Teacher Resources
Teach Like a Champion: The Gifted Connection
Extended Learning Opportunities
Working with people my age with similar interests is a rare treat
and makes me feel like I can be myself.
Middle School Student
"Enrichment is a term that describes learning that goes beyond the general curriculum." (Loudoun Public Schools) Enrichment activities could fall under techniques 12 and 27, The Hook and Vegas. This might include baking cookies together when studying fractions or learning a song and dance from a country the class is studying. "Extension generally refers to extending learning to other content areas, and going beyond the required curriculum." (Loudoun Public Schools) Extensions are more often classroom-based research or projects that allow students to apply a variety of skills to a variety of content areas or subjects. Extended Learning Opportunities are more often community collaborations, where study goes on outside of the school or classroom. Extensions and extended learning opportunities are provided for students who have mastered a unit or concept, and learn quickly. They allow for further study of a topic and exploration of student interests. "More work or harder problems are not examples of enrichment and extension. Rather, students may work with the teacher to extend learning across content areas (math and art) or to design a project related to the topic of study (science/media/communication)." (Loudoun Public Schools)
Extended learning opportunities refers to such Tier II and Tier III instruction as independent studies, mentorships, internships, project and problem-based real world learning opportunities. These learning experiences require students to create and take responsibility for their learning. Keep in mind that students will need support, scaffolding, and guidance in how to work independently and interact with the community prior to engaging in these experiences. Extended learning opportunities are an advanced version of Technique 3: Stretch It. While the technique refers to questioning, extended learning opportunities go beyond questioning to include relevant, real life application of skills and concepts that can "extend knowledge and test for reliability." (Lemov, pg. 41)
Technique 7: Ratio
Extended learning pushes most of the cognitive work and responsibility out to the student. The student becomes the leader and the teacher becomes a facilitator of learning. From an early age gifted and advanced students can be taught independent study skills as part of their differentiated instruction. As skills are mastered, students will become responsible, autonomous learners. This type of learning requires a change in the teacher's role from the "sage on the stage to the guide from the side."
Technique 46: The J-Factor
This technique asks teachers to consider what puts joy into their work, and to transfer that kind of joy through games, drama, song, dance, humor, suspense and surprise to their students. In gifted education the joy of learning and working at learning comes from the pursuance of passions and interests. Part of building a strong classroom culture is to know your students' strengths and interests; teach to them and allow students to learn from them. This is managed through differentiated instruction that allows students to meet objectives and goals by relating them to the interests and passions that bring the J-factor to life. One way to accomplish this is through extended learning opportunities.
Lemov, Doug. Teach Like a Champion. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Print.
"Enrichment, Extension and Multilevel Instruction."Loudoun County Public Schools. Loudoun County
Public Schools, 2012.Web. 28 Aug.
Advanced Academic Services Department