The GATEWay Gals

This is an advanced novel study for Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Schema Building Artwork Reproductions — Chapter-by-chapter Thinking Frameworks — Pre- and Post- Thinking Frameworks — Universal Theme Analysis: Conflict — Pentomino Puzzlers Math Connections — Literary Analysis Focus Pages for: SettingThemePlot StructureCharacter Development— Additional Research/Writing Prompts — Suggested Answer Key — Rubric for Asse

This is an advanced novel study for The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Ongoing Student Notes — Chapter-by-chapter Thinking Frameworks — Pre- and Post- Thinking Frameworks — Additional research/writing prompts — Extension Activities — Rubrics for Assessment — Answer Key This novel study guide is designed to use with high-level 4th through 6th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted learners in mind

This novel study guide is designed to use with high level 4th and/or 5th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted students in mind. It could also be used with middle school grades. The level of depth in questioning and discussions will be at teacher discretion based on student readiness. In designing this unit, a main focus was guiding students to think deeply about underlying themes, ethical issues, and connections to the real world. Specifically, I want my students to use this

This is an advanced novel study for A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle, soon to be a major motion picture! Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Complete printable student vocabulary booklet with advanced vocabulary analysis for each chapter — Chapter-by-chapter Thinking Frameworks — Critical Thinking and Comprehension "Roundups" in three-chapter sections — Pre- and Post-Reading Thinking Frameworks based on essential questions — Additional research/writin

This novel study was designed for use with gifted second through fourth graders, but could be modified and/or scaffolded to meet the needs to students in grades 2-5. The main focus of this unit was to guide students to analyze text on a deeper level, gaining rich understandings of theme and descriptive language. Students will need to think, infer, and cite text evidence to support their answers. Students will meet objectives for deep thinking using a combination of discussion, independent and/o

The Westing Game – Complete Novel Study | Depth & Complexity | Mystery Unit for Gifted & Upper Elementary Dive into  The Westing Game with this  high‑engagement, deeply analytical novel study designed especially for  gifted learners, advanced 5th–6th graders. This unit blends  Depth & Complexity,  close reading,  critical thinking, and  mystery‑genre investigation to help students uncover clues, analyze character motives, and think like real detectives. Packed with teacher‑friendly structure an

The Eleventh Hour: A Curious MysteryThis unit for The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery by Graeme Base was developed with gifted students in mind. The puzzles presented are challenging, engaging, and varied. Along with visual puzzles, there is plentiful word play, including puns, idioms, and ambiguity of language which requires students to make leaps of inference and hone deductive reasoning skills. Included in this resource, you will find: A detailed unit plan Student detective pages, includi

This is an advanced novel study for The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Character, Plot, Quotes, and Theme analysis frameworks — Chapter-by-chapter Thinking Frameworks — Pre- and Post- Thinking Frameworks — Additional writing prompts This novel study guide is designed to use with high-level 2nd through 4th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted learners in mind. The level of depth in question

This is an advanced novel study for The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Chapter-by-chapter Thinking Frameworks — Supplemental related texts to build background knowledge and enhance understanding — Analysis Rubric — Pre- and Post-Reading Thinking Frameworks based on a universal theme (STRUCTURE) — Additional research/writing prompts — Rigorous Analysis Guides for: Vocabulary, Character, Plot Structure, Symbolism, Setting

This is an advanced novel study for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg. Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Chapter-by-Chapter Thinking Frameworks — Suggested Answer Key — Pre- and Post-Reading Thinking Frameworks based on essential questions — Additional extensions/writing prompts — Rigorous Analysis Guides for: Vocabulary, Character, Genre, Symbolism, Plot Structure, Settings, and Theme This novel study guide is desi

This is an advanced novel study for Rump by Liesl Shurtliff Included in this resource: — Teacher Guide with ideas for implementation — Character, Plot, and Theme analysis frameworks — Chapter-by-chapter Thinking Frameworks — Pre- and Post- Thinking Frameworks — Additional writing prompts — Full Text of original Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale — Rubrics for Assessment This novel study guide is designed to use with high-level 2nd through 4th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted le

This resource is designed to help you introduce Sandra Kaplan's icons of Depth and Complexity using readily available trade books. It includes background information on each icon and trade book, a focus mat on each icon as it relates to a specific trade book, critical thinking questions to help students analyze the literature with additional icons, a suggested reading list for additional practice, and rubrics to assess learning. Once your students have a firm understanding of the icons, they'll

This bundle includes both the complete Advanced Novel Study for The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart as well as the Digital Student Journal, allowing you to take this novel study paperless! This novel study guide is designed to use with high level 4th and/or 5th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted students in mind. It could also be used with middle school grades. The level of depth in questioning and discussions will be at teacher discretion based on stud

This novel study guide is designed to use with high level 3rd and 4th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted students in mind. It could also be used with middle school grades. The level of depth in questioning and discussions will be at teacher discretion based on student readiness. In designing this unit, a main focus was guiding students to think deeply about underlying themes, ethical issues, and connections to the real world. Specifically, I want my students to use this no

The Egypt Game – Advanced Novel Study Unit (Grades 5–6)Looking for a rich, rigorous, and highly engaging novel study for The Egypt Game? This comprehensive unit is designed specifically for high‑level learners, gifted readers, and classrooms ready to dive deep into literary analysis, ancient history, and meaningful discussion. This resource includes everything you need to teach the novel through the lenses of conflict, theme, character development, and critical thinking—all while integratin

This novel study was written for gifted second and third graders, and would be most appropriate for children ages 8 and older. The main focus of this unit was to guide students to analyze text on a deeper level, gaining rich understandings of theme and descriptive language. Students will need to think, infer, and cite text evidence to support their answers. Students will meet objectives for deep thinking using a combination of discussion, independent and/or group readings (including close rea

This bundle contains both our advanced novel study for The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (soon to be a major motion picture!) as well as our depth and complexity deep thinking unit evaluating Views from the Zoo. Using both together helps take students even deeper with the context of the novel, and gives them perspective using depth and complexity tools. The advanced novel study goes way beyond simple comprehension skills and includes: Teacher Guide with ideas for implementationC

Welcome to the Whodunit Hotel! In this multidisciplinary genre study, students will work with a variety of mysteries in order to develop their concept of the genre and literary analysis skills. Students love mysteries, and they readily engage with the genre because it inherently encourages them to think deeply about a text to find solutions. Mysteries also provide an excellent opportunity as a genre to explicitly teach and discuss many facets of literature, including setting, characters, plot de

Using this resource, students will critically analyze 12 common fairy tales. Students will explore the themes and lessons utilizing the Thinking Frameworks based on the icons of Depth and Complexity included. A STEM activity is included with each fairy tale to further develop the students’ critical and creative thinking. Also included in this resource are STEM Reflections as well as rubrics for assessment. ***************************************************************************** Fairy Tale

Advanced Novel Study: Esperanza Rising  by Pam Muñoz RyanThis bundle includes both the complete Advanced Novel Study for Esperanza Rising  by Pam Muñoz Ryan as well as the Digital Student Journal, allowing you to take this novel study paperless! This novel study guide is designed to use with high-level 4th and 5th grade students, and was specifically designed with gifted learners in mind. The level of depth in questioning and discussion will be at the teacher’s discretion, based on student need