Gifted, Creative, & Challenging

It is only February, and I already feel the "end of the school-year" swiftly approaching.  I attended a meeting for parents and students at the High School a few days ago. The meeting highlighted the importance of setting goals and planning ahead, so I was inspired to investigate some ways to help my 5th and 6th-grade students to begin planning ahead.  In my research, I ran across this book, Inspiring Middle School Minds: Gifted, Creative, & Challenging.  Judy A Willis, M.D., M.Ed wrote the book in an effort help parents and teachers encourage and motivate their children as they move into middle school.  Dr. Willis draws upon her medical background in neurology to describe what happens in the brain as a child undergoes the distinct challenges of becoming a teenager.