Recommended Resources
Teaching •
Creativity •
Social/Emotional •
Games •
Novels •
Sci-Fi •
Fantasy •
Mystery
Any purchases made through Amazon will help support Byrdseed. Thanks so much! ~ Ian
Novels
Matilda
Fondly remembered from my days as a 5th grader, Matilda is an unusual girl stuck in a horrible situation. Beyond her gifted mind, she has some rather mysterious powers!
Sci Fi
Revelations
The second book in a sci-fi series which explores gifted students' social and emotional needs. I reviewed it here.
Orientation
An intriguing science fiction story that integrates social-emotional instruction. The first in a series. Reviewed here.
The White Mountains
The opening novel of a sci-fi trilogy in which earth has been conquered by aliens who travel in towering tripod vehicles.
A Wrinkle in Time
A classic sci-fi novel featuring a gifted female protagonist on a journey across time and space. Meg's young brother is profoundly gifted, and the two struggle to find their identities.
Fantasy
The Phantom Tollbooth
A wonderful fantasy novel featuring great wordplay and clever characters.
The Little Prince
An easy to read, but incredibly deep children's book. Get your students discussing philosophy, childhood vs adulthood, and the purpose of life.
Mystery
The Mysterious Benedict Society
It begins with an ad in the paper: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Four special children make it through a series of strange tests and become part of a secret mission. I reviewed this awesome novel here.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
A great novel featuring a gifted girl. Claudia runs away from home, but doesn't want to give up comforts. She convinces her younger brother to fund the trip and the two end up exploring the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Westing Game
An awesome mystery with a clever female protagonist. Perfect for introducing the mystery genre, exposing students to juxtaposition, and as a read-aloud or lit study.
Teaching
Why Don't Students Like School
A great read for thinking about how to create a better learning environment for students.
35 Ideas for Engaging Gifted Readers Writers
35 ideas that are quickly explained, but contain great depth. I wrote more about it here .
Creativity
Creativity for Everybody
A collection of very short reminders about what creativity means. Some great, 1-minute read-alouds for your class.
Palindromania!
All kinds of fun exploration into the world of palindromes. Check out the author's other palindrome-related books as well.
Six Thinking Hats
This book, which I wrote about here, outlines six distinct points of view to consider when discussing an issue. An advanced way to help your students see many sides of the same topic.
Thinkertoys
This "handbook of creative-thinking techniques" includes a detailed description of the SCAMPER framework, which I've written about here, among other simple ways to practice creativity.
Go: A Kidd's Guide To Graphic Design
Awesome and accessible book from Chip Kidd, a designer of many book covers and movie poster's you know and love.
Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
The fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items. Perfect for any trivia-obsessed children (or adults) you know. I wrote about it here.
Scribbles: A Really Giant Drawing and Coloring Book
An amazing, and unusual, coloring book with open ended instructions. Great for all ages. Reviewed here.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Fourteen black-and-white drawings, each accompanied by a title and a caption, entice readers to make up his or her own story.
Social Emotional
People Types and Tiger Stripes
The subtitle of this book is Using Psychological Type to Help Students Discover Their Unique Potential. It was my first introduction to the power of helping students understand their personalities and preferences as a way to improve their learning. Great quick read.
A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children
James Webb's classic resource for parents of gifted children. Useful information for teachers as well.
Revelations
The second book in a sci-fi series which explores gifted students' social and emotional needs. I reviewed it here.
Living With Intensity
Gifted kids (and adults) can be surprisingly intense in their emotions, physical sensitivities, interests, and need for self-direction. This book covers these unexpected, but common, traits of gifted people.
When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers
A nice overview of social and emotional needs of gifted learners, from Jim Delisle and Judy Galbraith. Covers identification, self-image, and dealing with outside pressures.
Orientation
An intriguing science fiction story that integrates social-emotional instruction. The first in a series. Reviewed here.
Games
Lost Cities
A two player only game in which players try to gain the most money by creating expeditions, but must avoid over-extending their resources. A favorite of Mrs. Byrd and myself. Upper elementary and older.
Qwirkle
A color and shape matching game that is immediately accessible, but capable of great complexity. Match as many tiles as possible, but don't set your opponents up for massive points. Elementary through adult.
Dominion
Dominion is currently my favorite board game. Its depth is vast, but each game lasts only 20-30 minutes. There are many cards, but you choose only a subset so each game has different interactions. Probably best for upper elementary and older.
Revelations
The second book in a sci-fi series which explores gifted students' social and emotional needs. I reviewed it here.
Orientation
An intriguing science fiction story that integrates social-emotional instruction. The first in a series. Reviewed here.
The White Mountains
The opening novel of a sci-fi trilogy in which earth has been conquered by aliens who travel in towering tripod vehicles.
A Wrinkle in Time
A classic sci-fi novel featuring a gifted female protagonist on a journey across time and space. Meg's young brother is profoundly gifted, and the two struggle to find their identities.
The Phantom Tollbooth
A wonderful fantasy novel featuring great wordplay and clever characters.
The Little Prince
An easy to read, but incredibly deep children's book. Get your students discussing philosophy, childhood vs adulthood, and the purpose of life.
Mystery
The Mysterious Benedict Society
It begins with an ad in the paper: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Four special children make it through a series of strange tests and become part of a secret mission. I reviewed this awesome novel here.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
A great novel featuring a gifted girl. Claudia runs away from home, but doesn't want to give up comforts. She convinces her younger brother to fund the trip and the two end up exploring the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Westing Game
An awesome mystery with a clever female protagonist. Perfect for introducing the mystery genre, exposing students to juxtaposition, and as a read-aloud or lit study.
Teaching
Why Don't Students Like School
A great read for thinking about how to create a better learning environment for students.
