CommonLit

I was so thrilled to see this post by Richard Byrne (who is one of my favorite Engaging Educators!) about CommonLit. This is going to be an awesome resource for me to use with my 4th and 5th grade GT students.  I will let Richard tell you the details, but suffice it to say that … Read more

Dynamite Valentine’s Day Diversions

UPDATE 1/26/2021 – Here is my up-to-date Wakelet collection of Valentine’s Day resources. Don’t groan.  I know it seems far away, but when you only see each grade level once a week (like me) holidays tend to sneak up on you! Okay, so the status of Valentine’s Day as an actual holiday is debatable.  But … Read more

How We Got to Now

I’m going to break one of my blogging rules and write about something that I haven’t actually seen or read yet (I don’t think this is first time I’ve broken that rule, but I could be wrong).  I keep running across articles about it, and I heard an interview with the author on NPR. One … Read more

The Giver

If you visit my Pinterest Board of Books for Gifted Students, you will see The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is prominently featured.  I read this dystopian novel along with my 5th grade Gifted and Talented students every year, and those of you who know me are aware that I don’t often do the same thing more than … Read more

What Would Socrates Do?

In past posts, I’ve mentioned using “Socratic Dialogue” with my students.  Sometimes this is referred to as “Socratic Method”, “Socratic Seminar”, or “Socratic Circles.”  You can learn more about this teaching technique here and in my post on “Socratic Questions.” I recently ran across an excellent post on the Langwitches blog called, “Socratic Seminar and … Read more

It’s Not Enough

You know the one – that student who always finishes first, and appears to have nothing else to do.  Sometimes he or she gets into trouble.  Sometimes, you get tapped on the shoulder, and hear a voice say, “What should I do now?” You’re busy. There are other children who didn’t understand, who need your … Read more