Comments on: Differentiating Within A Gifted Classroom

By: Uplevel Grammar By Examining Another Language

Uplevel Grammar By Examining Another Language — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:11:07 +0000

[...] creating an above-level grammar group, I was left with the problem of creating a challenging grammar assignment. Inspired by a [...]

By: Bonnygale

Bonnygale — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:34:00 +0000

Compacting out is when a child has shown mastery of an area–they don’t have to do EVERYTHING, just a compacted, smaller assignment since they already know it. With the time they save, they can work on something else that is of interest to them. Some teachers make it be in the same general instructional area, but it could be that the child “buys time” to work on his/her own project. Compacted means just that–there is less time spent on known material.

By: Llfort5

Llfort5 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:31:08 +0000

I am so thrilled by your ideas. I was wondering if you could explain compacted out?

By: nbosch

nbosch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:18:54 +0000

I've just popped in a couple of times but so far I'm impressed. To see you differentiating within a gifted classroom! Yikes, I can't even get my gen ed teachers to differentiate a tiny bit for their gifted students! N

By: nbosch

nbosch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:18:54 +0000

By: byrdseed

byrdseed — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:30:41 +0000

Lynette,
Thanks for the comment! 100% is the requirement in this case because each skill is tested with five multiple choice questions. I completely agree that 100% is usually an unreasonable request, and in normal circumstances I use 90% as you recommend. I appreciate the feedback!

By: byrdseed

byrdseed — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:19:03 +0000

Jeanne, the only reason 100% is the requirement is because the theme test only has five multiple choice questions per skill. On other pretests, I use 90%, as you mentioned. Perhaps I should have clarified that in the post. Thanks!

By: Lynette Breedlove

Lynette Breedlove — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:06:14 +0000

Wow! A teacher doing exactly what kids needs and making it sound practical. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your post will help me show teachers that it isn't just me saying this is do-able! I'm with

Jeanne – why 100%? Depending on who you read, mastery can be demostrated at as low as 85%. I ask teachers to use 90% as their mark of mastery – it's still an A. I specifically ask them not to sue 100% because that communicates that perfection is the goal.

By: Jeanne_Bernish

Jeanne_Bernish — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:42:39 +0000

Curious why students need 100% on pre-test. Isn't 90% on a pre-test usually considered mastery? Love the post though – really speaks to the need for differentiation even within a gifted classroom – thanks for posting!