Being Smart :: Reviews

Being Smart about Gifted Education, 2nd edition was an Award-Winning Finalist in the Education/Academic category of the National Best Books 2009 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News

Reviews for

Being Smart about Gifted Education, 2nd edition

“Being Smart has become even smarter in its second edition. This is an essential book for anyone interested in gifted education.”

Jim Borland, Columbia University

"Talent is transformed into high performance through a willingness to try, invest time in guided practice, and persist when tasks are difficult. These authors describe ways to do just that."

Frank Worrell, UC-Berkeley

“This is a highly readable and accessible volume about the development of children with gifts and talents. It is practical and theoretical; it is informed by the most recent research; and it is filled with useful information and insights. It is a book that will be valued by all teachers, parents, and counselors who care about fostering the development of gifts and talents in children and adolescents.”

Frances Degen Horowitz, The City University of New York Graduate Center

“This helpful book points out the nuances to teaching and parenting gifted children and the fine line between achievement and underachievement. Rich with examples, it highlights the importance of an optimal match between challenging and engaging school and home experiences and opportunities to develop gifts and talents! A practical, thoughtful contribution by two leading experts!”

Sally Reis, University of Connecticut

“These authors present exciting new work on mindsets, as well as recent research findings on expertise and cognitive neuroscience, that show the importance of habits of mind in cognitive development. This book will prompt people in the gifted child field to reexamine many long-held beliefs!”

Carol Dweck, Stanford University

Published reviews:

Being Smart about Gifted Education, 2nd edition

Belle Wallace, Gifted Education International, volume 26, #1

Two distinguished educators with over 25 years experience have written this second edition for educators and parents. Their loving concern for children’s healthy development runs through each page as they discuss real-life concerns in a practical way that will reach readers. The main message is refreshingly clear:

Gifted provision should ‘reflect upon individual differences, including social, emotional, academic, and developmental. --- [then educators and parents will be enabled to make] the best informed decisions, and they will find new ways to enable children to experience their world fully as an engaging place in which to live, laugh and learn’. (pxviii)

Another major theme is the importance of primarily diagnosing the mismatch between a child’s potential and the provision of appropriately challenging educational experiences, rather than seeking to label a child as ‘gifted’ or ‘not gifted’. This emphasis reflects the beginning of a world shift that underlies the philosophy of creating opportunities for all children to discover and nourish their gifts – whether these are small ‘g’s or big ‘Gs’! The concept of potential developmental ‘giftedness’ is inclusive and the message is clear – create exciting opportunities first and then observe and diagnose learners’ needs. Another emphasis throughout the text is the importance of developing the thinking processes of learning rather than assessing the fixed pre-determined end products.

Importantly, the voices of both children and adults are evident – making the text vibrantly grounded in real-life experience.

I recommend this humane and empowering text to all educators and parents – its message is clear – put the needs and the voice of the child at the centre of educational provision rather than creating a mechanised system into which a child must squeeze! A ‘one size fits all’ kind of educational provision does not allow for continuing individual growth.

I quote some lines from a poem written by Joanne Foster ---

‘They tell I’m gifted --- What does this mean?

Is this something new, or have I always been?

They tell me I’m gifted --- Congratulations!

But I am uncertain about expectations.

They tell me I’m gifted --- I’m lucky, I’m blessed.

But how can they tell from one written test? (p357)

The poem continues to express the uncertainties and personal misgivings experienced by a child labelled ‘gifted’.

I think we all realise that all children have ‘gifts’ – but only life opportunities, personal strengths and appropriate mentorship will allow the gifts to flourish to the fullest potential. As parents and educators our role is that of support and encouragement, without pressure and inappropriate expectations.

Bella Online, Summer, 2009

Reviewed by Lorel Shea, Bella Online's Gifted Education Editor: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62578.asp

"Being Smart About Gifted Education – A Guidebook for Educators and Parents” is an updated version of the 2004 book, “Being Smart About Gifted Children”. The authors, Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster, have rewritten the book to include the most recent research on brain development, recent trends in the education system, and new ways of focusing efforts to meet the needs of gifted learners.

In the preface, the authors state, “There is no single formula for living or working with gifted learners. People who want to support gifted-level development for the children in their lives – that is, to provide them with the best possible guidance, challenges, encouragement, and education- must begin by reflecting upon individual differences, including emotional, social, academic, and developmental. The message is that gifted students should be recognized as having individual strengths and weaknesses, and that parents and educators should address needs in each subject as they arise.

