Ideas for Teaching Gifted and Talented Kids

Gifted students need additional activities in the classroom.

Students found to be gifted and talented are generally those with intellectual abilities in the very superior range (IQ of 130 and above). However, these guidelines vary from state to state. Additionally, each school district often has additional criteria the gifted students must meet. In general, gifted and talented students possess exceptional academic skills, as well as other specified talents, such as outstanding artistic or leadership abilities. To prevent boredom and encourage enrichment, teachers should incorporate enrichment lessons and activities into the regular education curriculum.

"Vertical Enrichment" Activities

Gifted and talented students may benefit from enrichment assignments or projects that go beyond material covered in the regular education classroom. This will offer variety and stimulation, while utilizing their higher level thinking and problem-solving skills. For example, accelerated readers often have read the books being covered in class. Therefore, instead of giving them "more of the same," give them the option of writing a story that parallels the classroom reading. Make sure the gifted students see these activities as rewards and not punishments for being intelligent.

Find a Mentor

Gifted and talented students should not be limited to being peer tutors. Although "playing teacher" can be construed as a reward, you do not want to stifle your gifted child's creativity. Find your students mentors that will work with them in their areas of interest. Find mentors through parents, teachers and local organizations. By tapping outside expertise, you are encouraging your gifted students to reach their full potential. Examples of mentors include historians, museum guides, statisticians, artists and poets.

Incorporate Multiple Intelligence in Class

Developed by Howard Gardner, a Harvard professor, the Theory of Multiple Intelligence is built on the assumption that individuals possess varying degrees of at least seven types of intelligence: linguistic (oral and written language), visual-spatial (recognition of patterns and space), musical (music patterns and composition), logical-mathematical (analyzing and deducing), body-kinesthetic (use of body to solve problems), interpersonal (understanding others) and intrapersonal (understanding self). Incorporating activities into the academic curriculum that involve these kinds of intelligence will ensure students are challenged. For example, during a reading lesson on Shakespeare, act out a play (kinesthetic), listen to music soundtracks (musical) and utilize a Venn Diagram to map out character feelings/motivations/intentions (interpersonal).

Use Bloom's Taxonomy

Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning is a five-tier model of critical thinking, beginning at the most basic level and progressing to the most complex. The first two levels are knowledge and comprehension; however, gifted and talented students should focus on the upper three levels: analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Analysis involves comparing and contrasting, investigating, examining and classifying. This level is often utilized when writing reports, questionnaires or solutions to a mock crime scene. Synthesis involves creating, developing, composing and inventing. Tier examples could include creating stories, games or poems. Evaluation involves ranking, judging and critiquing, such as in book reviews and current events debates.

References

• PDE Gifted Guidelines
• TeachersFirst.com: Needs of Gifted Students
• Multiple Intelligence and Education
• Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning