Gifted Teacher Toolbox: Academic Resources
Welcome back to day two of Gifted Teacher Toolbox – today we will explore Academic Resources. If you missed day 1: Affective Resources, make sure to check out that blog post!
As I sat down to write this blog posts, I thought “Where do I even begin?!”. There are thousands of amazing resources for enriching and extending academic content. What I want to share with you are some of my favorite websites/books/products that I consistently go back to year after year.
This blog post will be split into 3 sections: Resources for all students and grade levels, K-2 Students, and then 3-5 Students.
When I think about what makes a good resource for gifted students, I look for the depth of knowledge, the critical thinking aspect, and the opportunities for creativity and choice. As you read through and hopefully find some new resources for you to use, keep in mind that you may need to alter some of these resources to meet the needs of your students. Additionally, remember that these resources are good for ALL STUDENTS and can be differentiated to meet the needs of your entire classroom. Start with the highest student in mind first!
All Grade Levels for your Gifted Teacher Toolbox
Below are some of my favorite resources that I have used with many grade levels in different capacities.
Multidisciplinary/Critical Thinking:
- Big Ideas for Little Scholars Website
- The Gifted Guide Website
- Breakout EDU (you do need an account, but it is amazing for all grade levels and subject areas!)
- Byrdseed Website
- Puzzle Barron Logic Puzzles
- Depth and Complexity
- Gifted Guild’s Guide to Depth and Complexity Book
- Creative Acts for Curious People Book
- Critical Thinking Skills Daily PPT Practice
- SCAMPER Creative Thinking Activities
- Action Project Choice Board (K-2 and 3-5 Option)
- Hexagonal Thinking Mysteries
Math:
- Tang Math
- Which One Doesn’t Belong
- Robert Kaplinsky Website
- Solve Me Puzzles
- Depth of Knowledge Question Stems
Literacy:
- Book Creator
- Jacobs Ladder Comprehension Program
- Higher Level Picture Book Comprehension Questions
- Fiction Reading Responses for Creativity
- Depth and Complexity Reading Response Menus (all grades)
- Depth of Knowledge Reading Questions
K-2 Resources
- Week By Week Mathematics Essentials
- NRich Website (Primary)
- Math Before Bed Website
- Math Magic Square Puzzles
- Place Value Puzzles
- Visual Spatial Puzzles
- PETS Critical Thinking Series
- Depth and Complexity Primary Introduction Extension Units
- 2nd Grade Entire Year Math Extensions
- ELA Mysteries
- Analogy Practice
3-5 Resources
- NRich Website (Secondary)
- Beast Academy
- Real World Math Projects 4-5th Grade Book
- 3rd Grade Entire Year Math Extensions
- Addition and Subtraction Error Analysis
- 3rd Grade Choice Board Math Extensions
- Accessing Complex Texts Book
- Stories with Holes
- Spatial Reasoning Book
In Conclusion…
There are thousands of incredible resources for gifted students, but these are some of the resources I use year after year. Though many of them are well known in the gifted community, I wanted to have one place to capture so many great resources! Wether you are a brand new GT teacher or a long time veteran, I hope you were able to find at least one new resource that will support your students this year!
Missed Last Years Back to School Series on Planning for Gifted Kids? Check out each post below!
Back to School Planning:
Low Prep, High Thinking Strategies