This is a generously sized book, with over 400 pages of well presented information. Despite the book's title and frequent references to giftedness, the authors appear to dislike the word “gifted” due to the implication that it is divisive. Those who work in gifted education will be familiar with how “loaded” the term has become, with some people claiming that “every child is gifted” while others cry out against gifted education as elitist. The solution, they say, is to focus on needs for accommodation on a subject by subject basis. The result of such a program would be to have every child learning at an optimal level and pace, which is referred to here as the ZPD or “zone of proximal development”. Every student learns best when their work is neither too hard, nor too easy. In an ideal world, we wouldn't need labels of any sort, because every person would be allowed appropriate work in school and throughout life. I'm not convinced that we are ready to make that leap, but it's nice to think about.

I'll review the contents of several important chapters here. Chapter one is all about perspectives on giftedness and paradigm shifts. Chapter four delves into assessments and tests. Chapter five covers the aforementioned movement away from labeling, while still meeting the needs of highly able learners. The “mystery vs. mastery” view of giftedness is quite fascinating. Chapter seven highlights alternative educational options, such as homeschooling, bibliotherapy, whole grade acceleration, second language immersion, and more. In chapter 12, we learn about teacher development and administrative support.

This is a thoughtful and instructive handbook which will be quite useful to teachers and administrators, as well as parents of gifted children.

Reviews:

Being Smart about Gifted Children

We were very happy with the enthusiastic response to Being Smart about Gifted Children, and are enjoying a lively correspondence with educators and parents in Canada and the United States, and around the world -- Belgium, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Sri Lanka, Israel, Bosnia & Herzogovina, Germany, Ireland, and England, for starters -- and look forward to ongoing conversations around the globe about gifted development and the importance of gifted education. We have also received some gratifying formal recognition for our work in the form of awards, book features, and reviews:

Awards

AWARD-WINNING FINALIST, 2009

NATIONAL BEST BOOKS AWARD

Featured book

Center for Talent Development
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/resources/bibliography/parentinggifted.html

Chapters/Indigo: recommended in Trusted Advisors Program

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978091070766&Catalog=Books&Ntt=being+smart+about+gifted+children&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1

Hoagies Gifted Education

Being Smart is on both of the Hoagies Top 25 lists, the list for parents, and the one for teachers:
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/gifted_books.htm

Parentbooks
http://www.parentbooks.ca/

About Education

http://specialed.about.com/od/giftedness/tp/gift.htm

Being Smart about Gifted Children High on my list! This is the first book you should buy if you have a gifted child. Lots of practical information, suggestions, characteristics of giftedness and much more. This book was written in 2005 and is one you'll refer to more than once!

Published Reviews

Roeper Review, Fall 2006

Reviewed by Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D. in Roeper Review, October, 2006. Vol. 29, #1, p. 65

“[Being Smart about Gifted Children] is an enjoyable read: gifted educators and teachers will find this book a valuable addition to their personal libraries. On a daily basis, this book will serve as a guide for parents and educators whose work is challenging, exhilarating, and rewarding. With their astute understanding of research, Matthews and Foster craft a book that is accessible to a mainstream audience. With their deep understanding of human nature and psychology, they weave personal histories within this narrative that will help parents and educators understand the overlap between research and practice.”

for full review published in Roeper Review

Gifted Child Quarterly, Summer 2006

Reviewed by Susan McGowan in Gifted Child Quarterly, Summer 2006, Vol. 50, #3, 270-272

“Being Smart about Gifted Children is recommended for parents and classroom teachers who are just beginning their association with gifted children as it is a solid survey of the multifaceted topic of gifted education. There are many resources, experts in the field, and Web sites provided in the book that can be used as a springboard for those wishing to know more about gifted education.”

Northwestern University Center for Talent Development
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/resources/bibliography/parentinggifted.html

Dona J. Matthews and Joanne F. Foster. Being Smart about Gifted Children. A Guidebook for Parents and Educators. Great Potential Press,2004. Scottsdale, AZ.
"This is a book written for parents and it covers a wide variety of topics about gifted children including conceptions of giftedness, creativity testing and assessment, identification and labeling issues, educational programs within school and outside of school, motivation, emotional and social issues and development, and cultural differences and learning problems among gifted children. The book is long (about 400 pages) but comprehensive and written in an easy, informative style appropriate for non educators. Despite its length it is palatable because it is filled with vignettes of gifted children and the authors frequently give practical suggestions for parents. Especially helpful chapters include the ones on emotional, social and behavioral concerns, development of gifted children, and adapting to program or school changes. This book is recommended for parents who want a broad view of many issues concerning gifted children."

