Joyce VanTassel-Baska

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 4 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 4 (2nd ed.).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 4 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the readings to move them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards such as sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognizing main ideas. Grade 4

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 3 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3 (2nd ed., previously published as Level 1).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the poetry readings to move them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards such as sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognizing main ideas. Student workbooks are also available for the short story activities and the nonfiction activities.

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 5 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 5 (2nd ed.). Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction and essays/speeches). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 5 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the nonfiction readings to move them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards such as sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognizing main ideas. Student workbooks are also available for the short story activities and the poetry activities.

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 5 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 5 (2nd ed.).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 5 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the short story readings to move them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards such as sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognizing main ideas. Grade 5

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 5 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 5 (2nd ed.).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 5

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 4 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 4 (2nd ed.).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 4

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 3 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3 (2nd ed., previously published as Level 1).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the short story readings to move them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards such as sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognizing main ideas. Student workbooks are also available for the poetry activities and the nonfiction activities.

The Affective Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob’s Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students’ social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and speeches, essays, and biographies.Each complete set includes the teacher's guide and 5 copies of each companion student workbook.

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 4 will learn to comprehend and analyze any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 4 (2nd ed.).Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis (short stories, poetry, nonfiction). Corresponding to the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grade 4 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the nonfiction readings to move them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards such as sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognizing main ideas. Grade 4

The Affective Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob’s Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students’ social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and speeches, essays, and biographies.Each complete set includes the teacher's guide and 5 copies of each companion student workbook.

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder:Focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs.Includes high-interest reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies.Moves students from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting.Integrates reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs.Asks students to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives.New ladders were specially designed for this series and derived from relevant theories about empathy, risk and resilience, achievement motivation, and mindsets and practices for cultivating talent. The Affective Jacob's Ladder guides provide teachers with an explanation of the nature and substance of the theoretical constructs for each ladder. Also included are an overview of the goals and objectives of each ladder and suggestions for how to implement the ladders in the classroom in a way that supports students' academic and social-emotional needs at the same time.Optional Student Workbook PacksIn addition to this teacher's guide, companion student workbooks are available for Picture Books, Short Stories and Media, and Poetry and Biographies. The student workbooks feature ample room for student responses and notes, make reviewing and providing feedback on student work easier than ever, provide students with an easy-to-use reference to use during discussions, and save time, as there is no need to reproduce student handouts.

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder:Focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs.Includes high-interest reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies.Moves students from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting.Integrates reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs.Asks students to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives.New ladders were specially designed for this series and derived from relevant theories about empathy, risk and resilience, achievement motivation, and mindsets and practices for cultivating talent. The Affective Jacob's Ladder guides provide teachers with an explanation of the nature and substance of the theoretical constructs for each ladder. Also included are an overview of the goals and objectives of each ladder and suggestions for how to implement the ladders in the classroom in a way that supports students' academic and social-emotional needs at the same time.Optional Student WorkbooksIn addition to this teacher's guide, companion student workbooks are available for Picture Books, Short Stories and Media, and Poetry and Biographies. The student workbooks feature ample room for student responses and notes, make reviewing and providing feedback on student work easier than ever, provide students with an easy-to-use reference to use during discussions, and save time, as there is no need to reproduce student handouts.

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies. Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis. Corresponding to the activities in Affective Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3, students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book, short story, and media readings and activities to move them from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for success and integrate reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs, as students are asked to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives. Student workbooks are also available for Part II of the picture book, short stories, and media activities, and the poetry and biography readings.Grade 3

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies. Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis. Corresponding to the activities in Affective Jacob's Ladder, Grade 2, students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book, short story, and media readings and activities to move them from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for success and integrate reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs, as students are asked to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives. Student workbooks are also available for Part II of the picture book, short stories, and media activities, and the poetry and biography readings.Grade 2

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies. Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis. Corresponding to the activities in Affective Jacob's Ladder, Grade 2, students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book, short story, and media readings and activities to move them from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for success and integrate reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs, as students are asked to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives. Student workbooks are also available for Part II of the picture book, short stories, and media activities, and the poetry and biography readings.Grade 2

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies. Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis. Corresponding to the activities in Affective Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3, students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book, short story, and media readings and activities to move them from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for success and integrate reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs, as students are asked to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives. Student workbooks are also available for Part II of the picture book, short stories, and media activities, and the poetry and biography readings.Grade 3

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies. Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis. Corresponding to the activities in Affective Jacob's Ladder, Grade 2, students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book, short story, and media readings and activities to move them from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for success and integrate reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs, as students are asked to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives. Student workbooks are also available for Part II of the picture book, short stories, and media activities, and the poetry and biography readings.Grade 2

The Affective Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program uses a models approach to scaffold student learning and promote inquiry-based discussions of texts. This series of Jacob's Ladder focuses specifically on supporting advanced students' social-emotional needs through the discussion of reading selections in the following genres: short stories and media, poetry, and biographies. Each set of student workbooks includes 5 student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis. Corresponding to the activities in Affective Jacob's Ladder, Grade 3, students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book, short story, and media readings and activities to move them from lower to higher level skills of self-awareness, metacognition, and goal setting. The ladders include multiple skills necessary for success and integrate reading comprehension and analysis skills with affective and social-emotional needs, as students are asked to apply themes, character or real-life experiences, and lessons from texts to their own lives. Student workbooks are also available for Part II of the picture book, short stories, and media activities, and the poetry and biography readings.Grade 3

This updated third edition of Curriculum Planning and Instructional Design for Gifted Learners:

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Students in grade 3 will be able to comprehend and analyze any nonfiction reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder: Nonfiction, Grade 3. The student workbooks feature ample room for student responses and notes, make reviewing and providing feedback on student work easier than ever, provide students with an easy-to-use reference to use during discussions, and save time, as there is no need to reproduce student handouts.