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A good curriculum is one in which instruction and assessment (tests, grades, feedback) work together with the materials and resources so that each child can meet learning goals.
The foundation of what is taught in the Advanced Learner Classes is based on the standards and core objectives designated by the Utah State Office of Education for each grade level. This curriculum is enriched with greater depth and complexity. Depth in curriculum areas may include studying a concept in a variety of ways, conducting original research, or developing a product that brings the concept to a deeper level. Complexity may involve using multiple higher-level skills, adding more variables to study, or requiring multiple resources as a concept is studied. The supplemental curriculum materials used in the Advanced Learner Classes includes curriculum that has been designed for use with high ability students. |
Language Arts for High Ability Learners
College of William and Mary Language Arts Units can be used in first grade through ninth grade. The curriculum model used in these units is the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM). This model was developed by Joyce VanTassel-Baska to guide curriculum development for gifted and talented learners. These students are usually able to learn more difficult material faster and at earlier ages than their peers. They are also able to understand and discuss complex ideas and to focus their attention on challenging activities. The ICM has three dimensions that work together to provide the best learning experiences for high ability students, based on their learning characteristics.
Other models used in the William and Mary curriculum units include the Hamburger Model for Writing, Paul's Reasoning Wheel, and the Taba Model for understanding concepts.
The College of William and Mary Language Arts units have been designed to help students develop analytical and interpretive skills in literature, persuasive writing skills, linguistic competency, listening skills, and reasoning skills. They include pre and post testing to demonstrate student growth. Training is available as a fall semester class or in a two day workshop during the school year. The College of William and Mary also has social studies and science units written for high ability students. The following units have been designated for use at the listed grade level in Granite School District. Most units can be purchased through Kendall Hunt Publishing or the College of William and Mary.
1st grade Beyond Words
2nd grade Families
3rd grade Journeys and Destinations
4th grade Literary Reflections
5th grade Autobiographies
6th grade Persuasion
7th grade The 1940s: Decade of Change
8th grade Threads of Change in 19th Century American Literature
9th grade Utopia
The College of William and Mary also produces novel study guides for advanced readers. Navigators are a series of novel study guides developed as a resource for teachers and students. These guides encourage advanced readers to develop their skills at analyzing and interpreting literature through structured questions and activities that highlight themes and concepts, literary elements, and real world connections contained within the books. Students are also able to develop their own vocabulary and writing skills by exploring and emulating the language and style used by different authors. In addition, several research activities are included in each Navigator. More about Navigators.
Navigators are available for $11.00 each for the titles listed below. The suggested grade levels are listed below.
Charlotte’s Web E. B. White Grades 3-4
Sarah, Plain and Tall Patricia MacLachlan Grades 3-4
The Egypt Game Zilpha Keatley Snyder Grades 4-5
Everything on a Waffle Polly Horvath Grades 4-5
Snow Treasure Marie McSwigan Grades 4-5
Number the Stars Lois Lowry Grades 4-6
Sarah Bishop Scott O’Dell Grades 5-6
Tuck Everlasting Natalie Babbitt Grades 5-7
Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech Grades 5-7
The Dark is Rising Susan Cooper Grades 6-7
Summer of My German Soldier Bette Greene Grades 6-8
There are also Navigators available online for the following titles:
An Angel for Solomon Singer Cynthia Rylant Grades 2-3
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi Chris Van Allsburg Grades 2-3
Talk about a Family Eloise Greenfield Grades 3-4
Bud, Not Buddy Christopher Paul Curtis Grades 4-5
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl Grades 3-5
The Door in the Wall Marguerite de Angeli Grades 4-6
The Junior Great Books program can be used at all grade levels. This program supplements and supports the language arts program. Through the use of quality literature, students build essential reading skills including reading carefully, thinking critically, listening intently, and speaking and writing persuasively.
Vocabulary development and grammar study are included in the language arts program. This may be facilitated through the use of materials developed by Michael Clay Thompson. This approach includes a study of Latin and Greek word stems and includes Grammar Island, Caesar’s English, The Word Within The Word Series, and The Magic Lens. Grammar Island presents the study of grammar for second and third graders. Caesar’s English (appropriate for fourth and fifth graders) and The Word Within The Word Series (for fifth graders and above) approach language and vocabulary development through the study of Latin and Greek stems. The Magic Lens explores the structure of grammar for fifth graders and above. For more information and to order...
Open Court Classics are designed as a supplement for advanced readers to improve their higher-order thinking skills, language skills, and reading comprehension.
Higher level thinking skills and processes including problem solving, and creative thinking are emphasized and developed throughout the curriculum on all grade levels. Problem solving skills are taught and practiced in a variety of contexts. Creative thinking strategies include a focus on the development of fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality of thought.
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Social Studies, science, healthy lifestyles, music, and visual arts are taught using content outlined by the Utah State Office of Education. Topics may be explored in greater depth and complexity and may include the use of Interact simulations and problem-based learning units of study.
Interact Simulations provide challenging content in a variety of curricular areas often by placing students in the “Curriculum of Practice”.
Tom Snyder Productions offers innovative educational software for a variety of curriculum areas that may be appropriate to challenge high ability learners.
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