ABSTRACT
Finding Freedom is designed specifically with gifted and high-achieving middle and early high school learners in mind. These concept-based lessons are accelerated beyond typical grade-level standards and include advanced models and organizers to help students analyze a variety of texts. Students synthesize their learning by comparing speeches to each other, relating texts to contemporary issues of today, and making interdisciplinary connections. The unit incorporates the key pedagogical shifts highlighted as part of the Common Core State Standards. When differentiating for the gifted, it is important for the materials and readings to be at a level commensurate with the student's ability. Several choice-based differentiated products are also part of each lesson. The formative assessment section focuses on assessing a students understanding of a single-faceted objective, such as making inferences or determining how an author crafted an argument. Gifted students are a heterogeneous group and their ability levels, pace of learning, interests, and depth of understanding vary.
