Great math instruction for gifted and high-potential learners goes beyond procedural fluency. It invites students into mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and discourse. Project LIFT Math Lessons are a comprehensive set of free, standards-aligned math lesson plans developed through a Javits Grant by the University of Connecticut’s Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. These lessons are designed to deepen conceptual understanding while highlighting critical and creative thinking in early mathematics classrooms.
What Makes Project LIFT Unique?
The Project LIFT initiative focuses on equipping teachers to recognize and nurture high-potential academic behaviors through thoughtfully designed instruction. In mathematics, this means embedding opportunities for students to hypothesize, justify, represent ideas, and engage collaboratively with peers around meaningful mathematical tasks (read more about Project LIFT here).
Highlights from the Math Lessons
Although the full packet includes lessons spanning early grades, key features include:
- Clear alignment with grade-level standards while offering rich extensions for deeper thinking.
- Activities that promote productive struggle and reasoning over rote computation.
- Tasks structured to encourage mathematical discourse and multiple solution pathways.
Example Task: Counting Cupcakes
One featured example from Project LIFT is “Counting Cupcakes,” a lesson that invites students to explore combinations, patterns, and reasoning through a real-world context. Lessons like this make concepts tangible while encouraging students to explain their thinking and build arguments, which are key components of advanced mathematical reasoning. See more lessons listed in the Project LIFT index.
Supporting Gifted and High-Potential Learners in Math
Teachers can leverage Project LIFT Math lessons to:
- Observe evidence of high-potential behaviors including problem posing, flexibility of thinking, and persistence.
- Use rich tasks as entry points for small group extensions or differentiated challenges.
- Facilitate classroom talk that helps students articulate and critique mathematical ideas.
Strategies for Classroom Use
- Begin lessons with open questions to activate student thinking and curiosity.
- Facilitate reflection with prompts such as “How did you approach that problem?” and “Can someone explain another way to solve it?”
- Use extension prompts to challenge advanced learners without giving away answers.
How to Use It
Project LIFT Math lessons work well in a variety of instructional settings:
- As enrichment or extension within a general education math block.
- In gifted pull-out or cluster group settings.
- As professional learning examples for improving math discourse and task design.
- For parents or homeschool educators seeking challenging, concept-driven math experiences.
The open-ended nature of the tasks allows teachers to meet students where they are while still pushing thinking forward.
In Sum
The Project LIFT Math lessons are a powerful free resource for educators who want to enliven mathematics instruction with challenge, reasoning, and engagement. Whether used in mixed-ability classrooms or gifted settings, these lessons support deep mathematical understanding and talent development.
Your Turn
Have you used rich math tasks like those in Project LIFT with your students or children? What strategies have helped promote meaningful math discourse? Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below. ~Ann
Teaching for Talent 