Use word puzzles or exercises that engage a student's cognitive processes. Have students write down lists of words with instructions regarding their beginning or ending letter. For example, ask them to write a list of words that begin with the letter "n" and a second list of words that end with the letter "k." Challenge students by having them write sequence sentences in which each successive word begins with a letter in an alphabetical sequence. Demonstrate this puzzle by writing "A balloon comes down easily" on the blackboard. Ask them to write a sequence sentence starting with the letter "m" or "r."
Have students experiment with the use of classification and analogies to build critical thinking skills. Write a list of random objects on the blackboard, such as "scissors," "mirror," "cup," "fork," "chair," "desk," "cracker" and "clock." Ask students to create general categories that these objects might fall under and sort the objects accordingly. For example, write "things to make art" or "things on a dining table" to demonstrate how to conceive of a category. Play a mix and match game to explore the use of analogies. Tape a picture of a night sky on the blackboard. Ask students to compare the twinkling stars to different objects that also twinkle but can be held in their hand. For example, hold up a shiny piece of metal or a crystal. Have students write analogies about the dark sky, stars, clouds and the moon in the picture.
Extend the typical activity for second graders in which they identify the main idea and topic of expository text by having them answer the "who, what, where, when, why and how" aspects of the text and distinguish fact from opinion, according to David A. Sousa's "How the Gifted Brain Learns." Challenge them to point out how the text is organized and referenced. For example, have gifted readers locate the table of contents, headers, captions, title, italics and bold print. Ask them to identify both the print and web-based resources used for the text, such as almanacs, dictionaries, periodicals and websites.
Have children choose a famous person they would like to invite for dinner. Ask them to write a paragraph explaining why they would want to have dinner with that person. Challenge them to write a list of questions that they would like to ask that person. Have them write three things that they would like to tell their guest about themselves. Hand out construction paper and arts supplies. Instruct them to compose and decorate a menu for the dinner, writing down the main dish, side courses and desserts.