Describes a unit of study for gifted fifth graders that connects architecture to the content areas of history, mathematics, and science. Emphasis was on problem solving of real-world problems as recommended in major reports on mathematics instruction. The unit also used technology in innovative ways, including computer-drawn images and digital…

Describes an instructional unit for gifted students (ages 9 to 13) intended to help students understand and better balance efforts to meet the five basic human needs (physiological, belonging, power, freedom, and fun) postulated by William Glasser's control theory. Activities for each of the five units are outlined. (DB)

This case study describes the effects of an art program in raising the self-esteem of an artistically talented fifth-grade girl who remained in the regular classroom while her academically gifted classmates left for gifted programs. Each assignment in the art program, and her response to the activity, are described. (CR)

Describes a statistics project that allowed middle school students to integrate their math, scientific inquiry, and writing skills. Students worked in groups of two to six, picked topics of personal interest, collected data, drew conclusions, and entered a national statistics competition. The course format is outlined. (CR)

Discusses the different learning styles of gifted middle-school males and females in single-sex algebra classes. Discusses the barriers faced by girls in mathematics courses and the benefits of providing girls with opportunities to think and problem solve in an environment less permeated with societal expectations of femininity. (CR)

Describes a successful program that used a step-by-step approach for teaching research and presentation skills to gifted sixth-grade students. Steps included developing a preliminary outline, exploring various sources, organizing information, using higher-level thinking skills, creating a rubric for evaluating presentations, providing handouts,…

Explores the applications of the World Wide Web for differentiating curriculum and otherwise supporting instruction for middle-school gifted students. A sample of an interdisciplinary Web-based curriculum unit is also provided. Web pages focusing on Social Studies, History, Music, Art, Science, Language Arts, and Mathematics are described. (PB)

Presents a lesson plan for teaching abstract science concepts to gifted middle school students. The lesson integrates a physical education component into science instruction to reinforce the abstract notion that electrons emit energy in the form of visible light. (CR)

Describes how gifted middle school students have turned the tragedy of a college student's death into a positive opportunity to advocate for victim's rights and to help provide funding for educational programs on personal safety and violence prevention. The activities of the class and the benefits to students are described. (CR)

Describes a one-week summer law course that taught 15 gifted students (grades four through eight) about the U.S. court structure, the sources of law, juvenile law and how it differs from laws governing adults, the Fourth Amendment, the relationship between students and schools, and gifted education and the law. (CR)

A middle school science teacher describes the learning and thinking processes of his class as they worked and played with pendulums and learned to build a swing that could tell time. The article illustrates how students can learn the value of the scientific method for problem solving. (DB)

This article offers an abbreviated curriculum to help middle school students learn to use humorous strategies to cope with stress. An introductory discussion reviews the literature on coping and the benefits of humor. Outlined for the curriculum are student goals, unit concepts and generalizations, differentiated learner objectives, differentiated…

This article describes an enrichment program for gifted fifth-grade students, which focuses on American presidents. Students develop biographical profiles of a president whom they portray in various individual and group activities over a five-month period. The program addresses issues of leadership, ethics, and collaboration as well as building…

Five problem-based learning activities tested by fourth-grade gifted students are suggested. Each open-ended problem is intended to be worked on by a small group for 30 minutes. Student reactions are quoted and analyzed, noting that students became more willing to take risks, test the properties and limits of their materials, and learn from their…

Five residential programs are offered in the summer at Purdue University for gifted youths in grades 4-12. The short-term programs emphasize intensive enrichment courses in many academic disciplines, and focus on recreational activities as well. Student eligibility, teacher selection and training, and program evaluation are described. (JDD)