Enrichment Clusters: A Practical Plan for Real-World, Student-Driven Learning

Description

Enrichment clusters engage students and facilitators in student-driven, real-world learning experiences. Grouped by interest, students working like practicing professionals apply advanced content and methods to develop products and services for authentic audiences. Clusters are scheduled during the school day over an extended period of time and involve all students. This updated second edition of Enrichment Clusters provides the rationale for including this important enrichment program for all students, suggestions for creating buy-in, and a step-by-step guide for successful implementation of a self-sustaining enrichment cluster program within the context of specific schools. Included are staff development activities, suggestions for evaluation and program improvement, guidelines for developing high quality cluster experiences for teachers and students, suggested resources, and everything one needs to develop, implement, and sustain a top-quality enrichment cluster program.

Joseph Renzulli is a professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, where he also has served as the director of the Renzulli Center For Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. Marcia Gentry is the director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute and professor of educational studies at Purdue University. Her research has focused on the use of cluster grouping and differentiation, the application of gifted education pedagogy to improve teaching and learning, student perceptions of school, and nontraditional services and underserved populations.

Gifted students thrive in enrichment clusters due to the open-ended nature of the learning experience and the opportunity to explore their interests in depth. This updated second edition of the book includes examples of staff development, program evaluation, and an expanded rationale with details about developing buy-in for the program.,Gifted Child Today, 1/20/15