Introducing…
A University of Connecticut Research and Development Company
Copyright  2005 Renzulli Learning Systems, LLC. All Rights Reserved
The Theoretical & Research Background for Renzulli Learning
WHAT MAKES GIFTEDNESS?
The 3-Ring Conception of Giftedness
Above Average
Ability
Creativity
The Enrichment Triad Model
Task
Commitment
The
Schoolwide
Enrichment
Model (SEM)
Applying the pedagogy of gifted education to enrichment opportunities for all students.
Where did the idea for Renzulli Learning come from?
WHAT
MAKES GIFTEDNESS?
The 3-Ring Conception of Giftedness
Above Average
Ability
Creativity
Task
Commitment
The
Schoolwide
Enrichment
Model (SEM)
The Enrichment Triad Model
Why do we need to
explore a way to
provide teachers with
a new resource for
differentiation?
… THIS WEEK
WE TOOK A
TEST TO SEE
IF WE’RE
READY FOR
THE TEST
THAT TESTS
OUR TEST
SKILLS…
… Wait until
KINDERGARTEN
What is Differentiation?
Matching appropriately challenging
curriculum and instruction with a
student’s abilities, interests, and
learning styles through a variety of
instructional strategies and
challenging curriculum.
But……………
• Is it happening?
• Even with good teachers?
• Or is differentiation too
hard for most teachers to
do well and consistently?
Why aren’t you differentiating?
Classroom Practices
Research Study Findings:
In most classes differentiation is not
being implemented regularly or well for
high potential students
Teachers made, occasionally, only minor
modifications to meet the needs of
talented students in their classrooms.
Archambault, F. X., Jr., Westberg, K. L., Brown, S. W., Hallmark, B. W., Emmons, C. L., & Zhang, W. (1993). Regular
classroom practices with gifted students: Results of a national survey of classroom teachers (Research Monograph 93102).
Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, University of Connecticut.
Classroom Practices
Observational Study
Students experienced no instructional or
curricular differentiation in 84% of the
activities in which they participated.
Approximately 40-50% of traditional
classroom material could be eliminated
for targeted students.
Westberg, K. L., Archambault, F. X., Jr., Dobyns, S. M., & Salvin, T. J. (1993). An observational study of instructional and curricular practices
used with gifted and talented students in regular classroom. Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented,
University of Connecticut.
Types of Differentiation
in Which Targeted Above Average
Students Were Involved
100
Reading
80
Mathematics
60
Sci ence
Social St udies
40
All Subject Areas
I nde p. St udy w/ As s i gned
I nde p. St udy w/ Sel f - s el ect e d
Other
Differentiation
Adva nced Pr o duct
Indep. Study w/
Self-selected
Topic
Adva nced Pr o ces s
Indep. Study w/
Assigned Topic
Adva nced Con t ent
Advanced
Product
No D i f f er ent i at i on
Advanced
Process
0
Advanced
Content
20
No
Differentiation
Percent
Language Arts
Ot he r Di f f er ent i at i on
The message is very clear…
From Get Off My Brain, by Randy McCutcheon, illustrated by Pete Wagner
Renzulli Learning System
Goals
To increase achievement,
motivation, and engagement
in learning through an
enrichment-based approach
and to make differentiation
easier.
Enjoyment
Engagement
Achievement
Enthusiasm
Enrichment
(Renzulli, 2004)
Enrichment Education and
Student Achievement
• The Schoolwide Enrichment
Model and the Enrichment Triad
Model have been successfully
implemented in schools,
producing achievement gains
Successful Learning Communities Where
Schoolwide Enrichment is Used
Charter Oak Academy
of Global Studies
School Goal: To reduce the achievement gap and effectively
address disparity among groups of learners,80% of students
who perform below goal will make 1.5 years growth in
Mathematics and Reading and will progress 2 points on the
holistic scoring scale in Writing.
Demonstrated academic growth …
Average % at goal on 3 tests
90%
1997 & 2004 Grade 4 Charter Oak Connecticut Mastery Test Results
at Goal (Mastery)
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Non F/R Lunch
F/R Lunch
White
Asian
Group
1997
2004
Black
Hispanic
… at all performance levels
1997 & 2004 Grade 4 Charter Oak CMT Results
% in Remedial Band
Average % at remedial on
3 tests
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Non F/R Lunch
F/R Lunch
White
Asian
Group
1997
2004
Black
Hispanic
P.S. 188
The Island
School
In different schools
and across disciplines
P.S. 188 NYC & NYS Standardized Test Scores
in Math and Reading/English Language Arts
80
70
% at Goal
60
50
Grade 3
Grade 4
40
Grade 5
Grade 6
30
20
10
0
1999
Math
2004
1999
2004
Reading/Lang. Arts
Renzulli
Learning
is based
on the
belief
that…
The Main Theme of
Today’s Presentation
Is…
No
Child
L eft…
Bored!
We invite you
to a “wedding”
between…
…30 years of
research and
development on
enrichment learning
with …
…the most
recent advances
in technology.
Young people have access to and use
technology in large numbers
Percentage of 8-18 year-olds
who live in homes with:
In a typical day, percentage of
8-18 year-olds who:
• Computer….…....86
• Internet access …74
• High-speed Internet
access…....….….31
Use a computer……...54
Go online….…...……47
Read a book…...…….46
One thing is clear. We don’t
have the option of turning away
from the future. No one gets to
vote on whether technology is
going to change our lives.
Bill Gates, The Road Ahead
Research on High Ability
Readers Found Students Who:
• received little or no reading
instruction
• spent reading instruction time
reading independently, often at
levels below their challenge level
• surfed the web with no direction
• did busy work
Their teacher explained:
“I try to get to them at least once
a week, but I’m not always able to
do that. So many of my other
students read below grade level
that it’s hard to justify not working
with them. These lower readers will
be retained if they don’t improve.
The top group already reads at
grade level so I rarely get to
them.”
We asked…
What can be
done to provide
more interesting
material to
challenge and
engage these
students?
The idea!
Could we spend the time to identify
the best web-based resources to
help teachers differentiate to meet
the needs of all students?
The Dream...
To bring enriched and differentiated
learning experiences to every child in
every classroom, both in school, and
at home, using the philosophy of SEM
and Triad!
We created
www.renzullilearning.com
•A research-based enrichment
learning system that uses a computer
generated assessment of student
strengths (Renzulli Profiler)
•an enrichment differentiation search
engine that selects high interest
materials from a carefully screened
“storehouse” of thousands of activities
and resources
•Renzulli Learning matches students’
interests and learning styles to
thousands of enriched, challenging
opportunities on-line.
•All activities and options are based on
The Enrichment Triad Model, one of the
most widely used plans for enrichment
and talent development in the world.
The Total Talent Portfolio
Renzulli Profiler
• Student and teacher
read the Student Profile
• Determine accuracy
• Choose an area of
interest for further
exploration
Steph is a fifth grade student who has special
interests and abilities in school….Her primary
interest appears to be in science. She seems
to enjoy learning about scientific subjects such as
biology, chemistry, environmental protection,
animals, or geology and doing something with
this knowledge, such as working on an
experiment or a science project, or collecting
items such as leaves or insects.
Open-Ended Questions
• Imagine that you have written your first book
and you are ready to submit it for publication.
What is the title of your book and what is your
book about?
• Student Response:
The title of my book would be “Runaway”. It will be
about an Egyptian girl from ancient Egypt who runs
away from home because she has a dream that she
must find an ancient amulet from Alexandria. The
amulet is the key to discovering an important fact
about her great-great grandfather.
Renzulli Learning-Currently over 10,000
enrichment activities!
Some of our favorite
Virtual Field Trips!
Virtual Field Trips Raise Test Scores
A scientifically designed research study returned
evidence that web use, carefully designed and integrated
into the curriculum, can raise student achievement.
Students at two Maryland middle schools who
participated in three online field trips scored higher on a
national standardized reading comprehension test than
those who used traditional learning
methods alone.
Source: U.S. Newswire
http://news.techlearning.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/envL0FKoBI0E2V0DPJk0E3
Creativity Training Activities
Downloadable activities for teachers to use in
their classrooms!
http://www.exploratorium.edu/music/index.html
Science of Music
Why do some songs get stuck in your head? Do you sing better in
the shower? Enjoy many interesting activities and games about
music. Be sure to check out the dot mixer!!
http://www.myweb3000.com/tangramgame.html
Tangrams
Print out these tangram shapes and then try to make the different
pictures shown below, using the hints provided if you need help.
