Identifying and Supporting Gifted English Language Learners

by Mary C. Campbell

This book is a practical guide for identifying and supporting gifted English language learners (ELLs) based on research and firsthand teaching experience. This book:


Presents practical information and strategies for identifying gifted ELLs.
Helps readers understand more about potentially gifted behaviors and talents.
Supports the enrichment and social-emotional needs of these students.
Includes background information, teaching strategies, and methods.
Offers ideas for lessons and activities that can be used to support any learner.
Research from the last 2 decades shows that there is a considerable disparity between ELLs and native English speakers identified as gifted. This book will inspire action by key players in these students' lives, including English language and gifted educators, classroom teachers, school administrators, district and state leaders, families, and the greater community.

254 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2021

Reviews

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's title explains the contents well. This is something I had not given much thought to before even though I worked in an elementary school library for 12 years. I met a student that probably fit this description, but never made it to the gifted classroom. She started in K not knowing any English but by 3rd grade she was the best reader in her class. What a shame she did not get the gifted classroom experience she deserved. The author recommends various tests, such as the GRS, for identifying gifted students. A review of the test mentions that it includes artistic ability and motivation. I like that the author and test point out that reading and math scores are not the only important parts of an education and recognizing a gifted child. Another wow moment for me was realizing that gifted students do not have educational rights--just because they can work at a faster pace and higher level does not mean they will get the opportunity to excel. The author discusses the importance of collaboration and advocacy in advancing the ELL students into the gifted program. The author uses good examples from her own experiences of showing teachers how to engage ELL students with activities and guidelines in order to get to know them better to determine whether or not they are ready to do work with a gifted class and then what to do with the students after they enter the gifted class. (Summer readathon/self-monitoring/ignore spelling and grammar in first draft/Tweet tweet let them speak...) There is also information on building relationships with families--the most important part of a child's education is family input! As a librarian I appreciate her modern and diverse reading list. There is a list of programs that have been successful in identifying and nurturing gifted ELL students. This is a great resource for K-12 schools and universities.

[Kea4 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t think this book is for me because I found it to be a very dry read.

Sure it talks about English Language Learners (ELL) and how to find so-called ‘gifted’ ELL’s. It gives some ideas as to how to get students involved and see who stands out.

But a part of me kept wondering if all the focus is on these students well what about the ones who are not ‘gifted’. Should we not be more worried that all the children in the class can read, write and understand math? No matter what you do ‘gifted’ students will slip past this net. Do they even want to be in the ‘gifted’ program?

If you make it to the end of the book one is treated to a handful of famous gifted students (Hispanic, Asian and what the book terms Black immigrants). So you get a list of 9 people. No, I am not kidding.
This does not seem to have the desired impact. How about mentioning others who while they might not be ‘famous’ did stand out and benefit from this program. It would have made a much bigger impact on the reader than say listing someone like Ilhan Omar….

https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...

[Linda Rhyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a an important tool to add to your bookshelf! Campbell clearly outlines the steps each stakeholder can take to ensure that students are being identified and served appropriately. She combines research-based strategies with practical ideas for implementation, specifically outlining the importance of collaboration between stakeholders. Parents, teachers and leaders will benefit from reading about how to be equitable in their practices for gifted and talented students who are ELLs. Tangible and accessible activities and ideas are provided making this book's content easy to turnkey in any school. It is a must-read for leaders to create systems that support all students!

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great source for all gifted and talented educators (AIG). The chapters outline how to support, plan, listen, act and teach gifted students. There are also a few appendix items which provide great examples when implementing strategies. Each chapter includes topics such as background information and ideas for lessons. A great resource book!