Achieving Excellence: Educating the Gifted and Talented, CourseSmart eTextbook

This text provides foundational information relating to the field of gifted education (i.e. history, laws, etc.), details characteristics of gifted students from various populations, describes how such students are identifiedand assessed, and presents up-to-date, research-based pedagogy relating to curriculum design and instruction.  It draws upon experts in the field to present content in a practical way so that it is applicable to pre-service and classroom teachers.  Chapter summaries and questions for thought and reflection are included at the end of each chapter to help guide classroom discussion.  In addition, each chapter provides a listing of useful resources that enables the reader to extend their learning on a particular topic or issue.

Chapter 1        Historical Perspectives in Gifted Education

Chapter 2        Legal Issues in Gifted Education

Chapter 3        Theories of Intelligence

Chapter 4        Developing Giftedness and Talent

Chapter 5        Characteristics of Gifted and Talented Learners: Similarities and Differences across Domains

Chapter 6        Personal and Social Development

Chapter 7        Culturally, Linguistically, and Economically Diverse Gifted Students

Chapter 8        Special Populations

Chapter 9        Identifying Gifted and Talented Learners

Chapter 10      Instructional Strategies and Programming Models for Gifted Learners

Chapter 11      Teaching Models for Gifted Learners

Chapter 12      Specialized Programs Serving the Gifted

Chapter 13      Curriculum Development in Gifted Education: A Challenge to Provide Optimal Learning Experiences

Chapter 14      Assessing and Improving Services Provided to Gifted Students: A Plan for Program Evaluation

Chapter 15      Teachers of the Gifted and Talented

Chapter 16      Parenting Gifted Children