Here are my three favorite young adult novels with gifted females as main characters. Each protagonist struggles to balance her abilities with others’ expectations. None rely on tired cliches or overused school settings. And each novel is so well-written that I read them on my own during summer break!
Last month’s paradox post was very popular, so here’s another. These are a blast to share with kids. Use them to help students think through a complex problem, finding all possibilities. Work on the ability to articulate thinking. And, naturally, have them find and create their own.
Much like twisting the lens of a camera, a simple shift of focus adds an immediate layer of complexity and novelty that excites students. It gives them a new way to engage in grade-level curriculum, and doesn’t take hours of work from teachers.
Color Uncovered is a fascinating app for iPad put out by The Exploratorium in San Francisco. The app is billed as an “interactive book,” and features experiments kids can perform on their own, investigating optical illusions, light, and color.