Duke Gifted Letter

"Challenging the belief that programs for gifted children are elitist, Being Smart about Gifted Children by Dona Matthews, Ph.D. and Joanne Foster, Ed.D. (Great Potential Press, 2005) shows that providing appropriate educational experiences for children of high ability is the right thing to do. The book gives parents and educators practical strategies for developing children's natural abilities. Visit www.giftedbooks.com to learn more about this valuable resource."

Ontario Council of Teachers Professionally Speaking, Winter 2005

"Written by Ontario educators, this book addresses one of the most misunderstood and under-served groups in our schools. Teachers have the daunting task of meeting the needs of diverse students, implementing individual education plans and modifying curriculum so that all their students thrive. Without a challenging curriculum, gifted students can become bored and inattentive. They may also be misdiagnosed with hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder. Gifted students who fall through the cracks may be at risk of dropping out of school. But because gifted programs are seen as elitist, this group is often ignored. Being Smart about Gifted Children advocates for gifted children by presenting current research and practical solutions for identifying and teaching these students.

Chapter ten discusses motivation in self-directed learners: “Parents and teachers of gifted children should realize that highly capable learners do not automatically get high marks on their report cards.” Low grades may reflect the disengagement of a self-directed learner in a boring classroom environment.

The authors present “no single formula for living or working with gifted children,” but offer readers “some perspectives and understandings that can help us make good and informed decisions, and find ways to make a difference so that children experience their world as an engaging place in which to live, laugh, and learn.”

This is a valuable resource for any person involved in the education of gifted children.

Being Smart about Gifted Children, Great Potential Press, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2005, ISBN 0-910707-66-9, softcover, 408 pages, $37.95.

Reviewed by Kerry-Lee Finkle, who is a program officer at the Ontario College of Teachers."

The Journal of Human Intelligences, Spring 2005

Excerpts from a Review Published in The Journal of Human Intelligences, Spring 2005, Volume 1, Number 2 - Review by Clifford Morris

"Being Smart about Gifted Children: A Guidebook for Parents and Educators, henceforth simply ‘Guidebook’, provides the reader with a first-rate overview of the current state of gifted education from multiple contexts and theoretical perspectives. Authors Drs. Matthews and Foster, both experienced gifted educators, do a remarkable job creating the "best possible learning fit" (p. 189) for gifted children. Throughout this well-written (2005) Guidebook, they introduce the reader to numerous lists of practical teaching strategies and proven recommendations that will indeed aid all types of educators—be they parents, psychologists, school counsellors, school administrators or current and future classroom teachers—as they seek to identify and program exceptional abilities for all types of gifted children. Is this Guidebook worth reading? Absolutely yes! The authors note that there is no one gifted experience. The authors repeat over and over that there is no formula for living or working with gifted children, but there are some perspectives and understandings that can help make good and informed decisions and find ways to make a difference, so children see their world as an engaging place in which to live, laugh and learn.

Is this Guidebook worth having on your bookshelf? Again, a definite yes. The authors have written this reference text for parents and educators who are interested in better understanding and supporting high-level development in all types of children, not only gifted children. Based on research evidence and grounded in their own personal and professional experiences, authors Drs. Matthews and Foster weave a strong case for giftedness as a developing field of special education. Throughout, they describe the paradigm shift within the field, from a “mystery” model approach, with uncertain connections across definition, identification, and programming practices, to a “mastery” model approach that is more defensibly connected with solid educational practice.

It bears repeating what was initially stated at the outset: This Guidebook is must reading for classroom teachers, educational researchers, school psychologists, trainers of teachers, administrators of schools, and especially parents of gifted children. Not only does this work present the state-of-the-art research as a vital reference book on giftedness it also applies the latest theories to practice in identifying and teaching the world's most valuable, yet often neglected, natural resource, our gifted and talented children."

