NAGC works to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research
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NAGC works to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research
The December 2022 issue of Parenting for High Potential is available now for members
The following units have received recognition as exemplary curriculum in gifted education. These have met the standards of rigorous criteria according to the Curriculum Studies Network Curriculum Award Rubric, including showing evidence of student growth.
These curricula are “evidence-supported” curricula, field-tested with gifted students. Please contact the associated universities for information on the curricula that are “research-based.” Research-based curriculum includes more rigorous research designs, larger samples of students, a systematic approach to collecting student data, and documented evidence of statistically significant results. Learn more about winning curriculum from previous years and where to find them.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002* | 2001* | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|
Title (Grades) |
Content |
Authors |
Access to Curriculum Information |
2022 |
|||
| Invaluable Invertebrates and Species with Spines (Grades PreK-3rd) | Science | Jason McIntosh | |
2021 |
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|
Erase the Waste (Grades 4-8) |
Jason McIntosh | ||
2020 |
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| Astronaut Academy (PK-3) | Science | Jason McIntosh | |
| Observing and Creating Like Scientists and Artists (PK-3) | Interdisciplinary |
Leighann Pennington, Alicen Brown, Kerrigan Mahoney, Jane Patrick, Catherine Brighton, Tonya Moon |
|
| Empowered Leaders: A
Student-Centered Curriculum for Developing Globally Conscious Thought, Empathetic Discourse and Sustainable Problem-Solving Skills (4-8) |
Interdisciplinary | Bryan Kirby, Jessica Stargardter | |
2019 |
|||
|
Pity or Empower: A Problem Investigating the Connection between Language, Education Equality, and Global Citizenship (Grades 4-8) |
ELA |
Dana Plowden, Rebecca Brusseau, with contributions from Dr. Shelagh Gallagher |
Dana Plowden |
|
Interactions in Ecology and Literature: Integrated Science and ELA Lessons for Gifted and Advanced Learners in Grades 2-3 (Grades PK-3) |
Science and ELA | Tamra Stambaugh, Eric Fecht, and Emily Mofield |
Vanderbilt PTY Unit |
|
Once Upon a Time: A Summer Curriculum Unit for Literature and Talent Development (Grades PK-3) |
ELA |
Tonya Moon, Vicki Hobson, Mindy Moran, Christine Carr, H. Michelle Kreamer, Keerigan Mahoney, Catherine Brighton, Kateri Gajadhar-Smith |
Tonya Moon University of Virginia |
|
I.O.U. Shakespeare (Grade 4-8) |
ELA | Tan Kum Chee, Btw Mawar Malyanah, Jason Yan | Tan Kum Chee |
|
Microscopic Monsters and the Scientists Who Slay Them (Grades 4-8) |
Science | Jason McIntosh | Jason McIntosh |
2018 |
|||
|
Project Kaleidoscope: A Summer Curriculum Unit for Talent Development (Pre K-3 Heterogeneous Classroom) |
Science |
Christine Carr, Barbara Wheatley, Kerrigan Mahoney, Tonya Moon, Catherine Brighton, Helen Michelle Kreamer, Victoria Hobson, and Andrew McCartney |
University of Virginia |
|
Not for Sale: A Problem about Gentrification, Soccer, and Building Community (4-8) |
ELA-Literacy/PBL |
Dana Plowden, Rebecca Brusseau, and Shelagh Gallagher |
|
|
Dinosaurs to Drones: Investigating the Connections between Change Over Time and Grit (4-8) |
Interdisciplinary |
Jason McIntosh |
|
2017 |
|||
|
The Great Debates: A Problem about How Television Changed the Landscape of the 1960 Presidential Election (6-8)
