Gifted and Talented Students
Working with a gifted student can be a joy and a frustration
A motivated student who works hard, gets straight A's, and behaves well in class may not be gifted. A student who doesn't perform well, is disruptive, and clowns around in class may well be gifted. This can be frustrating to classroom teachers. Just as you adapt to the needs of disabled students, working with gifted students can require classroom and curriculum modifications. But, the results can be highly rewarding for both teachers and students.
What sets gifted children apart from other students in the classroom?
It is primarily the ability to absorb abstract concepts, organize them more effectively, and apply them more appropriately. The gifted student learns new information quickly, retains information easily, masters reading skills earlier, demonstrates strong abilities in math, finishes classwork quickly, but gets bored easily, can be disruptive in class, completes work quickly but sloppily, shows strong resistance to repetitive activities and memorization.
I AM GIFTED
- Create an independent project activity. Many gifted and talented students tend to have a lot of extra time on their hands because they finish their work quickly.
- Design and plan assignments or projects that go above and beyond to keep the interest of a gifted student.
- Don't turn the gifted student into a tutor or teachers aide. Instead, fins a mentor who is willing to work with him or her in an area of interest.