The “smart” label we give kids often really means “things are easy for you.” What are the ramifications of this dangerous praise?
All AboutSocial & Emotional Needs
When we pay attention to academics, but not to our students' social emotional needs, we're missing half of the picture.
Teaching Students To Explain Their Thinking
It’s a weird trap: because a child is “so smart”, everyone thinks any gaps in their skills are a result of laziness or defiance. But sometimes the brightest kid needs small group instruction for a skill the rest of the class already gets.
Giving Feedback When The Work Is Great
Our brightest kids can go through school without ever receiving meaningful feedback. This can set up a fear of feedback and a fixed mindset. Here are some ways you can chat with kids about their work…
What Could You Do With This Pancake Flipping Robot?
I love videos of robots messing up tasks. This one in particular struck a chord, because we get to see the robot learn from his mistakes. Let’s have students write him some advice…
Long Term Success: Wondering About Math
Continuing our series on long-term success, we look at the art of wondering. Often our gifted kids wonder deeper and longer than others. But do they wonder about math?
Long Term Success: Strengths Beat Weaknesses
In this second part of a series on Long-Term Success, we look at how to handle gifted students’ weaknesses by creating a culture that’s focused on strengths.
Long Term Success: Excelling In Many Areas
Let’s explore keys to long-term student success. The first is students ability to excel in many areas.
A Shopping List for Kids (and Adults) With Intensities
Here’s a list of interesting items to help intense students in a classroom setting. Fidgety tools, special sets, and even ear plugs!
Tennessee Keynote: So Much More Than Smart Kids
Here’s the last 20 minutes of my keynote from Tennessee’s 2015 state gifted conference. Live audio synced up with my slides.
Calvin: I Thought You Were Smart
A great strip from Calvin and Hobbes for opening up a discussion about hard work, being “smart,” and mindsets in the classroom.