Support for Gifted Learners at Home During COVID-19

Guiding Principles to Support Gifted Learners at Home

Support social-emotional needs:

High sensitivity is a common characteristic in gifted students which may be increasing anxiety and depression during this time.

Differentiate content, process, and product when possible, offer:

• ways to demonstrate knowledge/skill (e.g. pretest),

• alternative assignments when that knowledge/skill is demonstrated,

• faster pacing, and

• opportunities to use creativity and critical/higher order thinking skills.

Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs)

Educators should assist in meeting the goals of gifted learners while learning from home.  Districts may determine a process for measuring and closing out goals for this year’s ALPs.  As a result of the suspension of in-person learning, goals may need to be extended or measured in a different manner than originally indicated. 

Additional guidance will be provided specific to the development of ALPs in the fall.

Resources for Families

• Edward R. Amend, Psy.D.:  Coping With the Stress of COVID-19: Tips for Families with Gifted Children - Video
• Audio Stories: Free Audible Stories
• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):  
  • COVID Resources - Web Page
  • CASEL CARES: So Now What? Supporting SEL at Home - Video
    • CASEL CARES: So Now What? Supporting SEL at Home - Webinar Slides
• Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented: COVID-19 Resources
• Free Code Camp: Here are 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free
• Gifted Challenges: Five Essential Guidelines for Helping your Child During this Global Crisis
• Gifted Guru: Learning at Home Resources: Ideas for Teachers and Parents
• Mensa for Kids: At-home Learning Resources for Kids
• NASA: STEM at home
• National Association of Gifted Children:
  • Resources for Educators & Parents During COVID-19 NAGC - Web Page
  • “Supporting Your Gifted Child During COVID-19" - Tip Sheet
• Summit Center Creative Activities for Kids, Parents, & Teachers, free online classes via ZOOM

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Resources for Teachers

• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):  COVID Resources
• Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented:  COVID-19 Resources
• EdSurge
  • Teacher, Interrupted: Leaning into Social-Emotional Learning Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
  • Teachers Are Anxious and Overwhelmed. They Need SEL Now More Than Ever
• Gifted Guru:  Learning at Home Resources: Ideas for Teachers and Parents
• The Imagine Project:  Giving Kids a Voice for Positive Change  (includes lesson plans)
• National Association of Gifted Children:  Resources for Educators & Parents During COVID-19

Academic Challenge

• Anneberg Learner:  Free K-12 Educational Resources (online and for noncommercial broadcasting)
• Free Code Camp:  Here are 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free
• NASA:  STEM at home
• Ted-Ed:  TedEd for Educators (For example: Create Customized Lessons for Your Students)

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Resources for Twice-Exceptional Learners

• 2e News:  
  • “How 2e Schools Have Transitioned to Online Learning”
  • Resources for 2e Families & Teachers During Pandemic
• CDE Special Education:  COVID and Special Education
• Edward R. Amend, Psy.D.:  Coping With the Stress of COVID-19: Tips for Families with Gifted Children - Video
• With Understanding Comes Calm, LLC:  How to talk to your kids about the Coronavirus to lower anxiety and increase empowermen - Video

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