|
Social Studies/ELA PBL |
Dana Plowden, Sara Townsend, and Shelagh Gallagher |
|
|
The Penguin Predicament
|
Science PBL |
Laura Shantz and Shelagh Gallagher |
|
|
Space, Story, and Structure: An Integrated ELA and Science unit for Gifted and Advanced Learners in Grades 4-6
|
ELA-Literacy and Science |
Tamra Stambaugh and Emily Mofield |
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth |
|
Greening Up With Graphing: Recycle, Reduce, & Reuse (Elementary)
|
Math |
Rubenstein, L. D., Cole, S., Heilbronner, N., Gubbins, E. J., Savino, J., McAnallen, R., Corbishley, J., O’Brien, A. Case, T., & McMillen,& K. S. |
University of Connecticut
|
|
Perspectives: Turning Mirrors into Windows |
ELA-Literacy |
Katie Isch |
Indiana Dept. of Education Curriculum |
|
|
Interdisciplinary |
Jason McIntosh |
|
|
Honor through the Ages |
ELA-Literacy |
Monica Plantan |
Indiana Dept. of Education Curriculum |
|
The Raffles Program: Year 2 English Biographical Writing
|
ELA-Literacy |
Kum Chee Tham |
|
2016 |
|||
|
Quests and Quandaries: Exploring Intellectual interests in Depth (4-8) |
ELA- Literacy |
Jason McIntosh |
|
|
Geometry and Measurement for All Shapes and Sizes (PK-3) |
Math |
Shelbi Cole, Nancy Heilbronner, E. Jean Gubbins, Jeffrey Corbishley, Jennifer Savino, and Rachel McAnallen |
University of Connecticut
|
|
Fit to Print: A Problem about Yellow Journalism and the Road to War with Spain (4-8) |
Social Studies PBL |
Shelagh Gallagher, |
|
|
I, You, Me, We: Individuality vs. Conformity: ELA Lessons for Gifted and Advanced Learners (6-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Emily Mofield and Tamra Stambaugh |
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth |
|
Aristotle's Rhetoric: Rhetoric- Language Arts Unit for Gifted Students in Grade 5 |
ELA - Literacy |
Tracy Missett, Amy Azano, and Carolyn Callahan |
University of Virginia |
|
Math |
Shelbi Cole, Nancy Heilbronner, E. Jean Gubbins, Jeffrey Corbishley, Jennifer Savino, and Rachel McAnallen |
University of Connecticut |
|
2015 |
|
|
|
|
The Pursuit of Justice (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Mary Ann Yedinak and Kimberly Chandler |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
|
It's Electrifying: An Exploration in Water-based Alternative Energy (4-8) |
Science |
Carol Horn, Shelagh Gallagher, and Dana Plowden |
|
|
Perspectives of Power: ELA Lessons for Gifted and Advanced Learners (6-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Emily Mofield and Tamra Stambaugh |
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth |
|
Moving Through Dimensions: A Math Unit for High Ability Learners (6-8) |
Math |
Dana Johnson and Kimberly Chandler |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
2014 |
|||
|
The Case of the Tomato Plants: Exploring Photosynthesis and Respiration Cycles (4-8) |
Science |
Nicole Cruz and Tamra Stambaugh |
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth |
2013 |
|||
|
Calorie Quest: The Bear Unit (K-3) |
Science |
Tonya Moon |
University of Virginia |
|
Ferret it Out: A Problem about Endangered Species and Animal Ecosystems (4-8) |
Science |
Shelagh Gallagher and |
|
2012 |
|||
|
Exploring Shapes in Space: Geometry and the Frogonauts (PK-3) |
Math |
Katherine Gavin, Tutita Casa, Suzanne Chapin, and Linda Jensen Sheffield |
Project M2- University of Connecticut |
|
Utopia: A Language Arts Unit for High Ability Students (7-9) |
ELA - Literacy |
Mary Ann Yedinak |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
|
A Freudian Analysis of Literature (4-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Kenneth Smith |