Creativity Training Activities
On-Line Activities
Guiding the Time Traveler
You're walking home after a long day and run into
Leonardo da Vinci emerging from a time machine.
He wants to bring back information so he can build
an invention! How can you help him?
www.secretsoftheice.org/index.html
Students with an interest in art can explore the
history of art, art careers, and learn about art
techniques by watching short video clips on this
site. They can even create a movie featuring their
art.
Websites
Affective Considerations: Encouraging Children to
Use their Talents to Make a Difference
Peace Corps Kids World
Check out Kids World, brought to you by the Peace
Corps. Join their pal, Traveler, as she explores the globe
and learns about making a difference.
http://whale.wheelock.edu/whalenet-stuff/stop_cover.html#tags
Kids who are interested in animals can follow the
movements of animals like the white-sided dolphin who
was tagged in collaboration with the New England
Aquarium and the Cape Cod Stranding Network.
Research
Plimoth Plantation Online Learning Center
Find out firsthand about the first Thanksgiving.
Learn how historians decide what is fact and
fiction using primary sources. Share what you
have learned online for everyone to see.
Within These Walls
Historians use clues to understand the past. Use
the clues in this house to learn about its history
just like the professionals do!
Real Field Trips
McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Ohio was
established to preserve and interpret the history of the 25th
President of the United States, William McKinley. The former
president is buried there with his wife and a museum, library
and planetarium are on the grounds.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Explore the hands-on exhibits, take a tour or even try out one
of their special programs.
The Intrepid Museum in New York
Guided tours of the Intrepid help students discover the ship’s
role in WWII, the space program and the Vietnam War.
Critical Thinking Activities
Ancient Egypt Discovery Case
Explore ancient Egypt through an interactive discovery case full
of materials including an interactive timeline, Egyptian
hieroglyphs and a map of ancient Egypt. Learn about the
pyramids, burial customs, Gods and Goddesses, and much
more.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/track.htm
Students who are interested in nature can study animal tracks
and learn how to track certain species. This site presents a
mystery which students solve by examining animal tracks.
Contests & Competitions
•Hundreds of contests & competitions
•Based on students’ interests
•Using authentic methods of research and inquiry
•Writing, Math, Science, History, Technology,
Debate, and the list goes on…
Young Inventors!
The 2005 Young Inventors Awards Program is
open to all students in grades 2-8 in the
United States. Students must work to
conceive and design their tool inventions.
Book Resources
• Fiction and non-fiction books to
match readers’ different interests
• E-books can motivate reluctant
readers
• How-to books are a resource for
Type III projects
E-books:
Books available to read online
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
CHAPTER ONE
"Christmas won't be Christmas without any
presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so
dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at
her old dress. "I don't think it's fair for some girls
to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls
nothing at all,“ added little Amy, with an injured
sniff.
Happy readers
are engaged
readers!
Reading Research Results
Significant differences favoring the
Schoolwide Enrichment Model-R
treatment group were found in:
Attitudes toward reading
Reading comprehension
Reading fluency
Projects &
Independent Study
Type III Project ideas
• Hundreds to choose from in categories
such as:
bridges, comics, castles, biographies,
animals, culture, journalism, science,
botany, creative writing, arts, dance,
sculpture …
How can Renzulli Learning help
to enrich and challenge all of
your students?
The Wizard Project Maker™
for Individual and Small
Group Work
“The Wizard Project Maker helps
my students see the ‘why’ in
using the Internet.”
The answer to the question,
“What next?”
• Students assume roles as first-hand
investigators, writers, artists, or other
types of practicing professionals.
• The teacher acts as the “guide-on-theside,” providing instruction based on a
specific, direct need a student has
expressed in order to be able to
accomplish a task.
