True or false: we don’t need to support advanced readers because gifted students are naturally stronger readers?
False… well, kind of.
Honestly, it all depends on your child’s area of giftedness. If they are gifted in language, then reading most likely comes easily. However, if they are gifted in math, art, or science, then reading could be an area of struggle. Or, at least, an area with room to grow.
Why is it that teachers look at gifted students as being academically gifted in all areas?
It could be because in elementary school, so many students who qualify early for gifted programs are identified because they accelerate in reading compared to their peers.
It could also be misunderstandings of what giftedness truly means. Or, how a gifted brain thinks and learns.
Honestly, none of that matters. We must stop placing our gifted brained kiddos on the automatic path to high academic success. Our students are telling us what they need, but are we listening?
Why Gifted Students Might Struggle with Reading
There is no one size fits all approach to reading. People process language in different ways. Some of us are better at reading words on a page, while others need to read and listen to the words out loud.
When a student has struggled with reading for years, we have a plan. That child is put in a program to help reteach skills and monitor progress.
But what happens when students identified as gifted (or even high achieving) struggle in reading? Often, they are left to figure it out on their own.
Struggling can look different for gifted students. While they understand how to decode words, they might not have the skills to infer. While they understand advanced vocabulary, they may be confused by figurative language or tone.
Understanding the meaning of a text is comprehension. This is where a lot of gifted students start to struggle in upper grades because comprehension is challenging.
As students move through school, comprehension pieces start to carry more and more weight in reading. The texts are full of deeper meaning and the questions require students to answer “how” and “why”, not just who, where, when, or what.
How to Support Advanced Readers
If you Google how to support readers, you will see pages of support. But, who has time to dig through advice for below grade level students when you need to reach your gifted students.
These are the three strategies I use in my classroom:
1- Small Group Instruction.
Yes, gifted students need to be pulled into your small group. Not only do they need it, but they want it. Remember, for many upper elementary gifted and high achieving kids, they are left on their own because the focus is usually below grade level students.
Depending on the guided reading curriculum you follow, you could see your below grade level students 2 or 3 times before you see above grade level. Add time, multiple classes, and daily interruptions mean you could go a week or more without seeing gifted students.
One method that works well for my gifted kids is the use of mini book clubs for our small group. Many of my students are already involved in our school-wide book club, Tomes Society, so I read the books, too.
When I pull my group back, we have a text to talk about and I can review more abstract concepts like theme, tone, and language choice.
2- Flipping the Classroom
I love creating pre-recorded lessons. These lessons are focused around one specific skill and last 20 minutes at most. They also make the perfect resources for flipping your classroom in a face2face learning environment.
Flipped-classrooms are student led with the teacher as a facilitator. Students start a new lesson with a recorded video and activity as their introduction. Then, they get support and specific instruction from the teacher.
I love this model because I can front load information for all my students. This also gives them ownership in their learning. They are introduced to vocabulary and key details before they see me. In addition, when I get to my instruction piece, students are ready to dig in to the real content. Finally, flipping a classroom is a great center option when I need to pull small groups or host conferences.
3- Choice in Learning & Application.
One of my favorite ways to support my students, no matter their academic level, is through choice boards. When a student has a choice in what they learn or how they present their knowledge, they feel more connected to the content and outcome.
Choice boards are an effective way to differentiate for your students. Plus, they are easy to put together and use. Some of my favorite choice board options are creativity-based. This means they allow for students to explore, construct, and demonstrate their learning in multiple ways.
In the choice board I created below, students have five options: a one act play, museum exhibit, diorama, before & after writing, and an interactive journal. Within each option, students have a few steps to complete to show their understanding.
This choice board can be used with just about any reading standard. In addition, it’s a perfect workshop piece to use with small group instruction or a flipped classrooms.
Next Steps to Support Advanced Readers
The problem: gifted students are expected to be strong readers but really need support.
The solution: try intentional small groups based around books studies, design a flipped-classroom, or incorporate choice boards into your existing instruction.