|
|
ELA - Literacy |
Tamra Stambaugh and Emily Mofield |
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth |
|
|
The Magic of Everyday Things (K-3) |
ELA - Literacy |
Tracy Missett, Carolyn Callahan, Amy Azano, Sarah Oh, and Marguerite Brunner |
University of Virginia |
|
Circus: An Integrated Curriculum Unit (PK-3) |
Science |
Ellen Honeck and |
Ellen Honeck |
|
Hull House: Living Democracy in the Progressive Era (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Anne Horak, Shelagh Gallagher, and Dana Plowden |
|
2011 |
|||
|
Order in the Court (6-8) |
Social Studies |
Darcy Blauvelt and |
|
|
U. S. Healthier Schools Challenge (PK-3) |
Science |
U. S. Healthier Schools Challenge (PK-3) |
|
|
Mathematics in the Marketplace (6-8) |
Math |
Richard Cote and Darcy Blauvelt |
|
|
Planning for the Future of the Going Big Skate Park (K-2) |
Math |
Tonya Moon, Catherine Brighton, Christine Trinter, Peter Malcolm, Kristen Whitlock, Kristofor Wiley, Emily Tombes, and Eileen Merritt |
University of Virginia |
|
Exploring Shape Games: Geometry with Imi & Zani (K-2) |
Math |
Kathy Gavin, Tutita Casa, Suzanne Chapin, and Linda Jenson Sheffield |
Project M2- University of Connecticut |
|
Spatial Reasoning (K-2) |
Math |
Jill Adelson and Dana Johnson |
|
2010 |
|||
|
Let’s Plan a Party (2-4) |
Math |
Christine Trinter, Catherine Brighton, Tonya Moon, Kristen Whitlock, Daniel Tillman, Monty Jones, and Lisa Foster |
University of Virginia |
|
Designing a Shape Gallery: Geometry for Meerkats (PK-3) |
Math |
Kathy Gavin, Tutita Casa, Suzanne Chapin, Juanita Copley, Linda Sheffield, and Janine Firmender |
Project M2, University of Connecticut |
|
Pay it Forward (PK-3) |
Math |
Christine Trinter, Catherine Brighton, Tonya Moon, Kateri Thunder, Kristofer Wiley, Kristen Whitlock, and Peter Malcolm |
University of Virginia
|
|
Food for Thought (4-8) |
Science |
Anne Horak, Dana Plowden, Reagan Hanson, and Shelagh Gallagher |
|
|
What’s the Matter: A Physical Science Unit for High Ability Learners in Grades 2-3 |
Science |
Ellen Fithian, Tamra Stambaugh, and Peggy Jacquot |
|
2009 |
|||
|
Water Works (PK-3) |
Science |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William & Mary |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
|
Ecopolis (4-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Richard Cote and |
|
|
What’s Your Opinion (4-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Further Steps Project: |
|
|
Math |
Kathy Gavin, Judith Dailey, Suzanne Chapin, and Linda Jensen Sheffield |
Project M3, University of Connecticut |
|
2008 |
|||
|
Budding Botanists at Work: A Life Science Unit (1-2) |
Science |
Cindy Holub, Joyce Van Tassel-Baska, Bruce Bracken, Tamra Stambaugh, Janice Robbins, and |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
|
Record Makers and Breakers: Using Algebra to Analyze Change (5) |
Math |
Katherine Gavin, |
Project M3: University of Connecticut |
2007 |
|||
|
Building a New System: Colonial America (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Kim Chandler |
College of William and Mary |
|
Experience Poetry (4-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Leighann Pennington |
|
|
Math |
Katherine Gavin, Suzanne Chapin, Judith Daily, Linda Jensen Sheffield, Tutita Casa, Jill Adelsen, and Ann Marie Spinelli |
Project M3, University of Connecticut |
|
2006 |
|||
|
Memories in the Shadow of the Arch (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Karen Giesler |
|
|
Electricity City (4-8) |
Science |
Center for Gifted Education |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
|
