Understanding Gifted and Talented
A Resource Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Students
What is Gifted and Talented?
Characteristics
- reasons abstractly
- solves difficult problems
- learns quickly
- has wide interests
- shows intellectual curiosity
- generalizes learning
- adapts to new learning strategies
- highly motivated by academic tasks
- criticizes self
- empathizes
- shows individualism
- is intense
- has a strong character
- persists
- plays with older friends
- takes risks
- is concerned with ethical issues
- demonstrates leadership abilities
- experiences stress from failure
Prevalence
The Bell Curve & Special Education
Multiple Intelligence Theory
Classroom Struggles
Classroom Accomodations
Enrichment: This is another strategy used with GT students. Enrichment is presenting more material for a specific subject, often going more in-depth than regular classroom instruction. This can be accomplished one-on-one, in a small group setting, or a whole classroom.
Other Accommodations Include:
- incorporating child's interests in the classroom
- teach self-learning strategies
- use technology to further learning
- compact the curriculum to cover more material in shorter time
- allow GT students to "tutor" other peers in the classroom
Below are linked three websites to help teachers in accommodating GT students.
What can parents of GT students do?
- encourage independent learning
- interact with other parents of GT students
- enroll students in weekend or summer programs that interest their child
- facilitate expansion of learning through educational day trips
Below is a website containing a large list of resources for parents of GT students.
Website Resources
APP for Students who are GT
References
Gifted, Creative, and Talented. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/gifted-creative-talented-children/
Manno, M. (2012, December 6). Blog. Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://teach.com/education-technology/engaging-gifted-and-talented-students
Giftedness Defined. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://www.nsgt.org/giftedness-defined/