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Published Resources on Gifted
Books
  • A list of Books on Giftedness for Parents - provided by Pine View School’s media director, Ms. Deveny. Pine View is Sarasota County’s public school for intellectually gifted students. It is the only public school of its kind in the State of Florida and one of only several throughout the country.
  • Books on Gifted Topics for Parents.
    Hoagies’ Gifted Education website consists of about 900 pages of information on gifted children and adults… All the resources listed on Hoagies’ pages are recommended by parents, teachers, psychologists, and/or gifted kids themselves.
In the News:
  • Global Superpower - The unique International Baccalaureate program sparks both admiration and controversy ---Edutopia magazine’s November 2006 issue
    For much of its thirty-eight-year history, IB was available in a sprinkling of high schools -- perhaps the best-kept secret in education. But as school districts strive (and struggle) to improve student performance, IB is expanding quickly. In the United States, 521 high schools offer IB, a demanding collegeprep curriculum with an emphasis on global education -- up from 327 in North America six years ago. Last May, 13,089 students were candidates for the IB diploma, and 27,557 more took at least one IB exam without necessarily enlisting in the full program. Once adopted on a school-by-school basis, the IB Diploma Program now is embraced by entire districts, including those of Philadelphia and Chicago, in a push to raise high school standards. Lower-grade versions of IB, designed to improve learning from day one, are gaining steam in elementary schools and middle schools… If you want academic excellence, put students in an academically excellent program. They’ll rise to the occasion…
  • A Dozen Promising Practices ---Edutopia: Success Stories for Learning in the Digital Age
    Despite numerous efforts to improve what happens in classrooms, many schools continue to follow decades-old models and roles. The traditional classroom is a closed box, sealed off from access to people, ideas, and experiences beyond its walls. All knowledge is contained in the teacher’s head and in the textbooks and other materials inside the classroom. Students sit at desks arranged in rows and work individually. Roles are confined to a strict hierarchy -- the teacher’s job is to teach by talking; the student’s job is to learn by memorizing.

    As many have noted, the 21st century requires very different kinds of classrooms bearing little resemblance to their ancestors. Here we present 12 tips from leading teachers and exemplary schools around the country that can break down the isolation of the classroom, open up its four walls, and breathe new life into teaching and learning. Many of these innovations introduce new roles for students and teachers and address how time is used during the school day. They all lead to closer relationships between students and teachers and among students themselves. Perhaps surprisingly, many of these practices do not require more funds, if any, but only the willingness to "think outside the box."
  • Schools vying for Brevard’s brains (October 16, 2006)
    BY JAMES DEAN, FLORIDA TODAY
    It’s a matter of keeping up with the Joneses, some Brevard Public Schools principals say. Tired of watching many of their most talented students leave for choice schools each year, traditional middle and high schools are fighting back by adding "signature" accelerated academic programs of their own. A half-dozen are adding, or trying to add, the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge programs, hoping to retain and attract top students, improve FCAT results and build recognition. In an increasingly competitive educational market, they say, offering advanced placement classes and earning A or B grades from the state isn’t enough to prevent "brain drain" at neighborhood schools.
  • Local leaders like school’s IB program - A field trip to Palm Harbor University High School impresses Hernando officials, who want to start an IB program of their own. (January 11, 2006)
    St. Pete Times
    The trip took about an hour and a half in a yellow school bus, a 51-mile trek from the School Board offices in Hernando County to Palm Harbor University High School in north Pinellas County…to view the school’s International Baccalaureate program, a curriculum that might offer the most rigorous academic experience available for many high school students…Although students in Hernando County can take AP classes, school district officials say they want to offer more opportunities to the county’s most talented students…
Periodicals that address gifted issues: (subscription may be required)
  • Imagine, a periodical for students published by the Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins University.

    Published five times a year, Imagine provides insights, information, and solid counseling to young, motivated readers. Each issue includes: Articles about exciting summer programs and extracurricular activities across the country written by student participants, Advice on planning for college, Student reviews of selective colleges, Career profiles of accomplished professionals, Book reviews, puzzles, web resources, and much more…

    Half of each issue is devoted to a broad focus topic, showcasing activities that students can do now to pursue that interest, as well as career opportunities in the field. Focus topics for 2006-07 are: Mathematics, Storytelling, Medicine & Health Sciences, Seeing the World, Computers, Connections, and Codes.

  • Links by Subject
  • Understanding Our Gifted, published by Open Space Communications. Columnists include Dr. Miraca Gross, the author of Exceptionally Gifted Children and A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America’s Brightest Students. Available in print or Online. All quarterly issues from the past year are available for Online subscribers. A complimentary online issue is available upon request.
Additional Resources for Parents:
  • EROD - Education Resource Organizations Directory - U.S. Dept. of Education
    The Directory is intended to help you identify and contact organizations that provide information and assistance on a broad range of education-related topics. Ability to search by keyword, for example "gifted".

Books for Kids

  • Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they’ve read, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes. Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning.
  • Categories in Thinking Skills - A list of books on Analogies, Creative Problem Solving, Logic and Reasoning, and Thinking Skills by Prufrock Press Inc.

Citrus Organization for the Gifted (COG)
contact us: citrusgifted@yahoo.com
Please direct any website inquiries to: Webmaster
Last updated: October 24, 2007