Basic Characteristics of
Enrichment Learning

Student and teacher select a topic which may
be an off-shoot of the regular curriculum or an
independent topic based on the student’s
interest

Student produces a product, project and/or
service that is intended to have an impact on
a particular audience

Student uses authentic methods,
technological resources and advanced level
content to produce the product or service
Student Project Example
• A group of students wanted to start a debate club at
school
• Renzulli Learning helped them locate the how-to book
A Student’s Guide to Social Action
• They wrote a proposal and surveyed students to
determine interest in a debate club
• The group used a web site found in Renzulli Learning
that allowed them to develop a questionnaire, input
the data and tabulate the results of their survey
• They created a PowerPoint presentation and showed
it to the Principal and Student Council
• High student interest and the persuasive presentation
resulted in the creation of a debate club at their
school
The Wizard
Project
Maker™ walks
students
through the
research
process,
provides an
organizational
system, and
stores the
information
gathered.
Student Work
I Can’t Write a Poem
My Instant Poem
Forget it
You must be kidding
I have no ideas
Duh!
I can’t pick just one topic
Too many choices
My mind goes blank
I think too hard
It’s time for lunch
My favorite TV show is on
Time’s up? Uh oh!
All I have is a dumb list of
excuses.
You like it? Really? No kidding.
Thanks a lot. Would you like to
see another one?
This is the poem that melts and
freezes
in the ice cream parlor
when it drips onto your paper
that soaks it all in
because the paper is flat and
because it wants to become 2dimensional
By Emily
By Emily
And when a brain freeze
takes over your mind
this is the poem that helps
it unfreeze
and makes you think better
How do we increase
enjoyment, engagement
and enthusiasm?
Through…
O pportunities
R esources
E ncouragement
Always in areas of the students’ interest!
Field Test Results
Student responses
• How much do you like using Renzulli
Learning?
Completely: 71%
Very Much: 29%
Somewhat: 0%
Not At All: 0%
• Did the profile describe you well?
Yes: 93%
Maybe: 7%
• Did you view choices in each of the 14
enrichment categories?
Yes: 89%
No: 11%
Students’ Favorite Enrichment
Activity Categories
Online Classes & Activities: 32%
Virtual Field Trips: 21%
Creativity Training: 17%
Critical Thinking: 7%
Projects & Independent Study: 7%
Real Field Trips: 4%
Contests & Competitions: 4%
Websites: 4%
Why did you like
Renzulli Learning?
• Because it takes you to some awesome websites!
• I liked how it had questions and when it was
done, it knew all about me.
• It was very cool and found all of my interests.
• You can watch fish live on virtual webcams.
• It was very exciting because they know what
you like and they have websites for you.
Student Reactions
Matt: “I have a lot of
things I’m interested in,
but I never follow
through with my ideas.
This will help me pick
an idea and follow
through with it!”
•Students were excited about the topics
•Interested and supportive of one another’s interests
•Had productive talk about ideas, topics and resources
What have we learned about talent
development during the last 30 years?
When the regular curriculum is adjusted for
differences and enrichment opportunities, and
resources and encouragement are provided, we
see student gains in:
Achievement
Creativity
Engagement in learning
Attitudes toward school
What Teachers Can Access
in Renzulli Learning
• Student profiles, questionnaires, activities,
sites visited and assessments completed
• Reports grouping kids by interest, learning
and product styles
• Downloadable activities,independent studies,
learning maps, and classroom work
• Enrichment Activity Search Engine
• Online discussion group to share questions,
resources, ideas for class activities, etc.
Teacher Reactions
• Students were excited and self motivated
• Good information for beginning of school
year
• Want to use it with all students, not just
Gifted & Talented students
• Valuable insight into interests, especially
from quiet students
• Great way to direct student learning
• Supports differentiated instruction
The Teacher’s Role
The “Guide on the Side”
•Consulting
•Guiding
•Assisting
•Providing challenging
follow-up
•Type III study direction
Parent Reactions
• Laura
– “What was that new
program my daughter
was using? She came
home and was so
excited about it. I
know she liked it
because she told us all
about it. Usually she
doesn’t tell us anything
about what she does in
school.”
Try Renzulli Learning
• Log on to www.renzullilearning.com
• Go to Test Drive Renzulli Learning
By way of summary…
Renzulli Learning is:
• an internet-based search-engine and profiler that
matches how students learn to thousands of
enrichment activities for both students and
teachers
• a resource to direct student learning and provide
challenging, interest-based activities that will
engage and motivate students
• a “dozen teaching assistants” for teachers,
helping with decisions for instruction
• focused on student strengths and interests
• based on research and developed over 30 years
No
Child
L eft…
Bored!