At the Mall with Algebra: Working with Variables and Equations (4-8) |
Math |
Katherine Gavin, Linda Jensen Sheffield, Judith Davis, Tutita Casa, Jill Adelson, and Ann Marie Spinelli |
Project M3, University of Connecticut |
2005 |
|||
|
What's the ME in Measurement All About? (K-3) |
Math |
Katherine Gavin, Linda Jensen Sheffield, Suzanne Chapin, Judith Dailey, Tutita Casa, Eric Mann, and Anne Marie Spinelli |
Project M3, University of Connecticut |
|
A House Divided? The Civil War: Its Causes and Effects Grades 5-6 |
Social Studies |
Kimberly Chandler, Carrie Beth Adams, Molly Sandling, Catherine Little, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, and Linda Avery |
Center for Gifted Education, College of William and Mary |
|
The Desert: The World’s Biggest Sandbox (K-3) |
Science |
Jennifer Beasley |
|
|
Balanced Diet - Balanced Life (4-8) |
Science |
Sue Zupko |
|
|
Poetry in Motion: Dances of Life (K-3) |
ELA - Literacy |
Bernie Mossotti |
|
|
A Yearlong Exploration of Universality (K-3) |
ELA - Literacy |
Mary Clark, Lucy Pfirman, Beverly Given, and Tonie Proto |
|
|
In the Muck: A Study and Practice of Investigative Journalism (4-8) |
ELA - Literacy |
Jessica Hockett |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
Concepts of Balance in Literature: The Tale of Peter Rabbit (PK-3)
|
ELA-Literacy |
Hedy Droski and Mary Boegner |
|
|
Ethnology of Communities (K-3) |
Social Studies |
Christine Kujawa Jones |
|
|
Paleontology: Putting the Puzzle Together (1-3)
|
Science |
Cindy Sheets |
|
|
Ancient China: The Middle Kingdom (2-3) |
Social Studies |
Catherine Little, Joyce Van Tassel-Baska, and Linda Avery |
Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary |
|
Science |
Melinda Beaumont, Mary Bunkers, Gay Carlson, Ellen Honeck, and Shannon Jones |
Ricks Center for Gifted Education University of Denver |
|
2003 |
|||
|
Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile (PK-3) |
Social Studies |
Catherine Little, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, Linda Avery, and Gail McEachron |
Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary |
|
Viewpoints (4-8) |
|
Debbie Keiser |
|
|
Quest for Knowledge (4-8) |
Interdisciplinary |
Phillippe Ann Lipscomb and Judith Hurwitz |
|
|
Medieval Mania (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Lauren Wilhelm |
|
|
Social Justice (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Elizabeth de Brux |
|
|
Social Studies |
Wendy Conklin |
|
|
2002 |
|||
| Powers (4-8) | ELA-Literacy | Triska Keiser | |
| Inventing Minds (4-8) | Science | Melissa Kashey | |
| Lasers in Use (PK-3) | Science | Karen Giesler | |
| Expanding Our Horizons: Investigating Music and Measurement (PK-3) | Math | Nancy Hertzog, Marjorie Klein, and Elizabeth Slifer | |
| Faces (PK-3) | ELA-Literacy | Brenda McGee | |
| 1920s in America: A System of Tensions (4-8) | Social Studies | Molly Sandling, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, Linda Avery, Catherine Little, Gail McEachron, and Lisa Schenkel | https://www.amazon.com/1920S-AMERICA-DECADE-TENSIONS/dp/078729344X |
2001 |
|||
|
Investigating Our Surroundings (PK-3) |
Science/ Interdisciplinary |
Nancy Hertzog, Marjorie Klein |
|
|
Beyond Words:Imagery in Literture (PK-3) |
ELA-Literacy |
Catherine Little, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, Dana Johnson, Linda Boyce, and Jane Bailey |
https://k12.kendallhunt.com/content/20603/prog-feature |
| Building Geography: It's More than Maps (4-8) | Social Studies |
Jill Horak |
|
| The Concept of Change in Literature: Catwings and Catwings Return (PK-3) | ELA-Literacy | Jeanne Paynter, Hedwig Droski, Kathleen Epple, Nancy Miles, and Denise Winkler | |
