Take book activities to the third dimension that reach out to giften students.

Use these activities with a simple, make yourself paper cube. You can use this pattern from Learning-Connections. Gifted students often have problems not understood by teachers, parents, and other students. These books may help them accept themselves and their gifts.

Themes

Have the students write on each side of the cube ideas or feelings using one of these themes.

• Things you can do about perfectionism
• Messages you would like to send peers/teachers/parents
• Important things girls and boys can do
• Ways to celebrate differences/express uniqueness
• Kinds of support needed for creative growth

Resources for Elementary Students

Demi. (1990). The Empty Pot.
Topic: Courage in admitting failure

Espeland, Pamela. (1998). The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide for Ages 10 & Under.
Topic: The perfection infection

Yolen, Jane. (1977). The Sultan's Perfect Tree.
Topic: Seeing beauty in "imperfection"; being perfect is not growing

Resources for Secondary Students

Adderholdt-Elliott, Miriam. (1999). Perfectionism: What's Bad About Being Too Good.
Topics: Why people become perfectionists; what perfectionism does to your mind, body relationships; ways to cope

Delisle, James R. (1996). The Gifted Kids Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook.
Topic: Is it possible to be perfect?