You are here

Discovering and Developing Talents in Spanish-Speaking Students
Share
Share

Discovering and Developing Talents in Spanish-Speaking Students



August 2012 | 216 pages | Corwin

¡Atención! Recognize the strengths of Spanish-speaking students!

With the growing population of Hispanic students, it's more important than ever to persevere beyond the language barrier and nurture their gifts and talents. This book provides teachers and leaders with the skills needed to uncover each child's abilities and ultimately boost achievement for gifted Spanish-speaking students. Packed with strategies, suggestions, and materials teachers can use immediately to enhance instruction and assessment, this book shows how to:

  • Recognize students' unique strengths
  • Identify and develop the gifts of bilingualism and different cultures
  • Create challenging learning experiences for every student in the class
  • Adapt tools and strategies to meet each learner's unique needs
  • Connect with parents and the greater Spanish-speaking community

Included are testimonials from teachers and students; examples of communications with and from parents; selected poems from gifted students; and inspirational stories from adults who overcame language challenges to earn college degrees and achieve successful careers. Too often, Spanish-speaking students are overlooked, miscast into special education, or not recognized for their abilities. This book shows you how to uncover the creativity in each one of your students.


 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
1. Changing Landscape of U.S. Schools: A Call to Action
 
2. Bilingualism: A Cognitive Strength
 
3. A Cultural Primer
 
4. Recognizing Talents, Abilities, and Creativity in Your Spanish-Speaking Students
 
5. Identifying Gifted Hispanic Students
 
6. Effective Ways for Teachers to Connect Wth Spanish-Speaking Parents
 
7. Developing the Strengths and Talents of Hispanic ELLs: Strategies for Getting Started
 
8. Program Options for Advanced Hispanic ELLs: Putting Your Strategies to Work
 
Conclusion
 
Appendix
 
Bibliography
 
Index

"This book broadens the scope of gifted education to a large group of students who are often overlooked. Its message fills a gap across the country for gifted educators who want to be more inclusive."

Lori Helman, Associate Professor
University of Minnesota

"The authors provide a practical approach to assisting Spanish-speaking high ability students.  What sets this book apart is that it offers districts best practices for teaching and supporting all students from Spanish-speaking families."  

Lois Rebich, RTI Facilitator
Ross Elementary School, Pittsburgh, PA

"This practical guide suggests that educators look at students' strengths and view their language as a strength instead of a deficit. The authors provide great ways to communicate with parents, and I like the discussion of cultural norms. I would certainly recommend this publication to peers."

Theresa Dewitt, ELL and Bilingual Teacher
Sheboygan Area School District, WI

"ELL and Bilingual teachers, teachers of gifted and talented students, mainstream teachers, and administrators of these programs should all read this book. I have never seen any other book mention gifted and talented Hispanic students. This book will fill the void for a neglected area of under-represented peoples."

Diane Senk, ELL Teacher
Sheboygan Area School District, WI

"While we know that we need bilingual professionals to compete in a global market, we are failing to identify our own bilingual talent in America. This book will help educators, parents, and administrators find and nurture Hispanic-American talented children. I work with Hispanic families and students and I need a resource like this to help me advocate for them."

Lizbeth Alfaro, ESL Teacher
Lyle Creek Elementary, Conover, NC

Discovering and Developing Talents in Spanish-Speaking Students is long overdue and should be read by aspiring educators, current educators, school leaders and education policy makers. The authors have crafted an extensively well sourced piece of scholarship that references important research from an array of fields related to the education of gifted new learners of English. They provide critical information about why America needs to identify and nurture this pool of talent. In addition, the work is well organized, accessible and includes numerous practical examples and strategies for working with students and their families. The content has application across school subjects, grades and students.

Al Ramirez, Professor, Department of Leadership, Research and Foundations
University of Colorado

Select a Purchasing Option


Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781452283593

Paperback
ISBN: 9781412996365
$41.95