35 Ideas for Engaging Gifted Readers Writers
35 ideas that are quickly explained, but contain great depth. I wrote more about it here .
Creativity
Creativity for Everybody
A collection of very short reminders about what creativity means. Some great, 1-minute read-alouds for your class.
Palindromania!
All kinds of fun exploration into the world of palindromes. Check out the author's other palindrome-related books as well.
Six Thinking Hats
This book, which I wrote about here, outlines six distinct points of view to consider when discussing an issue. An advanced way to help your students see many sides of the same topic.
Thinkertoys
This "handbook of creative-thinking techniques" includes a detailed description of the SCAMPER framework, which I've written about here, among other simple ways to practice creativity.
Go: A Kidd's Guide To Graphic Design
Awesome and accessible book from Chip Kidd, a designer of many book covers and movie poster's you know and love.
Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
The fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items. Perfect for any trivia-obsessed children (or adults) you know. I wrote about it here.
Scribbles: A Really Giant Drawing and Coloring Book
An amazing, and unusual, coloring book with open ended instructions. Great for all ages. Reviewed here.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Fourteen black-and-white drawings, each accompanied by a title and a caption, entice readers to make up his or her own story.
Social Emotional
People Types and Tiger Stripes
The subtitle of this book is Using Psychological Type to Help Students Discover Their Unique Potential. It was my first introduction to the power of helping students understand their personalities and preferences as a way to improve their learning. Great quick read.
A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children
James Webb's classic resource for parents of gifted children. Useful information for teachers as well.
Revelations
The second book in a sci-fi series which explores gifted students' social and emotional needs. I reviewed it here.
Living With Intensity
Gifted kids (and adults) can be surprisingly intense in their emotions, physical sensitivities, interests, and need for self-direction. This book covers these unexpected, but common, traits of gifted people.
When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers
A nice overview of social and emotional needs of gifted learners, from Jim Delisle and Judy Galbraith. Covers identification, self-image, and dealing with outside pressures.
Orientation
An intriguing science fiction story that integrates social-emotional instruction. The first in a series. Reviewed here.
Games
Lost Cities
A two player only game in which players try to gain the most money by creating expeditions, but must avoid over-extending their resources. A favorite of Mrs. Byrd and myself. Upper elementary and older.
Qwirkle
A color and shape matching game that is immediately accessible, but capable of great complexity. Match as many tiles as possible, but don't set your opponents up for massive points. Elementary through adult.
Dominion
Dominion is currently my favorite board game. Its depth is vast, but each game lasts only 20-30 minutes. There are many cards, but you choose only a subset so each game has different interactions. Probably best for upper elementary and older.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
It begins with an ad in the paper: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Four special children make it through a series of strange tests and become part of a secret mission. I reviewed this awesome novel here.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
A great novel featuring a gifted girl. Claudia runs away from home, but doesn't want to give up comforts. She convinces her younger brother to fund the trip and the two end up exploring the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Westing Game
An awesome mystery with a clever female protagonist. Perfect for introducing the mystery genre, exposing students to juxtaposition, and as a read-aloud or lit study.
Why Don't Students Like School
A great read for thinking about how to create a better learning environment for students.
35 Ideas for Engaging Gifted Readers Writers
35 ideas that are quickly explained, but contain great depth. I wrote more about it here .
Creativity for Everybody
A collection of very short reminders about what creativity means. Some great, 1-minute read-alouds for your class.
Palindromania!
All kinds of fun exploration into the world of palindromes. Check out the author's other palindrome-related books as well.
Six Thinking Hats
This book, which I wrote about here, outlines six distinct points of view to consider when discussing an issue. An advanced way to help your students see many sides of the same topic.
Thinkertoys
This "handbook of creative-thinking techniques" includes a detailed description of the SCAMPER framework, which I've written about here, among other simple ways to practice creativity.
Go: A Kidd's Guide To Graphic Design
Awesome and accessible book from Chip Kidd, a designer of many book covers and movie poster's you know and love.
Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
The fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items. Perfect for any trivia-obsessed children (or adults) you know. I wrote about it here.
Scribbles: A Really Giant Drawing and Coloring Book
An amazing, and unusual, coloring book with open ended instructions. Great for all ages. Reviewed here.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Fourteen black-and-white drawings, each accompanied by a title and a caption, entice readers to make up his or her own story.
People Types and Tiger Stripes
The subtitle of this book is Using Psychological Type to Help Students Discover Their Unique Potential. It was my first introduction to the power of helping students understand their personalities and preferences as a way to improve their learning. Great quick read.
A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children
James Webb's classic resource for parents of gifted children. Useful information for teachers as well.
Revelations
The second book in a sci-fi series which explores gifted students' social and emotional needs. I reviewed it here.
Living With Intensity
Gifted kids (and adults) can be surprisingly intense in their emotions, physical sensitivities, interests, and need for self-direction. This book covers these unexpected, but common, traits of gifted people.
When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers
A nice overview of social and emotional needs of gifted learners, from Jim Delisle and Judy Galbraith. Covers identification, self-image, and dealing with outside pressures.
Orientation
An intriguing science fiction story that integrates social-emotional instruction. The first in a series. Reviewed here.
Lost Cities
A two player only game in which players try to gain the most money by creating expeditions, but must avoid over-extending their resources. A favorite of Mrs. Byrd and myself. Upper elementary and older.
Qwirkle
A color and shape matching game that is immediately accessible, but capable of great complexity. Match as many tiles as possible, but don't set your opponents up for massive points. Elementary through adult.
Dominion
Dominion is currently my favorite board game. Its depth is vast, but each game lasts only 20-30 minutes. There are many cards, but you choose only a subset so each game has different interactions. Probably best for upper elementary and older.