One of the most common emails I get from parents and HSTs is, “I think my student is gifted; what should I do?”. Whether your student is zooming through their school work or actively trying to avoid it, there are options to engage your student in fun and productive learning. This post has a lot of information- so grab a snack and settle in! 

Through Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance, we are so lucky to have so many different resources available to us! Clubs and Adventure Academy classes are great ways for your students to engage in their specific interests with others who share those interests, too.

After you check out Clubs and Adventure Academy, check out these ways to increase rigor and creativity in your day to day learning! You may have heard about scaffolding and differentiation; or how to make content more accessible to your student (if not, check out this resource). You are also able to use scaffolding and differentiation to add enrichment and challenge to your students' work. 

1. Use Primary Sources and Advanced Texts

Differentiating instruction by incorporating primary sources and advanced texts challenges homeschool students to engage with material at a higher level, encouraging them to develop critical thinking skills and deep content knowledge. Scaffolding techniques, such as guided reading questions or discussions, can help students navigate these complex materials, making them accessible while still maintaining rigor.

Resources:

• The National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/)

• Smithsonian Learning Lab (https://learninglab.si.edu/)

• Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/)

• Text Scaffolder Tool (https://www.magicschool.ai/tools/text-scaffolder-tool)

2. Open-Ended Questions and Assignments

Open-ended questions and assignments push students to explore topics from various angles, fostering creativity and deeper understanding. By differentiating the level of complexity and scaffolding their responses through guided questioning or brainstorming sessions, parents can encourage students to think critically and articulate their ideas in unique ways.

Resources:

• "The Art of Questioning" by Dennis Palmer Wolf

• "Inquiry-Based Learning: A Guidebook" by Diana Laufenberg

3. Cross-Disciplinary Projects and Assignments

Cross-disciplinary projects allow students to see the interconnectedness of different subjects, enhancing both rigor and creativity. Differentiation can occur by tailoring the project's scope to the student's interests and abilities, while scaffolding can help students integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines effectively.

Resources:

• Edutopia: Cross-Curricular Teaching (https://www.edutopia.org/)

• "Integrating the Curriculum: A Book of Examples" by Susan M. Drake

4. Independent Research

Independent research projects empower students to dive deeply into topics of personal interest, promoting both academic rigor and autonomy. Differentiating the research process by offering varied resources and scaffolding through structured research outlines can help guide students as they navigate complex topics.

Resources:

• Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.purdue.edu/)

• The Big6 Research Model (https://thebig6.org/)

5. Real-World Problem Solving

Real-world problem-solving tasks encourage students to apply their knowledge in practical, meaningful ways. By differentiating the complexity of the problems based on students' readiness and scaffolding their approach through step-by-step guidance, parents can enhance both the rigor and relevance of their learning.

Resources:

• Buck Institute for Education (https://www.pblworks.org/)

• "How to Solve It" by George Pólya

6. Incorporating Technology

Incorporating technology into homeschool assignments allows students to explore subjects through digital tools, enhancing both engagement and rigor. Differentiation can be achieved by selecting technology that matches the student's skill level, while scaffolding might involve providing tutorials or guided practice.

Resources:

• Common Sense Education (https://www.commonsense.org/education/)

• Code.org (https://www.code.org/)

7. Incorporating Art

Artistic expression can enrich homeschool education by allowing students to explore academic concepts creatively. Differentiating by offering various mediums or styles, and scaffolding by providing step-by-step instructions or examples, can help students integrate art with their studies.

Resources:

• The Kennedy Center’s ArtsEdge (https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/)

• "Art Integration and Cognitive Development" by Arthur Efland

8. Introduce Social and Ethical Dilemmas

Introducing social and ethical dilemmas in homeschool education encourages students to think critically about complex issues. Differentiation can involve varying the complexity of the dilemmas, while scaffolding might include providing background information or guided discussions to help students navigate their thoughts.

Resources:

• Facing History and Ourselves (https://www.facinghistory.org/)

• "Moral Reasoning: A Text and Reader on Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues" by David R. Morrow

9. Reflective Journaling

Reflective journaling helps students process their learning and personal growth, deepening their understanding. Differentiation can occur by allowing students to choose the format of their reflections, while scaffolding might involve providing prompts or guided questions to help them get started.

Resources:

• "The Reflective Educator’s Guide to Classroom Research" by Nancy Fichtman Dana and Diane Yendol-Hoppey

• Journal Buddies (https://journalbuddies.com/)

10. Multipart Projects

Multipart projects encourage students to engage with a subject over an extended period, fostering depth and rigor. Differentiation can be achieved by adjusting the complexity of each part, while scaffolding can help students manage the project by breaking it into manageable steps and providing guidance at each stage.

Resources:

• "Project-Based Learning: Real-World Issues Motivate Students" by Suzie Boss

• "The Project Approach" by Sylvia C. Chard

11. Role-Playing and Simulations

Role-playing and simulations allow students to immerse themselves in historical events, scientific phenomena, or social issues, enhancing both understanding and empathy. Differentiation can be implemented by tailoring the roles or scenarios to the student's readiness, while scaffolding might include providing context, character backgrounds, or role-playing guidelines.

Resources:

• "The Drama of History" by Peter Smagorinsky

• "Acting Out: Social Skills Role-Playing" by Carolyn S. Wilhelm