Get inspired, learn from others, and reflect on the joy of making a difference with "Educating the Gifted: Wisdom and Insights for Inspired Teaching." Covering topics such as identification, equity in access and opportunity, teacher growth, advocacy, and more, this book shares moments of joy, practical strategies, and effective tips for…

Learn how to engage and advocate for undocumented children and youth with this new resource written by and for teachers. "Teachers as Allies" provides educators with the information and tools they need to involve immigrant students and their American-born siblings and peers in inclusive and transformative classroom experiences. The…

This article explores the teacher's role as an advocate for gifted education. It discusses applying the principles of learning to the process of advocacy, including using motivational strategies, scaffolding, and metacognitive skills to advocate. The importance of facilitating the transfer of knowledge is stressed and an advocacy checklist is…

Proposes that theatre teachers should teach students to enter participatory democracy as artists and scholars with the skills to be competent, engaged, and thoughtful citizens. Encourages artists to claim their places as political agents. Advocates the teaching of the artistry of theatre, as well as its history, theory, criticism, and literature…

This article presents a research-based strategy for helping students with disabilities develop self-advocacy skills. Steps in the ASSERT process include: awareness of disability, state disability, state strengths and limitations, evaluate problem and solutions, role play solution, and try it in the real setting. Activities for each step are…

Provides an operational definition of self-advocacy as it pertains to adolescent and adult learners with learning disabilities in postsecondary settings, describes model high school and college programs that teach self-advocacy skills, and discusses important follow-up and support activities essential to the effective use of these skills.…

Two special educators share their experiences in developing standards-based lessons to help students manage their own Individualized Education Programs. They describe strategies used to begin the process, provide a sample unit lesson plan, and show how a typical 50-minute class period could be structured to incorporate self-determination skills.…

This article discusses how regular classroom teachers can use high level curriculum as a catalyst for identifying and nurturing gifted students. It describes the characteristics of a differentiated classroom, how differentiation might look for advanced learners, why differentiated instruction is needed for advanced learners, and how parents can…

A review of learning disabilities in gifted children provides definitions of "learning disabilities" and "giftedness", a classification of gifted students with learning disabilities, the importance of a multidimensional approach to identifying students with gifts/learning disabilities, characteristics, programming guidelines, teaching strategies,…

This article discusses the benefits of student participation in a gifted public relations campaign, including creating public support for gifted programming and developing leadership skills. Steps for developing a formal unit of instruction on public relations are described, along with ideas for public relations activities. (Contains references.)…

The paper reviews music therapy, the educational background of music therapists, music therapy's various settings, and its use as an intervention with girls with Rett Syndrome. Sample music therapy programs for three girls (aged 5, 14, and 20 years) with Rett Syndrome are presented. The sample programs provide: student descriptions; the girls'…

This guide is intended to provide an overview of advocacy issues relating to slow learners in Texas schools. A summary of the research on characteristics of slower learners and successful instructional strategies for these children are also included. The overview addresses slow learners' lack of eligibility for special education, identification of…

This article describes how an educator used a portfolio approach to teach self-advocacy skills to four middle school students with visual impairments. Students wrote about their visual impairment and learning needs, compiled lists of specific words and definitions related to their individual impairments, and wrote letters to their ninth-grade…

This article discusses the obstacles one parent faced in advocating for her gifted children and the positive outcomes of her persistence. A list of strategies for parenting gifted children is provided that include model lifelong learning, nurture strengths and interests, and listen and respond compassionately to your child's emotional needs. (CR)

This guide focuses on methods to teach students with Down Syndrome to maximize their inclusion in school and the community. Following an introductory section, the 10 chapters provide information and practical guidelines on the following topics: (1) acknowledging the label but teaching the student; (2) medical facts about Down Syndrome (e.g.,…