tenth in a series of articles designed to facilitate philosophical discussions with gifted students, this article explores whether technology is the savior of humanity or the tool of humanity's ultimate destruction. It draws from essays by Martin Heidegger to examine the benefits and disadvantages of technological advancement. (Contains 2…

This article discusses how a social studies teacher taught her middle school students about the components of an opera and prepared her students for putting on an opera. The development of the opera and how the opera training related to the social studies, language arts, and music curriculum are addressed. (Contains 1 reference.) (CR)

This article uses excerpts from Jean-Paul Sartre to examine the meaning of being human and also what it means to be free as a human being. It discusses how Sartre's thoughts on freedom and responsibilities may be usefully applied in science and social studies instruction for gifted students. (CR)

Part of a series of articles discussing different philosophers, this article discusses Martin Luther King Jr.'s adoption of a non-violent struggle to promote the well-being of African Americans by making the United States a country that was more just in terms of the ways individuals of color were treated. (Contains one reference.) (CR)

This article discusses the use of the philosophical argument from design as a demonstration of the existence of God with gifted students in grades 6-8. It explains how this argument, originated by Thomas Aquinas, is presented to students and also describes student responses and curricular integration of Aquinas'"fifth way" into language arts,…

This article describes use of the George Berkeley's philosophical writings to examine the question of whether a tree falling in the forest, with no one around, makes a sound. Examples from his readings are used to stimulate discussion of gifted students about questions of epistemology and metaphysics. Suggestions for curricular integration of this…

This article presents eight passages from Rousseau's "Social Contract," followed by comments clarifying the pivotal concepts in this important and influential work and sketching typical responses to Rousseau as they have occurred in classrooms for gifted students. Strategies for integrating Rousseau's philosophy into the curriculum are provided.…

Using an excerpt from one of Plato's early dialogs, this article examines the distinction between knowledge and opinion. It urges teachers to invite gifted students to reflect on this distinction to make the students more receptive to all levels and types of experiences and to maximize their knowledge in as many subjects as possible. (CR)

Provides general suggestions for introducing philosophy to middle school gifted students. Offers reasons for teaching philosophy, identifies the major elements of philosophy, and urges the reading and discussion of primary sources. Gives ideas for classroom procedure, and an example using six brief excerpts on friendship from Aristotle. (DB)

The second in a series on ways to introduce gifted students to philosophy, this article focuses on the importance of metaphysics. The nature of time is discussed through excerpts from "The Confessions" by St. Augustine and strategies are provided for engaging students in a discussion of his philosophy. (CR)

This article highlights the importance of the introduction of gifted education. It discusses development of the concept of giftedness, and the theory practice relationship. Guidelines are presented regarding the process of formulating and applying policies pertaining to gifted education, including: look for assumptions, check for consistency, and…

Raises concerns about the concept and application of Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences to gifted children. Stresses the importance of practical wisdom, subject-matter content, and intelligent time-utilization. Warns against "edutainment", the ungrounded appeals to fun or entertainment based on supposedly neglected forms of…

This essay examines issues of giftedness and excellence, beginning with classical references to human striving toward the "good," the attraction of gifted children to quality, and the recent discovery of the oldest known cave art with its manifest excellence. Classroom activities related to cave art and language arts, social studies, sciences,…