Michael Clay Thompson Videos

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Teachers of gifted programs who have participated in a Michael Clay Thompson workshop, or who have seen him give a keynote speech at a gifted conference, know that he is an inspiring and passionate speaker. Here we offer some short excerpts from a presentation at the National Curriculum Network Conference at the College of William and Mary in March 2008.

Watch them to see why Michael believes gifted children need a rigorous training in language arts. Share them with others in your gifted program to give them a flavor of Michael Clay Thompson's unique philosophy. Check back from time to time as we add more clips. ... and let us know what you think!

Michael Clay Thompson tells teachers why gifted students need to be taught grammar, and classic words. Since grammar became unfashionable in school curricula, the School Board is now going 'crazy' realizing that students don't know how to write... except in journals. It amounts to a great disservice to gifted children.

Formal language study has all but disappeared from schools. This is to the disadvantage of gifted students who need to learn how to write correctly for their future studies and careers. Michael Clay Thompson explains what has happened and why he is concentrating on formal writing books in the next part of his Language Arts Curriculum from Royal Fireworks Press.

Michael addresses what he sees as a 'National Vocabulary Prevention Program'.

Hear Michael Clay Thompson read the "amazing" opening paragraph of The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He then explains away some of the myths about teaching students how to write.