Supplemental Materials

New - Solving the Research Puzzle: Helping Elementary Students Investigate Successfully

by Debbie Triska Keiser

Studies show research is a preferred activity of gifted learners. Teaching gifted students to research effectively is the challenge. In addition to setting up a research-friendly environment, several questions are addressed in this research resource: How do we facilitate locating information safely in the 21 st century? What are some methods of acquiring this information? In what ways can this information be recorded and organized so that it is usable? How can this information best be communicated? Providing students the tools to research effectively can only have a positive impact on their later endeavors. This new book focuses on six steps to help K - 5 students complete productive research in a classroom. Complete with a CD-ROM of reproducible pages from the book, this resource will have your class completing organized research projects with ease.

New - Creating a Thinking Classroom

by Linda Phemister

Higher-order thinking skills are important for all students. This has been highlighted with the passage of No Child Left Behind legislation and development of statewide educational standards and testing. Students of today face a world where higher levels of thinking and problem solving ability are essential for achievement. This means the instructional emphasis must be adjusted from the lower levels of thinking, such as recall or memory, to include the higher levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

In response to feedback from workshop participants, this book was created as a tool to aid teachers in “planning for thinking.”   The ideas presented are intended for use in stations, but may also be used for whole group instruction. All students will engage in basic thinking skills as well higher-order thinking skills. The activities may be used by the individual student, or in pairs or small group collaboration. The teacher has the flexibility to use the materials in the way that best meets the objectives being taught. Complete with an explanation of the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy and charts full of activity ideas, this book is a must-have for every teacher desiring to challenge students to think more deeply.

Geography for All Seasons

by Brenda McGee

This research-based activity book can be used to review, reinforce, and differentiate world geography instruction. Each of the seasonally oriented, reproducible pages can be completed individually, with a partner, or in small groups. Students are encouraged to sharpen their research skils by using atlases, encyclopedias, globes, and other reference materials to locate information. Studies show that research is a preferred activity for advanced learners. For grades 2 - 8.

Learning to be a Durable Person

Social and Emotional Activities and Teacher Guide

by Mary Hennenfent, Ed.D.

Every gifted program should have an affective needs component. These guides will help teachers develop a tailor-made affective needs program for K - 5 gifted students. Lessons concerning giftedness, talking to adults, making and keeping friends, dealing with stress and emotions, perfectionism, and career choices are presented.

DNA, Genetics, and Biotechnology: Differentiated Activities for Grades 5 - 8

by Mary Hennenfent, Ed.D.

In this unit, students will explore DNA, genetics, and biotechnologies including cloning. They will discover they basic science of each and evaluate the impact these sciences are having today and the future. Students will explore the controversy surrounding cloning and karyotyping to determine if ethical considerations supercede economic and humanitarian concerns. Teacher guide and student guide included.

True Survivors: Reading Comprehension Activities Based on Actual Events for Grades 3 - 5

by Brenda McGee and Debbie Keiser

What's it like to have your house blown away by a tornado while you're still inside? How would it feel to be trapped in an avalanche? What if your cruise ship caught fire in the middle of the night? These and many other death-defying scenarios are brought to life in this book. Each nonfiction story will spur children's curiosity and imagination as they discover the true stories behind history's most incredible survivors.

Readers' Theater and So Much More. . .

by Brenda McGee and Thomas McGee

Our newest book, written for grades 2-6, contains plays, skits, and independent research activities with an innovative twist for differentiated instruction. This high-interest book of humorous skits and plays is a jumping off place for research and creativity for students of all ability levels. Each of the readers’ theaters comes with suggestions for differentiating and extending the content lesson. These plays not only provide a legitimate reason for students to reread text and practice fluency, but also promote cooperative interaction with peers.

New - Answer Dial Kit

Kit Includes:

•  1 sample answer dial

•  24 printed answer dots

•  24 brads

•  24 sheets of cardstock

•  1 answer dial template

Each student in your class will have an answer dial. When you pose a question, students must move the answer dial to the correct answer (Answer Dial has true/false, A-D, 1-4 in color coded stickers). At a given time, students hold up answer dials so you can tell, at a glance, who understands the material and who may need a re-teach.

Click here to see an exciting science kit from McGee-Keiser featuring Mexican jumping beans:

Thinking Outside the Bean: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mexican Jumping Beans . . and MORE!