Using the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts With Gifted and Advanced Learners

by Joyce L. VanTassel-Baska

"Using the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts With Gifted and Advanced Learners" provides teachers and administrators examples and strategies to implement the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with advanced learners at all stages of development in K 12 schools. The book describes-and demonstrates with specific examples from the CCSS-what effective differentiated activities in English language arts look like for top learners. It shares how educators can provide both rigor and relevance within the new standards as they translate them into experiences for gifted and advanced learners.

Genres: Teaching

108 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2012

About the author

Joyce Lenore Van Tassel-Baska
Joyce Van Tassel-Baska

Reviews

[Dee Bibb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main goal of this book as stated in the first lines of the introduction is to provide classroom teachers and administrators with some examples and strategies to implement the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts for advanced learners at all stages of development in K-12 schools.

The Common Core State Standards illustrate the curriculum emphases that are needed for students to develop the skills and concepts required for the 21st Century. There are currently 45 states that have adopted the CCSS and this gave cause for gifted education as a field to reflect on supporting gifted and advanced learners appropriately in all of the content areas. Some people feel that gifted education is not needed now because these new standards are already at such a high level. However, although these standards are strong, they will not be sufficient to accommodate the needs of many gifted learners. There will be students that have completed all of the CCSS standards prior to reaching the end of high and this will require educators to provide advanced content for them.

The 21st Century skills that receive major emphasis in this book are: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, Technology literacy, Information media literacy, and Cross-Cultural skills.

Differentiation is the key to unlock the potential of the gifted and advanced learners within the CCSS. The book lays out four major strategies for accomplishing this. We must, (1) provide pathways to accelerate the CCSS for gifted learners;(2)provide examples of differentiated tasks to address specific standards; (3) create interdisciplinary products/units to increase the learning for gifted students and to efficiently address multiple standards at once; and (4) create different assessments to demonstrate authentic learning has taken place.

The booklet has provided us with quite a few different specific standards with examples of how to differentiate for gifted and advanced learners. In order to sufficiently address the curricular needs of gifted and advanced learners, teachers will need to differentiate curriculum by posing progressively more complex issues, using texts according to each student's reading level and interest, modification of mathematical processes according to what has previously been mastered, and the pace of instruction.

The contributors to this booklet also gave a chapter devoted to resources to use when implementing the CCSS with gifted and advanced learners.

This is a book that I purchased to help integrate the CCSS into my own classroom while continuing to challenge my gifted students at a level that will help them grow and be ready for college and the workplace.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The purpose of the book is to give teacher's and administrators some strategies and ready-made examples to use with the Common Core State Standards for English and Language Arts with students across the K-12 curriculum. The new CCSS have been adopted by 45 states so far, and are aimed at teaching students what they need to succeed in college and/or the workplace. Emphasizing the skills needed in the 21st century. Skills that are highly stressed are collaboration, communication, thinking skills, creative thinking, problem solving, technology literacy, information media literacy, and cross-cultural skills. Though not all inclusive, this book is a fine example of how to use chosen standards with children with different abilities. Whether whole class, cluster grouping, or individuals pulled out and taught elsewhere many of the ideas and methods can be used as is or with a little modification. Examples are set up with GRADE and STRAND and then an idea for TYPICAL STUDENTS and ADVANCED STUDENTS. Relying heavily on Bloom's Taxonomy these examples may spark a teacher to ideas on how to modify for their classroom. This book would be a good start for any new teacher or for parents who home school or want to be more involved in their children's education. An experienced teacher may not want to invest the money for a few ideas.

[Dr.Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly models differences with Common Core for typical vs. advanced learners. An easy skim and great reference. Good support for positives of Common Core curriculum with emphasis on advanced reasoning and writing skills required.

[Eden Steffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provided many ideas for you. I would like to see many more ideas, however.