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Gifted Education: Beyond the Basics
Understanding gifted learners. Challenging their thinking. Helping every learner grow.
Explore research-informed strategies, practical classroom resources, and innovative learning opportunities designed to support the unique needs of gifted learners.
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Essential Gifted Education Resources
Free · 3 min read · Draft
What Gifted Education Is — and What It Isn't
Gifted education starts with a practical question: what does this learner need next? It is a response to advanced learning needs, not a prize for good behavior or a promise that a child will excel at everything.
Teachers · Parents · Homeschool educators · School leaders
Free · 4 min read · Draft
10 Instructional Strategies That Challenge Gifted Learners
A challenging task asks for new thinking, not simply more output. These ten starting points help teachers plan that shift while keeping goals, evidence and support visible.
Teachers · Gifted specialists · Homeschool educators
Free · 2 min read · Draft
Enrichment vs. Depth vs. Acceleration
Enrichment, depth and acceleration can all create new learning, but they answer different needs. Choose the response that fits what a learner is ready to understand next—not the one with the most impressive label.
Teachers · Parents · Homeschool educators · School leaders
Free · 2 min read · Draft
Why Gifted Students Need More Than Extra Work
When a learner has already demonstrated a target, doubling the number of similar questions does not necessarily create a new learning goal. A more useful response changes what the learner must figure out.
Teachers · Parents · Homeschool educators
Free · 3 min read · Draft
Using Pre-Assessment to Make Instructional Decisions
Pre-assessment is useful when it changes instruction. Gather just enough evidence to identify what a learner understands, where support is needed and which next step is worth trying.
Teachers · Gifted specialists · Homeschool educators
Who are you?
12 areas of gifted education
01
Understanding Gifted Learners
What giftedness is, how it can show up, and why gifted learners need instruction matched to their readiness.
02
Gifted Identification & Assessment
How schools find gifted learners using multiple measures, and how assessment can guide instruction.
03
Teaching Gifted Students
Practical strategies, each with what it is, why it works, when to use it, a classroom example, steps and a student activity.
04
Differentiation & Depth
Adjusting content, process and product so gifted learners think more deeply — not just do more work.
05
Curriculum Compacting & Acceleration
Pre-assess, skip what's mastered, and use the time for deeper or faster learning.
06
Social-Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners
Supportive, age-appropriate guidance on motivation, belonging, perfectionism and resilience.
07
Twice-Exceptional & Diverse Gifted Learners
Strengths-based support for learners who are gifted and also have disabilities, are multilingual, or are often overlooked.
08
Gifted IEPs & Student Growth
Writing measurable goals, monitoring progress and sharing growth with families.
09
Parent & Homeschool Resources
Ways to understand, challenge and advocate for a gifted child at home and at school.
10
Gifted Programs & School Leadership
Designing, staffing and evaluating effective, equitable gifted programs.
11
Professional Learning
Workshops and training connected to the #smithingifted Teacher Lab and Professional Development.
12
Free Gifted Education Resources
Guides, questioning tools, choice boards and templates — from the main #smithingifted Resource Library.
Take Learning Further With #smithingifted
Included in Academy Membership — Premium Access, $44.99/month or $399/year.
Depth & Complexity Challenge 🔒 Academy
Develop deeper thinking through patterns, ethics, perspectives, unanswered questions, and conceptual relationships.
Duckventures Writing Challenge 🔒 Academy
Build creativity, writing skills, and communication through student-centered writing adventures.
Math Acceleration Academy 🔒 Academy
Use readiness evidence, compacting, advanced mathematical challenges, and personalized learning pathways.
Global Innovation Lab 🔒 Academy
Connect students through research, STEM, entrepreneurship, innovation, and authentic global problem-solving.