Curriculum compacting is simple and obvious: If a student already knows something, don’t teach it to them!
Teachers unintentionally overload gifted kids by adding more work but never removing anything. If they know it, move them along! Teach them something new.
Example:
If a pretest shows mastery, skip the unit. Replace it with a project, independent study, or just move them on to the next unit!
Why it matters:
Gifted kids do not need repetition. Compacting protects their time and prevents boredom — the quiet killer of motivation.