For the complete review, go to http://www.igs.net/~cmorris/johi-1-2.html

amazon.com reviews

The first gifted book you should read!, January 28, 2006 Reviewer: Carolyn K. "Mrs. Hoagie" (Hoagies' Gifted Education Page) - Being Smart is a great introduction to giftedness, for the parent, teacher, even administrator, those who are brand new, and those who think they "know all about gifted children." Dispelling myths and answering questions along the way, Matthews and Foster step us through giftedness from identification to education, and into social / emotional. How to answer the tricky questions, how to support gifted kids in today's egalitarian world, and what to tell the kids along the way - Being Smart covers it all. All the while, they meet their goal: share details on how we, parents and educators, can meet the gifted child's educational and social / emotional needs. Much more than just an introduction, Being Smart should be in every gifted book collection..."The new classic must-read book for parents and teachers!"

Educators' Reviews

Mike Bergsgaard, Director of Enrichment and Talent Development, University of Winnipeg

What a Legacy! I think my natural inclination is to write in superlatives, as did my mother, and to write too much, as did Dickens...a couple of people to whom I was introduced at an early age who both left an impression. I'm going to resist that inclination in "reviewing" Being Smart by saying simply that it is a book that needed to be written and now needs to be read. Toward that end, since receiving a copy last week, I have recommended it to three local parents seeking counsel about their children, and I've also encouraged the instructor teaching our Gifted Ed. course next fall to have a look at it. I described it to him by observing that, "in every instance, where I thought the book omitted something of importance, the authors eventually got to the matter and when they did, they did it well." You even thought to include names other than the conventional Anglo-Saxon monikers that dominate in most vignettes and anecdotes. I'm sure Dona and you have received many well-deserved accolades, and you are quite right to feel proud of what you accomplish with the work. Thanks for insuring that we received a copy of Being Smart; more importantly thanks for the very significant contribution you have made in writing what you can justly describe as a Guidebook for Parents and Educators...as one of millions who grew up in a less-enlightened era, I think we have an even greater appreciation for what school, life and the world could have been like with the advantage of the insights, wisdom and guidance you and Dona offer the current generation of children, as well as parents and educators.

S. Collin; Secondary School Teacher - Toronto

Being Smart is a veritable goldmine of insights on bright kids. Foster and Matthews offer a rich collection of perspectives on gifted children and gifted education. It is a must-read for parents and professionals committed to enhancing the scope of gifted education, and it is a critical point of reference for educators wanting to address the individual learning needs of smart students. Being Smart provides us with a needed consideration for the myriad of complexities facing gifted kids in our classrooms.
Matthews’ and Foster's text is smart work. Bravo!

Dr. Frank C. Worrell, University of California-Berkeley, discussant, Processes and Issues in Gifted Education; American Education Research Association conference, April 12, 2005; Montreal, Canada

"I like Dr. Matthews' and Dr. Foster's mystery/mastery conceptualization. They are ahead of the field, and I hope they pull the field along with them."

Marcia Garries - Department Head - Gifted Programs & Services - School District No. 44 (North Vancouver)

"Being Smart is a very good read and I have already used it as a reference in several of my workshops. As for promotions, I know we have been talking about the book in our Lower Mainland Gifted Contacts circle...also I have put it on the list for parents to pick up."

L. Iannarilli - Teacher, and parent of gifted adolescents

I just wanted to say that I have read Being Smart and you should both be bursting with pride over this accomplishment. It's a fine book and a great resource for educators, parents, and students as well. My daughters are currently reading through sections of interest to them and finding it interesting and enlightening. There is a teacher at my school who just placed her son in a grade one gifted class and sought my parental advice... I showed her the book, she skimmed it, and now she's anxious to buy a copy..... so are all her friends/moms in the gifted class. I've also been talking about it within my own parent circle. There is a great deal of interest "on the street" so I hope it's well promoted and distributed."

Parents' Reviews

Chuck Preston, father of two gifted children

"I am reading 'Being Smart'. Great book. By approaching the subject from both the educator's and parent's perspectives, it offers insight into working together to meet the child's needs. An excellent resource."

Mary Lynn Trotter M.S.W., Clinical Social Worker, Toronto, Canada

What a great contribution to the literature! Being Smart about Gifted Children is both a catchy title and a good investment for anyone working or living with bright children. This is a reasonably priced text aimed at both parents and professionals working with advanced learners. It has a good blend of real life examples and academic research to help improve our understanding of what these children need. It will help me with the clients I serve, and in raising my own child.

Website Recognition

A small sampling of places outside of our own neighborhoods of Toronto and New York where Being Smart has been recognized as a valuable resource... (Short and sweet but coast to coast...)

