Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
Introduction
Part I: Acceleration: Issues and Applications for Gifted Learners (K-5)
1. Acceleration and the K-5 Gifted Child
2. Acceleration in a Differentiated Classroom
3. Acceleration and Creativity: Closing the Gap
4. Assessment for Accelerated Learners
Part II: Appropriate Academic-Classroom Acceleration
5. Acceleration of Content
6. The Thinking Process
7. Product Development
8. Standards and Policy
Part III: Social and Emotional Aspects of Effective Acceleration
9. Obstacles to Acceleration
10. Adaptations to Personality
11. Facilitating Acceleration
12. Social Relationships
13. Facilitating Acceleration for Parents and Educators
References
Index

About the Author

Joan Franklin Smutny is founder and director of the Center for Gifted, a Northern Illinois University Partner. She directs programs for thousands of bright, talented, and gifted children in the Chicago area annually. She also teaches creative writing in many of these programs as well as courses on gifted education for graduate students at the university level. She is editor of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children Journal, contributing editor of Understanding Our Gifted, and a regular contributor to the Gifted Education Communicator, Parenting for High Potential, and the Gifted Education Press Quarterly. Smutny has authored, co-authored, and edited many articles and books on gifted education for teachers, parents, and administrators, including Challenging High Potential Spanish Speaking Students (2012), Teaching Advanced Learners in the General Education Classroom (2011), Manifesto of the Gifted Girl (2010), Differentiating for the Young Child, Second Edition (2010), Igniting Creativity in Gifted Learners, K–6 (2009), Acceleration for Gifted Learners, K–5 (2007), Reclaiming the Lives of Gifted Girls and Women (2007), Designing and Developing Programs for Gifted Students (2003), Underserved Gifted Populations (2003), Gifted Education: Promising Practices (2003), Stand Up for Your Gifted Child (2001), The Young Gifted Child: Potential and Promise, an Anthology (1998), and Teaching Young Gifted Children in the Regular Classroom (1997). In 1996, she won the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the field of gifted education.

Reviews

"A must-read resource. Parents and teachers will value highly the content of this book on acceleration as they work together to address the needs of children who are gifted and talented."
*Julia Link Roberts, Director*

"Acceleration is not treated as a strategy of last resort, but as a logical and reasonable way to acknowledge and provide for the growth and continuous progress of all children."
*Barbara Clark, Professor Emeritus*

"Gives readers excellent step-by-step guidance on extensive ways to provide appropriate acceleration adjustment for our young advanced learners."
*Nicholas Colangelo, Myron and Jacqueline Blank Professor of Gifted Education*

"Each chapter is an in-depth manual on how to sensitively and effectively achieve acceleration collaboratiively with parents, educators, and students."
*Susan G. Assouline, Associate Director*

"A well-written, extremely useful guide for parents and educators who wish to provide gifted students an opportunity to learn at a pace and level appropriate to their abilities. Offers valuable insight on the social and emotional aspects of effective acceleration."
*Jan Davidson, President and Cofounder, Davidson Institute for Talent Development*

"A practical guide for all stakeholders in gifted education: parents, teachers, counselors and administrators.  A ′how to′ with heart and compassion focusing on the whole child that addresses the social and emotional aspects of effective acceleration."
*Dorothy Sisk, Professor and Conn Chair for Gifted Children*

"Provides a much-needed implementation guide for educators and parents who support acceleration.  A critically important addition to the professional libraries of all who support gifted, young people in their quest for an excellent education."
*Susan Winebrenner, Author & Staff Development Specialist*

"A renewed interest in acceleration and powerful support from the research community have triggered a need for practical guidance to effectively implement acceleration practices. This book provides teachers with the tools for assessing individual student′s academic strengths and differentiating classroom practices to accommodate the needs of highly able learners."
*Joseph S. Renzulli, Director*

"A detailed and humane resource for achieving the proper educational match between the curriculum and gifted students′ ability levels, interests, and motivation. All educators and parents interested in the progress of gifted education should read and apply the pedagogically enlightening and inspirational ideas presented."
*Gifted Education News-Page, February/March 2007*

"This delightful book, packed with resources and ideas for working with gifted learners, helps us be aware of all the children in the classroom. It is easy to read and provides a wonderful resource for teachers, parents, and staff."
*PsycCRITIQUES, October 2007, Vol. 52(42)*