Gifted Resources

Here is a list of fabulous web resources related to gifted education - great info to be found for both teachers and parents, and often gifted kids themselves:

The National Association for Gifted Children, http://www.nagc.org, which has many resources for educators and parents.Their quarterly magazine Teaching For High Potential is full of useful information.
The Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted http://www.waetag.net, 
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted http://sengifted.org, GREAT for parents.
Northwest Gifted Child association http://www.nwgca.org, also GREAT for parents. (See presentation below)
MENSA https://www.mensa.org, - their Mensa for kids site has great educational games and  excellent reading lists.
The Robinson Center for Young Scholars at the University of Washington https://robinsoncenter.uw.edu, 
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development http://www.davidsongifted.org, 
Hoagie's Gifted Education page http://www.hoagiesgifted.org, TONS of good stuff here!
The William & Mary Center for Gifted Education http://education.wm.edu/centers/cfge/, 
and gifted teacher Ian Byrd's blog, Byrdseed, http://www.byrdseed.com/about/ - my favorite "gifted" blog. 

I also want to mention the website ChallengeSucess.org which does not specifically relate to gifted students, but addresses many educational issues relevant to gifted students. I particularly like their Homework White Paper, which has shaped my own class homework policy: http://www.challengesuccess.org/Portals/0/Docs/ChallengeSuccess-Homework-WhitePaper.pdf

The big take-away from this white paper is: 

• A review of research on homework showed almost no correlation between homework and 
  achievement for elementary school students.
  Source: Cooper, H., Robinson, J. C., & Patall, E. A. (2006). Does homework improve academic achievement? A synthesis of research 1987-2003. Review of Educational Research, 76(1), 1-62

Second, The BEST information on the social/emotional development of gifted children I have ever come across (and what makes me realize a Seabury education is absolutely PRICELESS):

 "What Parents Need To Know About Smart Kids" found under Connections Conference/2014 Presentations on the NWGCA website 
http://www.nwgca.org/2014-presentations.html

I saw a version of this presentation by Austin De Bonte, President of the NW Gifted Child Association at the 2013 WAETAG Conference and was literally in tears as De Bonte talked about how gifted children's perception of "otherness" colors their social experience because of their social maturity mismatch. I finally understood what my child was going through, and what I learned in this presentation still helps me understand so much more about the students in my classroom. This presentation is full of insightful information and positive steps parents can take. 

And finally, a video that addresses "The Top 10 Myths of Giftedness," which I wish I could show to the entire world! These gifted students say it better than I ever could.