| Nifty-Fifty (4-8) | Math | Judith Hurwitz | |
| Living and Learning with Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities (4-8) | Interdisciplinary | Cindy Strickland | |
| Espionaology: A Multiple Menu Model (4-8) | Social Studies | Ann Murdock | |
2000 |
|||
|
Archeology (PK-3) |
Science/Social Studies |
Stephanie Zenker, Carmela Kuper, Carole McKee, Donna Muth, Bonnie Kunel and George Brauer |
|
|
Greek Mythology (PK-3) |
ELA-Literacy |
Jane Cooke, Patricia Schultz, and Barbara O’Neill |
|
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Keeping the Memory Alive (PK-3) |
|
Donna Nesbitt, Gloria Jones, Connie Foster, and Betty Bell |
|
|
Discovering History (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Andi Stix, Frank Hrbeck |
|
|
Literary Reflections (4-5) |
ELA-Literacy |
Catherine Little and Joyce VanTassel-Baska |
Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary |
|
|
Shelagh Gallagher |
|
|
1999 |
|||
|
Think and Talk (PK-3) |
ELA-Literacy |
Kaye Kraus, Donna Morrison, Joyce Armstrong and Katheryn Shannon |
|
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Riding the Economic Railway (PK-3) |
Social Studies |
Melody Key and Debbie Bull |
|
|
Anne of Green Gables (4-8) |
ELA-Literacy |
Dana Hyrkas and Anne Robinson |
|
|
Who is America? (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Sally Simon |
|
|
Across the Generations (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Christina Briggs and Carol Williams |
Christina Briggs |
|
In-depth Inquiries into the Natural Environment (PK-3) |
Science |
Nancy Hertzog, Marjorie Klein, and Joyln Blank |
|
|
What a Find: Analyzing Natural and Cultural Systems (2-4) |
Science |
Joyce VanTassel-Baska |
Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary
|
|
Wallet Wisdom and Free Enterprise (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Jo Vanderspiken |
|
|
Food for Thought (4-8) |
|
Gloria Jones, Donna Nesbitt, Betty Bell, Connie Foster, and Nancy Kramer |
|
|
|
Kay Brimijoinm and Cynthia Kelly |
|
|
1998 |
|||
|
Journeys and Destinations (2-3) |
ELA-Literacy |
Catherine Little and Joyce VanTassel-Baska |
Center for Gifted Education William and Mary |
|
Robots are Coming |
|
Chris Nobe |
|
|
Think Like a Sociologist (4-8) |
Social Studies |
Judy Satterwhite, Chris Briggs, Fort Worth ISD, TX |
Christina Briggs |
|
Chemistry Magazine (4-8) |
Science |
Leslie Mirman and Jonathan Plucker |
Jonathan Plucker |
|
Young Inventors (9-12) |
Interdisciplinary |
Jonathan Plucker |
Jonathan Plucker |
|
|
Laura Shapiro and Terry Murray |
|
|
1997 |
|||
|
Differentiated and Integrated Kindergarten Curriculum (K) |
Interdisciplinary |
Shauna Maughm |
|
|
Facilitating Inquiry at University Primary School (PK-3) |
Interdisciplinary |
Marjory Cline and Nancy Hertzog |
|
|
Acid, Acid Everywhere (4-6) |
Science |
Linda Neal Boyce, Sandra Coleman, Victoria Damiani, Shelagh Gallagher, Dana Johnson, Donna Poland, Beverly Sher, and Joyce VanTassel-Baska |
Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary
|
|
Autobiographies: Personal Odysseys of Change (5-6) |
ELA-Literacy |
Claire Hughes and Joyce VanTassel-Baska |
Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary |
|
Lessons on the Lake: An Educator’s Guide to the Pontchartrain Basin (9-12) |
Science |
Mary Banbury, Sharon Flanagan, Michael Green, Sue Ellen Lyons, and Ann Rheams |
|
|
Architectural Visions (9-12) |
|
Fayetteville (Arkansas) Public School |
|
National Association for Gifted Children
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