With many families at home and perhaps suddenly homeschooling in light of the coronavirus, the Davidson Institute team put together a number of resources. Below, we have:
Comparison Charts for Online Classes: Use the following charts from the Davidson Gifted Database to explore different online academic programs that have been popular amongst other gifted students. Some programs have specific start and end dates; some of these “set” courses, though, have classes starting several times throughout the year. Additionally, there are some programs that have open enrollment.
Find Your Next Book: We know that many profoundly gifted children are avid readers, and now they have lots more time to read. Use the book lists below to find recommendations on what they could read next. You might check to see if you can rent ebooks through your local library for free, and services like Audible can deliver audiobooks to you instantly.
Magazines are another way to get new reading material into your house. Here are a few of our favorites:
Podcasts are one easy way to engage children in interesting topics whenever you need a moment. They can also spark good conversation around the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table.
YouTube Channels & Educational Video Sites: Beyond podcasts, educational video sites--including YouTube channels--can instantly deliver content to your children in engaging ways. Below are a few
There are also several companies that offer Massive Open Online Classes (MOOCs) such as edX and Coursera.
Inspiration for Projects: Projects can be a great way to fill an afternoon or several days. You can dive deeper into an area you already love, explore something new, or hone a skill. Here are a few places to spark your child’s next project idea:
Subscription Boxes: One of the issues with projects right now, though, is that you might need supplies you don’t have on hand. The solution? Subscription boxes! These boxes often contain everything you need to get your student started on projects on all different topics. Getting a special gift in the mail can also build more excitement around the project at hand. The best part? Most of these are designed for students to do independently.
We know that some of these can be expensive. Instead, you might consider making your own surprise project box. Check out some tips on how to do so in “How to Make Your Own Learning Experiences with Adventure Boxes.” If you feel like you’re strapped for supplies, think outside of the box: What about a box where your children are encouraged to make musical instruments out of items from the recycle bin? Or what about a box where children have to make funny poems by cutting out words from an old newspaper or junk mail that accumulated over the last week? Or, what about a simple envelope with a “secret mission” for the day--maybe building a “spy” training obstacle course in the backyard?
Other Organizations’ Lists of Recommendations: There are many other organizations out there pulling together resources to support you in these extraordinary times. Below are a few we’ve seen pop up:
The appearance of any information in the Davidson Institute's Database does not imply an endorsement by, or any affiliation with, the Davidson Institute. All information presented is for informational purposes only and is solely the opinion of and the responsibility of the author. Although reasonable effort is made to present accurate information, the Davidson Institute makes no guarantees of any kind, including as to accuracy or completeness. Use of such information is at the sole risk of the reader.