Have you wondered how to enrich and differentiate within the classroom?
Within the classroom, there are many different ways of providing gifted enrichment, but which type is best?
Before we go over each type of enrichment, there is one very important thing to remember: Regardless of which form you use, there MUST BE INSTRUCTION. Just because a gifted or advanced student is learning at a different level, they must still be taught.
Lets explore the types.
Learning Extensions:
Learning extensions is a very broad term for activities that may encompass a day to a whole unit. These extensions cover the same topic the class is studying, but allow opportunity for deeper thinking. An example of this may be asking the class to add 45 +54, but asking your gifted/advanced students “how many ways can you make the total 99?”. This extension supports differentiation through deeper thinking.
Pros: Learning extensions can allow gifted students to stay with the class during a quick whole group lesson, but provide differentiated work after. Students feel part of the classroom community and enjoy working on the same type of skills. Teachers are able to easily check in with students on a daily (or every-other-day) basis and provide instruction for deeper thinking.
Cons: It can be difficult as a teacher to create learning extensions for an entire unit. If you are able to find tiered activities or units, this model can be great!
Check out:
- Robert Kaplinsky lessons and math extensions
- NRich Math Extensions – be sure to explore by topic
- My K-1 Math Differentiation article for specific math ideas
- My Higher Level Picture Books article for specific reading extension ideas
- Gifted With Goldens TPT (mine!) for many academic extension ideas
Choice Boards:
Choice boards (particularly choice boards with deeper thinking) allow students to choose the activity with deeper thinking. Typically these activities allow for differentiation in the product, but can also differentiate the thinking and process. The goal of these choice boards are to allow for autonomy within the same content/skill as the class.
Pros: Students are able to have autonomy. Great for creatively gifted students. Students can choose their own level of thinking. Choices can be worked on for a few days. Teachers check in with students and provide instruction around the particular assignment.
Cons: Students can often not push themselves and create work that is sub-par. Younger students, especially, need additional support around expectations and time management.
Check out:
- Differentiating Instruction with Menus Series on Amazon. There are different books for many subjects as well as grade levels. This gives you an idea of differentiating products – make sure to continue to add the rigor.
- School and The City has some AMAZING choice boards with critical thinking for many grades and subject areas. HIGHLY suggest checking out her TPT!
Project Based Learning:
Project based learning (PBL) is student-centered, deeper learning through the exploration of real-world problems. This learning usually lasts an entire unit and allows for cross-curricular units. Teachers meet frequently with students to guide learning and ask questions to facilitate deeper thinking.
Pros: Students are able to explore topics cross-curricularly. Gifted students enjoy learning connected to real world experiences. This gives the learning meaning. Many students enjoy this learning and will dive head first into the topics.
Cons: Students can become overwhelmed if there is too much presented at once. It can be difficult to facilitate PBLs as well as whole class lessons – needs strong classroom management.
Check out:
- Texas Performance Standards Projects has some incredible cross curricular PBL’s for all grade levels.
- Core Inspiration by Laura Santos was one of my favorite PBL authors when I taught 3rd grade. She seamlessly connects cross curricular areas of learning.
- Gifted with Goldens TPT (mine!) for some critical thinking math PBLs for 2nd and 3rd grade by each math topic.
Independent Studies:
Independent studies allow gifted and higher level students to explore a topic independently. With teachers acting as a coach/guide, students are able to use their own resources to learn deeply about a topic, and possibly share or present their learning to the class.
Pros: Students who are passionate about a specific topic can explore the topic at great lengths. Students learn independent research skills. Teachers are able to facilitate and coach students through their thinking.
Cons: Students can become passive and not use time wisely. Teachers must explicitly teach research skills as well as time management. Teachers must continue to facilitate and instruct independent studies – students can’t be ignored. Students may not learn about other topics if they are fully immersed in one topic. This may be too difficult for younger students incapable of independence.
Check out:
- Gifted Guide has some incredible Virtual Slide Decks that walk students through independent studies. (Click Virtual – All Students – Genius Hour)
So which type is best?
Well, that depends on your students and your classroom. Regardless of which model you use within your classroom I suggest strong classroom management and explicit instruction on time management. BUT MOST OF ALL, you must continue to INSTRUCT all students. These models are not for “giving students something to do”. Though more independent, you need to continue to facilitate, question, guide, and meet these students at their level.
