Teaching the Gifted and Talented in the Social Studies Classroom

Book excerpt: As part of the "Educating Gifted and Talented Students" series, the booklet offers guidelines for social studies teachers working with gifted students in grades 7 through 12. Characteristics of the gifted and talented are described and criteria for talent identification are pointed out. General strategies and strategies specifically for teaching the gifted are reviewed. The bulk of the booklet contains teaching strategies for use in social studies programs. Strategies are outlined for grades 7 through 12, grades 7 through 9, and grades 10 through 12; and a sample unit on the study of creative people for middle school gifted students is offered. Additional sample units are provided for such areas as relations with other countries. Exercises in critical judgment and reflective reasoning are listed and the importance of including creativity as part of instruction is stressed. (SBH)