Understanding Our Gifted

Guidelines for Writers, 2009

Understanding Our Gifted is a quarterly journal published by Open Space Communications LLC. The readers of this publication are teachers, parents, and counselors of high ability students, in the United States and around the world. Through this publication, we seek to help adults better understand the academic and psychological needs of these students. Specifically, parents are offered insights into the development and characteristics of bright children and techniques for helping to positively support and challenge these children. Teachers are presented with research and perspectives for understanding highly able students in their classrooms as well as tools to provide academically for these students. Above all, we want adults to look at kids as individuals with unique needs that we must try to meet. We seek to explore many different theories and methodologies for understanding and working with gifted students.

It is not the intent of this publication to be a venue for complaining about things that haven’t worked for bright students; instead, we provide information about what can and does work and empower parents and teachers with information to help gifted children be the best they can be. 

Though many of our writers are affiliated with universities, this is not an academic journal; therefore, we prefer a more relaxed style of writing that is filled with anecdotal information and examples with real “human” elements. When using children as examples to illustrate points, please use fictitious names so that we do not need to ask for parental permission.

We do have space considerations and ask that if references are used they be limited in number, preferably no more than 10. We do not use footnotes.

Our style is based on:

• Chicago Manual of Style
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

The following must accompany your article:

• A short biography of 2-3 sentences

• Current position

• Contact information (email address, postal address, phone)

If there are multiple authors, this information must be included for each author. 

Each issue also includes columns that address practical issues or opinions. These include parenting techniques, classroom ideas, online resources, affective issues, book reviews, etc. These columns vary in length from 600-3000 words.

We are always open to fresh ideas and suggestions and welcome your thoughts and proposals.

FORMAT: We prefer that manuscripts be submitted electronically as Microsoft Word attachments. However, we can often work with other word processing programs. The manuscript should be double-spaced, typed in 12-point font, preferably in Times New Roman, with four spaces between paragraphs. Do not indent paragraphs. Use only one space between sentences. Please do not send documents in print format.

Though tables and charts are welcome, do not embellish manuscripts with graphics, WordArt, boxes around titles, etc.

Since Understanding Our Gifted is printed in black and white, graphics and charts must be submitted in black and white. Please submit in a TIFF file. If you are unable to submit a TIFF or have questions, contact our publication office.  

Each graphic or chart should be sent in a separate document with an easily recognizable name, such as “Table 1” or “Figure 3,” making sure that each graphic has been referenced within the text (e.g., “Insert Figure 1 Here”).