Compacting Curriculum

By: Michelle Pantel Updated: September 2022

Compacting (developed by Dr. Joseph Renzulli and Linda Smith in 1978) the curriculum for a gifted learner requires students to first complete work in areas they do not have the knowledge or skill expected for that grade, but if they already have the skill or knowledge the student will work on enrichment activities that extend their understanding of the outcome.

Effectively using the compacting strategy involves understanding what the student already knows about the outcome and what they still need to learn to fully understand.  Pre-assessing is a vital component in being able to compact.  Compacting is an excellent way to add breadth and extend an outcome.  Teachers can use compacting so that students do not have to do repetitive work that they already have reached mastery on.  Compacting should allow students to work differently and not make them feel like they just have to do more of what they already know. 

Tips:

• Pre-assessment is critical to understanding where the student is 

• The alternate activities can not feel like more of what they already know 

• Different students will have different areas compacted 

• Compact within a unit or outcome not necessarily for the whole subject area

Possible Enrichment Opportunities:

• Math puzzles and word problems 

• Projects 

• Games that focus on the outcome 

• Critical thinking activities 

• Crossword puzzles 

• Researching 

• Journaling/Blogging 

• Mentor guided experience 

• Word studies 

• Anchor activities specific to subject areas