Oregon: Intellectually Gifted, Academically Talented - Issues and Opportunities - Oregon Community Foundation - Sept. 2005

Utah: Gate Source (Gifted and Talented Education) - Education Resources for Parents of Gifted Children, Salt Lake City, Utah - 2005

Montana: The Center for Creative Learning, Rockwood Gifted Program - Ellisville, Montana - Nov./Dec. 2005

British Columbia: The Lower Mainland Gifted Organization- Gifted Education Coordinators and Specialists in the region of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada.

Virginia: Fairfax County Pubic Schools - Virginia

New Jersey Association for Gifted Children

Being Smart about Gifted Children is designed for parents and educators. The authors describe ways to develop children's natural abilities and present practical strategies to help parents and educators identify and nurture the abilities of children with high abilities.

Readers may learn more about, and, hopefully, better understand, many of the complexities of gifted development to enable them to make informed decisions with and for the children and adolescents in their lives. Although the book is designed primarily for parents and teachers, it will certainly be of interest to other professionals including teacher educators, school counselors, psychologists, administrators and policy makers. It is full of valuable information for those who seek to better understand gifted children, educational programs for gifted children, and testing.

Matthews and Foster introduce the "mystery" and "mastery" models of gifted education for our consideration and challenge several commonly held assumptions about identification. The unique characteristics of the gifted and the fact that such children are "not a homogeneous population" are emphasized. The authors suggest that giftedness is a highly diverse phenomenon that is not easily measured or recognized.

They offer alternative approaches to gifted programming, ideas about teacher development strategies, and advice about advocacy.The authors focus on evidence-based understandings of high level development and challenge much of the conventional thinking about gifted education.

They have included only those policies and practices which are "solidly grounded theoretically and/or empirically", a sorely needed approach in education. Being Smart about Gifted Children is a welcome combination of current research and readable format.

Areas addressed in the book are creativity and giftedness, testing, identification, labeling issues, classroom adaptations, program options, motivation, emotional, social and behavioral concerns, young gifted children, adolescence, counseling, parent strategies, sibling relationships, gifted adolescents, advocacy, helping school meet children's needs, gifted education trends and teacher development, (Dynamic Scaffolding Model). Their consulting model of dynamic scaffolding is an exciting approach to staff development.

Test interpretation, assessments for young children, and information on psycho-educational assessment reports are provided very thoroughly in the appendix. The authors give us a comprehensive discussion of testing, assessment and identification which is thought provokingThey don't give easy formulas or recipes but provide, excellently, through evidence and experience, practical strategies for working with our gifted children. Their chapter "Adaptations:The Gifted Learner in the Regular Classroom" is a gem replete with resources, ideas, realistic strategies, action research vignettes from educators, children, and parents. Website resources are strategically embedded in every chapter as points are made so the reader doesn't have to search for them.

The authors offer many ideas for motivating high ability learners which are directed at teachers but can be adapted for use at home by parents. Wonderful quotes may be found at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the book from experts in education, philosophers, parents, teachers, administrators and kids. In addition, there are many real voices of children and adults in the vignettes included in every chapter.

Here is a book that truly extends the 3 R's. It is rich, real, readable, respectful, researched, refreshing - an excellent resource - a valuable reference. It is written with professional honesty and respect for children, their parents and educators.

You would be smart to get this book and use it. It would be a great gift to give yourself but an even greater gift for your children. Full of valuable information for those who want to understand giftedlearners, Being Smart about Gifted Children is designed as a guidebook. You couldn't wish for a better route.

Dr. Matthews holds degrees in Counseling and Psychology and Special Education (Gifted) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. Currently she is Director of the Hunter College Center for Gifted Studies and Associate Professor of Special Education, Hunter College, City University of New York. Dr. Foster holds degrees in Special Education and Human Development from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. Currently she teaches Educational Psychology as well as Gifted Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, and is the Gifted Education Consultant for a large school board in Toronto. Both have teaching and consulting experience, were coordinators of programs for gifted children, and have written and spoken extensively throughout Canada and the U.S.

Reviewed by Dr. Gloria Cohen, NJAGC Trustee Feb 20, 2006

About Education

http://specialed.about.com/od/giftedness/tp/gift.htm

Being Smart about Gifted Children High on my list! This is the first book you should buy if you have a gifted child. Lots of practical information, suggestions, characteristics of giftedness and much more. This book was written in 2005 and is one you'll refer to more than once!