#smithingifted

Coding

  • Finding Professional Development That Actually Works for the 3–5 Gifted Classroom 🚀

    Finding Professional Development That Actually Works for the 3–5 Gifted Classroom 🚀

    This blog post shares my love for finding meaningful professional development for the 3rd–5th grade gifted classroom. As a self-proclaimed PD junkie, I’m always looking for fresh ideas that support STEM, coding, robotics, maker education, creativity, and real-world problem solving. One of my favorite PD resources is Infosys Pathfinders, a free platform that offers valuable…

  • Choice, Pace, and Purpose: Gifted Students Shouldn’t Have to Wait for Their Next Assignment

    Choice, Pace, and Purpose: Gifted Students Shouldn’t Have to Wait for Their Next Assignment

    This blog post explores why gifted students need choice, flexible pacing, and meaningful purpose in their learning. Instead of making fast finishers wait or giving them extra busy work, the #smithingifted model allows students to move forward through choice-based pathways, badges, portfolios, STEM, robotics, coding, research, and extension challenges. Gifted education is not about giving…

  • Building a Coding & Robotics Continuum for Gifted Learners 🤖💡

    Building a Coding & Robotics Continuum for Gifted Learners 🤖💡

    This blog explains how the #smithingifted Coding & Robotics Continuum organizes STEM tools into a purposeful, 3-year learning pathway for 3rd–5th grade gifted students. Instead of using coding and robotics as random activities, the continuum helps students move from introduction to developing skills to strong, independent use across four nine-week cycles each year. It highlights…