Intelligent Life in the Classroom: Smart Kids and Their Teachers

by Karen L. J. Isaacson, Tamara J. Fisher

Overview

Multiple Award-Winner! This little gem of a book for teachers will provide lots of laughs, as well as many insights into the nature, quirks, and vulnerabilities of gifted, talented, creative kids. Each chapter focuses on one of the common traits of gifted children—for example, sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, perfectionism, sense of humor, and more. It includes information about teacher traits that are helpful in order to successfully educate gifted children. New gifted teachers, as well as seasoned ones, and coordinators of gifted programs will want to read this book for fresh insight into how gifted children behave in the classroom. Some professors use this book as a supplemental text in their courses in gifted education.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013106611
Publisher:	Great Potential Press, Inc.
Publication date:	08/05/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	814 KB

About the Author

Karen Isaacson is the mother of five weird and wonderful gifted children. She grew up surrounded by siblings and relatives who were equally as quirky and has learned through much experience that “different is good.” Karen is the author of the award-winning books Raisin’ Brains: Surviving My Smart Family and Life in the Fast Brain: Keeping Up with Gifted Minds. She has presented her humorous take on parenting gifted children at state and national conferences. She currently lives in southwestern Montana, where she enjoys gardening, antiques, and plenty of laughter. Karen is married to a left-brained perfectionist-in-denial who is supportive of every creative activity she chooses to pursue. You can learn more about Karen at www.kisaacson.com.

Tamara Fisher is the K-12 gifted education specialist for a school district located on an Indian reservation in northwestern Montana. Tamara made her first mark on the world of gifted education as an undergraduate when she co-created a volunteer mentor program matching gifted college students with gifted youth—a program that still exists today. She serves as the Northwest Regional Representative on the Executive Board of Montana AGATE (Association of Gifted and Talented Education). Tamara earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Montana State University–Bozeman and her M.A. in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut. She has presented at many local, state, and national gifted education conferences. Her hobbies include building houses, drawing, hiking, four-wheeling, and spending time with family and friends.

Editorial Reviews

Rarely do I find an academic book that is a page-turner, but this one surely is! Karen and Tamara have addressed the identifying characteristics of gifted children through anecdotes that make the children come alive. At the same time, they provide excellent information for teachers on how to recognize salient characteristics and address gifted children's needs. This book is immensely readable but addresses the issues in an intellectually honest way. I know that my graduate students will love it!

Dr. Bonnie Cramond

Karen and Tamara offer numerous examples of identifying and coping with the unique mindset of the gifted child. These real-life stories illustrate how the best-laid lesson plans can be tossed aside and spontaneous activity initiated by bright students. After reading this book, I wondered, how can we clone these two women? We need more like them. Parents, teachers, and counselors will find inspiration for improvements at all classroom levels in this well-crafted, thoroughly researched book.

Judy Shafter

Isaacson and Fisher have contributed a refreshingly welcome perspective concerning the complexities of smart kids and the teachers who reach them. Their lively writing style, attention to important issues, and use of substantive examples offer the reader a wealth of practical knowledge and strategies for working with gifted youth. Quite simply, an enjoyable, enlightening, must-read for educators and parents.

Marcia Gentry, Ph.D.

Karen and Tamara invite us into a classroom to meet some delightful young people. As they share poignant and comical stories of children and teenagers, we are able to understand and appreciate the intellectual and emotional lives of gifted students. In describing their experiences, they enable us to reflect on how we might improve our own classroom practice. Intelligent Life in the Classroom serves as inspirational reading for all teachers and counselors working with gifted students.

Tom Hebert, Ph.D.

For the rest of the school year, I will use the information in this book to inspire students. I intend to keep it on my desk next year and use the resources, anecdotes, and ideas to create a meaningful learning environment all year long. I intend to ask my students many of the same questions found in the "In Their Own Voice" section. By learning my students' perspectives, I will design a classroom environment conducive to their learning needs. This book has brought that into perspective.

Teachers Choice Awards