Resources to support the education and teaching of highly able learners
Organisations
National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE)
An independent charity working with schools, education leaders and practitioners to improve provision for more able learners. Has a focus on meeting the needs of more able learners and embedding an ethos and culture of high expectations for all, schools can ensure all young people have opportunities to flourish through its webinars, coaching, training, CPD and networking opportunities to share best practice and guidance.
Formerly known as the National Association for Gifted Children, is a charity based in the United Kingdom. It provides support for families and schools, including advice sheets, resources, newsletters, workshops and webinars.
Works with gifted young people under 18. The mission of the Davidson Institute is to recognise, nurture and support profoundly intelligent young people and to provide opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a positive difference.
Mensa has members of all ages in around 90 countries worldwide. The society provides its members with diverse and exciting opportunities for social, cultural, and intellectual interaction. It has approximately 145,000 Mensans in roughly 90 countries throughout the world.
National Society for the Gifted and Talented
An organization from Stanford University in the USA to encourage gifted and more able children and youth. It is committed to acknowledging and supporting the needs of these children by providing recognition of their significant academic and artistic accomplishments and access to educational resources and advanced learning opportunities directly related to their interests and talent areas.
The goal of the NSGT is to provide a structure where gifted and talented children and youth are identified, and as members, can expect to find information and opportunities that directly relate to, and cultivate, their abilities and desires to achieve at a high level.
World Council for Gifted and Talented Children
The World Council for Gifted and Talented Children is a worldwide non-profit organization that provides advocacy and support for gifted children. The WCGTC is a diverse organization networking the globe with an active membership of educators, scholars, researchers, parents, and others interested in the development and education of gifted and talented children of all ages.
The National Association for Gifted children
An organization in the US focused on the needs of gifted and talented children. Dedicated to uplifting and empowering those who support children with advanced abilities, NAGC provides energizing professional learning, impactful research, and inspiring advocacy to ensure all children have equitable opportunities and support to develop their gifts and talents. Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP)
From the University of Glasgow, offering support and advice relating to the Scottish education system in three main areas: publications, staff development and national conferences. SNAP has specialised in teaching and learning for highly able pupils for over 20 years. Working in the field of both Special Educational Needs/ Additional Support Needs and Gifted and Talented Education, SNAP have an interest and considerable experience of working with teachers as they support children of high ability. University of Glasgow - Research - Research units A-Z - Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP) - About SNAP
On-line and other support
Hoagies' Gifted Education is a site of resources, articles, books and links to help and support parents, teachers, and gifted children alike.
The Royal Society's website contains curriculum-linked science teaching resources. http://invigorate.royalsociety.org/
IGGY Juniors is an online programme for creative young people aged 7 upwards from the University of Warwick, UK. IGGY Junior Commission: Education and the Internet report (warwick.ac.uk)
IGGY (International Gateway for Gifted Youth) is a network for gifted teenagers in the UK and Internationally, based at the University of Warwick.
Backyard Brains gives open source science experiments to try.
Nrich Maths is a free online support for enriching mathematics for all stages http://nrich.maths.org/public
Neuroscience for Kids has games by the University of Washington.
Tomorrow’s Achievers run day courses for gifted and talented children in London, the South East, Liverpool and the West Midlands, UK.
Gift Courses is an organization that runs both residential and non-residential courses for gifted and talented children.
Sutton Trust funds University Summer School (UK) places for children from disadvantaged backgrounds http://www.suttontrust.com/summer-schools/
Debate Chamber offers 3-day summer schools for young people (Young Thinkers, Young Doctors and Young Lawyers) aged 11-14, as well as 3- and 5-day summer schools for 15-18 year olds in a variety of subjects.
The Davidson Institute (USA) Gifted Summer Programmes offer three unique options for gifted youths ages 8 - 16 to engage them academically and foster community connections.
Exquisite Minds. Gifted and Creative Children. Free Gifted Resources and Curriculum
Books for Parents
1. A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children Barry Teare
2. How to Raise a Bright Child: Practical Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Talents from 0-5 Years Dr Joan Freeman
3.The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them by Elaine N. Aron
4. Brilliant Activities for Gifted Children: That Other Children Love Too by Ashley McCabe Mowat
5. Gifted Children: A Guide for Parents and Professionals edited by Kate Distin
6. Stand Up for Your Gifted Child by Joan Franklin Smutney
Books for Children: younger age range
Wonderwise series by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom – a non-fiction series, related to a young child’s world, with lovely artwork. Titles include ‘What’s Under My Bed?’, ‘What’s Up?’ and ‘Is A Blue Whale The Biggest Thing There Is?’
I Wonder Why series published by Kingfisher is full of information presented in a young child friendly format.
Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent by Lauren Child is a complex picture book about a child-genius.
The Gentle Giant by Michael Morpurgo is a picture book format with complex language.
Barefoot Books produces a variety of storybooks, many with stories from different cultures.
The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry by Brian Patten.
Books for Children: Primary age range +
National Geographic Kids is a monthly magazine available at newsagents or by subscription.
Dorling Kindersley First Reference series of seven books with titles such as Nature Encyclopedia, Dinosaur Encyclopedia and Science Encyclopedia. Great visual appeal.
Horrible Histories by Terry Deary is a collection of factual books about history ‘with the gory bits left in’. Includes titles such as Stormin’ Normans, Awesome Egyptians and Groovy Greeks.
Farm Boy, Toro!Toro!, Conker, Mr Skip and Billy The Kid by Michael Morpurgo are suitable for this age group and tackle issues from a young child’s point of view.
The Diamond Brothers Detective Agency Series by Anthony Horowitz, tells of the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his little brother, Nick Diamond, who is considerably more intelligent.
The Week Junior. A weekly current affairs magazine for ages 8-14.
BBC Focus. A monthly science and technology magazine
Philosophy for Kids: 40 Fun Questions That Help You to Wonder by David White. Inspire animated discussions of questions that concern all of us with this interactive book.
13 Photos Children Should Know by Brad Finger. Some of the world's most renowned pictures. Other books in this series include 13 Paintings Children Should Know, 13 Sculptures Children Should Know and 13 Buildings Children Should Know.
Shakespeare Stories Collection by Andrew Matthews and Tony Ross is a great early introduction to Shakespeare.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl
The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Ruby Redfort series by Lauren Child
Inkheart series and Dragonrider by Cornelia Funke
