Take book activities to the third dimension that reach out to gifted students.
Use these activities with a simple, make yourself paper cube. You can use this pattern from Learning-Connections. Gifted students often have problems not understood by teachers, parents, and other students. These books may help them accept themselves and their gifts.
Themes
Have the students write on each side of the cube ideas or feelings using one of these themes.
- Things you can do about perfectionism
- Messages you would like to send peers/teachers/parents
- Important things girls and boys can do
- Ways to celebrate differences/express uniqueness
- Kinds of support needed for creative growth
Resources for Elementary Students
Demi. (1990). The Empty Pot.
Topic: Courage in admitting failure
Espeland, Pamela. (1998). The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide for Ages 10 & Under.
Topic: The perfection infection
Yolen, Jane. (1977). The Sultan's Perfect Tree.
Topic: Seeing beauty in "imperfection"; being perfect is not growing
Resources for Secondary Students
Adderholdt-Elliott, Miriam. (1999). Perfectionism: What's Bad About Being Too Good.
Topics: Why people become perfectionists; what perfectionism does to your mind, body relationships; ways to cope
Delisle, James R. (1996). The Gifted Kids Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook.
Topic: Is it possible to be perfect?
