Educating Gifted Students in Middle School: A Practical Guide » (New Edition)

Susan Rakow, Ph.D., is visiting assistant professor in Curriculum and Gifted Education at Cleveland State University. She earned her doctorate at Kent State University in Middle School and Gifted Education. Currently, she coedits the NAGC Middle Grades Division e-newsletter Middle Matters. She presents, consults, and writes about gifted adolescents and how to serve their broad range of needs. More importantly, she is the parent of two gifted children.

Finally . . . finally . . . someone has written a practical and theoretically sound book on educating gifted students in the middle school years. Jim Delisle, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Education, Kent State University Understanding and meeting the needs of gifted students in middle school offers unique challenges. This book provides practical information about meeting these needs. The author focuses on helping teachers, administrators, and parents to: understand gifted middle school students, implement effective program models, define the role of the gifted teacher, identify best practices for the classroom, and apply curriculum ideas that are effective and research based. The book provides specific guidelines for program and curricular planning. The focus of Educating Gifted Students in Middle School is on creative, practical, and realistic school solutions that create a vital and responsive school community for all students.

Teri S. Lesesne - VOYA

Rakow constructs a case for offering significantly different and differentiated instruction for gifted students in middle school in her book that examines multiple facets of the topic. Opening chapters review the state of gifted education in middle schools, referring to the negative impact of various legislative mandates such as No Child Left Behind. Then Rakow turns her attention to specifics concerning the school, classroom, teacher, and materials most appropriate for the particular needs of the gifted learner in the middle school. The structure of each chapter makes Rakow's main points evident as she opens each chapter with a few framing questions and ends each chapter with suggestions for further action and recommendations. Bibliographic references at the end of each chapter are also helpful, providing more information and references. Although much of this information will be helpful to those who are seeking basic information on this subject, experienced professionals will find little in terms of extending their knowledge. More elaboration about some topics would create a stronger book, especially the chapter that focuses on the reading needs and interests of gifted middle school students. The section on bibliotherapy is alarmingly brief. A few booklists contain many adult and classical titles. Although reference is made to some young adult literature resources, the author cites a 1991 edition of Your Reading, seemingly unaware that this tool has much newer editions. Educators looking for a book that presents an overview of gifted education and the issues and concerns associated with it will find it a good starting point especially in terms of knowing some of the leading authoritiesin the field. The subtitle suggests that there will be more practicality. Sadly that seems to be lacking in this book. 2005, Prufrock Press, 251p.; Biblio. Source Notes. Further Reading., pb. Ages adult professional.