Challenging Common Core Language Arts Lessons

The Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary, a research and development center, was established in 1988 under the direction of Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska. The center provides services to educators, policy makers, graduate students, researchers, parents, and students in support of the needs of gifted and talented individuals. Located in Williamsburg, VA, the center has established a national reputation for excellence in research, curriculum development, and service. Several major grants, including funding from the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, have provided significant support for the work of the Center.Molly Bryan Talbot is a special education teacher of third- and fourth-grade gifted students at Zachary Elementary School in the Zachary Community School District in Louisiana...

• INTRODUCTION 1 Unit I: Choices Lesson 1.1: What Do You Think While Reading? Lesson 1.2: Characters Make Choices Too Lesson 1.3: Learn About Lincoln Lesson 1.4: Central Choices Unit I: Culminating Essay Prompt Unit II: Culture Lesson 2.1: Cultural Traditions? Lesson 2.2: Are We All the Same? Lesson 2.3: What Cultural Traditions Can Tell Us Lesson 2.4: Cultures of the Past Lesson 2.5: Can Cultures Change a Person? Unit II: Culminating Essay Prompt Unit III: Beliefs Lesson 3.1: Belief in the Unknown Lesson 3.2: Shoot for the Moon Lesson 3.3: Believe in Yourself Lesson 3.4: People Hold Beliefs Unit III: Culminating Essay Prompt Unit IV: Perseverance Lesson 4.1: The Importance of Perseverance Lesson 4.2: The Power of Perseverance Lesson 4.3: Perseverance for a Cause Lesson 4.4: Perseverance by Children 17 Lesson 4.5: Flying High With Perseverance Unit IV: Culminating Essay Prompt ANSWER KEY REFERENCES ABOUT THE AUTHOR COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT