Brief Overview of Curriculum Web Pages at the Center for Gifted Education (CFGE)*
The College of William and Mary
Curriculum
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The Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary is a research and development center. The Center provides services to support of the needs of gifted and talented individuals. One of the Center’s goals is to develop, field-test, and disseminate curriculum in relevant content areas at appropriate developmental levels.
Access to the publication: What Works: 20 Years of Curriculum Development and Research. The publication documents 20 years of research using the Integrated Curriculum Model. This document summarizes each of the curricular materials as well as the impact on student learning.
Under the Curriculum drop-down menu, the following categories are available for selection: Curriculum, complete listing of curriculum materials, language arts curriculum, mathematics curriculum, science curriculum, social studies curriculum, Internet resources for technology, William and Mary teaching models, frequently asked questions, and materials descriptions and order forms. Materials are disseminated either through the Center for Gifted Education, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, or Prufrock Press.
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The Integrated Curriculum Model is the basis for the curriculum framework. The model is designed to respond to gifted learners’ characteristics of precocity, intensity, and complexity through its three interrelated dimensions 1) advanced content, 2) higher-level processes and product development, and 3) interdisciplinary concepts, issues, and themes. The Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM) has been translated into a curricular framework and set of teaching units in the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
The teaching models emphasize critical thinking skills. The design is flexible and may be adapted for use in a variety of lessons.
From “Effective Curriculum and Instructional Models for Talented Students,” by J. VanTassel-Baska, 1986, Gifted Child Quarterly, 30, pp. 164–169.
Integrated Curriculum Model Features
Overarching Concepts / Advanced Content / Process-ProductChange / In- depth / Elements of Reasoning
Systems / Advanced Reading / Research
Patterns / Primary Sources / Problem-based Learning
Cause & Effect / Advanced skills / Inquiry Skills
VanTassel-Baska, J. (2003). Content-based curriculum for high-ability learners: An introduction. In J. VanTassel-Baska & C. A. Little (Eds.), Content-based curriculum for high-ability learners (pp. 1-23). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.
There are six models:
The Literature Web: Students write their personal reflection on certain elements of text (key words in the text; reader/character/author feelings; ideas in the text; sensory images and symbols for abstract ideas; and style of writing) using a web format. The Literature Web and an example are available for download.
The Hamburger Model for Persuasive Writing: Students use a sandwich metaphor to construct a persuasive writing essay. The model has three levels of complexity, allowing for more elaboration in student writing. A primary and secondary version are available for download.
Vocabulary Web: Students explore words in depth (definition, synonyms, antonyms, and etymological information) using a web format. The Vocabulary Web and an example are available for download.
Paul's (1992) Elements of Reasoning: Students use a critical thinking model encompassing eight elements: issue, purpose, point of view, assumptions, concepts, evidence, inferences, and implications or consequences. The Elements of Reasoning model is available for download.
Paul, R. (1992). Critical thinking: What every person needs to survive in a rapidly changing world.Rohnert Park, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.
(A description of the elements of reasoning are also found at:
Analyzing Primary Sources: Students critically examine historical documents by using a set of questions that guide the student to evaluate and interpret the source. The model and a simpler language version of the model are available for download.
Research Model: Students explore an issue of significance through the use of questions. The model is available for download.
Frequently Asked Questions about the use of the curriculum in homeschool environments are available.
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A complete listing of curricular materials in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies is provided. In addition, several guides are listed. These include, A Guide to Teaching Research Skills and Strategies, Parent Handbook: A Guide to Your Gifted Child’s Emotional and Academic Success, The Practitioner’s Guide to Exemplary School Change, and William and Mary Teaching Model laminated cards.
Language Arts
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A description of the goals of the Language Arts units and the alignment of the Language Arts curriculum to the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM) is provided. The materials in the curriculum include Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension program, literature units, and Navigator Novel Study to accompany literary works.
Navigatorsare available for grades 1 through 12 online (30 titles) and for purchase through The Center for Gifted Education. Navigators include questions and activities suitable for group and independent study. The six (free) online Navigators encompass grades 2 through 11 and include a link for the teacher’s guide at no charge.
The nine literature units span grade 1 through 12 and available for purchase from Kendall/Hunt Publishing ( The units are: Beyond Words (grades 1-2), Journeys and Destinations (grades 2-3), Literary Reflections (grades 4-5), Patterns of Change (grades 4-6), Autobiographies (grades 5-6), Persuasion (grades 5-7), The 1940s: A Decade of Change (grades 6-10), Utopia (grades 7-9), and Threads of Change in 19th Century American Literature (grades 7-11). These units encompass 40-50 hours of instructional time.
Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension program supports the language arts units and is suitable for grades 3 through 5. Critical thinking skills include: sequencing, cause an effect, consequences and implications, details, classification, generalization, elements, inference, and theme/concept. These are based on Paul’s (1992) Elements of Reasoning model, one of the six teaching models. Links are also provided for online dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauri.
Mathematics
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Links to and brief descriptions of mathematics materials, competitions, and games as well as Internet resources, are provided. These links are suitable for teachers and students. A materials description and order form are also available for download.
Two units, Beyond Base Ten (grades 3 through 6) and Spatial Reasoning (grades 2 through 4 and grades 6 through 8) are available for purchase from Prufrock Press (
Two print materials are available for free download, Resource Guide to Mathematics Curriculum for High Ability Learners in Grades K-8 that establishes criteria for judging new materials and Math Curriculum Extensions: Using the Web that briefly describes a rationale for using web resources.
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Competitions, including American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), MATHCOUNTS, Mathematics Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools.
Games, including Krypto and GEMS Math Around the World.
Resources, including Eisenhower National Clearing House for Math and Science, Mega Math, K-12 Resources for Mathematics Education, Bob Wilcox’s Mathematics Page, Directory of Mathematics Links, Directory of Mathematics Resources, Math Forum, and Linda Sheffield’s Web Pages.
Science
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Science material and unit descriptions, questions and answers about using the science curriculum and Internet resources are available.
Brief descriptions of 8 science units, suitable for various grades, K through 8, and the Guide to Teaching a Problem-Based Science Curriculum for High-Ability Learners are provided. These units and guide are available from Kendall/Hunt Publishing ( The units contain simulations of real-world problems. Students design and conduct experiments. Skills include data-handling, analyzing information, evaluating results, and communicating their understanding. The units are: Where’s the Beach? (grades 1-3); What a Find! (grades 2-4); Acid, Acid Everywhere (grades 4-6); Electricity City (grades 4-6); Nuclear Energy: Friend or Foe? (grades 6-8); No Quick Fix (grades 6-8); Something Fishy (grades 6-8);and Animal Populations (grades 6-8).
In addition, there are 8 units suitable for K through 3 from Prufrock Press ( These units emphasize change and systems. Students investigate, observe, measure, analyze, and present. The units are: Survive and Thrive (grades K-1), How the Sun Makes Our Day (grades K-1), Water Works (grades K-1), Budding Botanists (grades 1-2), The Weather Reporter (grade 2), What’s the Matter (grades 2-3), Dig It! (grade 3),and Invitation to Invent (grade 3).
Questions and answers about using the science curriculum: This section describes how the units were developed, reasons for emphasizing problem-based learning and the concept of systems, suitability of the units for all students, time frame for teaching, and availability of professional development.
Links: A variety of Internet resources are provided including FOSS science curriculum; Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education; Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley; and the National Science Resource Center.
Social Studies
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Social studies materials, questions and answers about the social studies curriculum, and Internet resources are available.
Brief descriptions of 5 American history units, an American government unit, 2 units on ancient cultures, and a European history unit suitable for various grades, 2 through 10, are included. These units are available from Kendall/Hunt Publishing ( Students analyze primary sources, discuss, write, and research through interdisciplinary activities and projects. The units are: Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile (grades 2-3), Ancient China: The Middle Kingdom (grades 2-3), Building a New System: Colonial America 1607-1763 (grades 4-5), The World Turned Upside Down: The American Revolution (grades 4-5), A House Divided?: The Civil War, Its Causes and Effects (grades 5-6), The 1920 in America: A Decade of Tensions (grades 6-7), The 1930s in America: Facing Depression (grades 6-7), The Road to the White House: Electing the American President (grades 6-8), and The Renaissance and Reformation in Europe (grades 9-10).
Questions and answers about the social studies curriculum: This section describes how the units were developed, reasons for emphasizing systems and cause and effect, suitability of the units for all students, time frame for teaching, and availability of professional development.
Links: A variety of Internet resources are provided including Digital History, National Archives Digital Classroom, Best of History Web Sites, EDSITEment, USAToday Snapshots, and Social Studies Sources for Teachers.
* The contents of this overview summarizes the narratives on each web page.1