Ability grouping and tracking are two methods of grouping students for instruction. Ability grouping, commonly practiced in elementary schools, is when students of similar ability or achievement level within a class are grouped for instruction. Tracking, or grouping between classes, occurs more often in middle and high schools. … [Read more...] about Ability Grouping and Gifted Children
Classroom
Go to the Head of the Class?
Should gifted five-year-olds skip kindergarten and enter the first grade? Or can they benefit from developmental activities like storytelling, block building, painting, music, and finger plays in kindergarten? … [Read more...] about Go to the Head of the Class?
Geometric Building Sets
We have researched and tested three products: Zometool, Roger’s Con-nection, and Plato’s Glo-Mobile. With feedback from children and teachers, we have ranked the sets, taking into account the critical thinking skills challenged; the range of ages and abilities served; the directions and supporting materials available; children’s engagement with the products; product options; and cost and availability. The most comprehensive of the sets is Zometool. The 484-piece Explorer Kit consists of hard … [Read more...] about Geometric Building Sets
Hearing the Music
The Music Within It’s Tuesday morning, and instead of hearing classroom noise or school bells indicating it’s time to change classes, our 14-year-old daughter Niki is in her room playing electric guitar and singing one of her new songs. Music is not just a hobby for Niki; it is her life. She has had several songs copyrighted, she solos at coffeehouses, she’s made a few demo tapes, she performs with an adult contemporary band, she offers piano lessons, and she recently completed enough songs for … [Read more...] about Hearing the Music
Educating with the Harkness Table
Whether it’s English or mathematics, at Phillips Exeter Academy we call all of our classes Harkness classes and our teachers Harkness teachers. Harkness identifies a table you will find at the center of every class, both literally and figuratively. Harkness Tables are oval and seat a dozen students and a teacher, but they are much more than places to sit. Classmates learn by discussing their thoughts and ideas rather than just by taking notes. Teachers participate in discussions and guide … [Read more...] about Educating with the Harkness Table
Ensuring a Middle School Student is Academically Challenged
Parent Question: Since my child entered middle school, she doesn’t seem challenged academically. What advice can you give me and my child’s teacher? … [Read more...] about Ensuring a Middle School Student is Academically Challenged