What is the best way to approach tutoring a gifted student in reading to promote her further development as an advanced reader.

Question

The child wants to develop new skills and vocabulary and wants stimulating materials.

Answer 1

Not sure of the readers age or reading level, so here are some basics.

When a reader can lean into their passions, it can take them to a lot of amazing places.

I would encourage the reader to pursue the topics that fascinate them, even beyond what may be their current reading level.

Additionally, I always try to advise people to 'become their own algorithm'.

1. You like this topic, read about adjacent topics. If you like the American Civil War, what about Civil Wars and revolutions in other areas of the world? Or the American Revolution? Or move to Biographies. If you like reading about Space Travel, why not add in more Science Fiction, and also Biography and History?
2. You like this writer, read their other works. Many writers explore a variety of topics and genres. Digging down on a writer's other works can open unexpected doors.
3. Read the writers who influence your favorite writers. Like Stephen King? Read Richard Matheson.

Finally, depending upon the age level, I still think keeping a notebook and a decent printed dictionary around is a great idea. Write down those new words. Turn pages to find them in the dictionary. Find out their etymology. Find new words while you are in the dictionary.

If they are looking at building their vocabulary and writing skills, I recommend this little exercise:

Subscribe to a Word a Day email. Each day when you get the new word, write it in a new sentence to create an ongoing week or month long story. Just one sentence a day.

Answer 2

To promote the reading development of a gifted reader, the best approach would be providing instructional strategies for developing greater insights into the subtleties of literary selections, understanding nuances of meaning, and mastering advanced-level informational content. Choice in reading materials is one of the essential components of a reading program for gifted and talented readers, however, It is important for these students to be exposed to a wide range of genre, styles, and topics, and to learn how to discern good from mediocre literature. Tutor guidance (prodding!) might be in order to broaden their repertoire of reading materials.