Associate Professor University of St. Thomas Chaska, Minnesota, United States
Short description: Literature is a powerful tool for fostering critical thinking and empathy in gifted learners. This session explores how diverse texts featuring LGBTQ+ themes can challenge students' perspectives, promote meaningful discussions, and develop deeper analytical skills. Educators will gain strategies for selecting and integrating inclusive literature to support intellectual and social-emotional growth in gifted classrooms.
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate Inclusive Literature – Participants will analyze a selection of high-quality books with LGBTQ themes to determine their appropriateness and effectiveness in challenging gifted students’ thinking.
Design Inquiry-Based Discussions – Educators will develop strategies for facilitating respectful, thought-provoking discussions that encourage gifted students to critically engage with themes of identity, equity, and representation.
Integrate Literature into Curriculum – Attendees will create lesson plans and activities that incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive literature to foster critical thinking, empathy, and deeper analysis in gifted classrooms.
