thinking outside the box understanding your gifted child
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Thinking Outside the Box Understanding Your Gifted Child. Developed by Charlene Mutter, Coordinator Curriculum, Assessment & Staff Development. Myth Gifted children are physically weak and socially inept. Gifted children do everything well. Fact - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Thinking Outside the BoxUnderstanding Your Gifted Child
Developed by
Charlene Mutter, Coordinator Curriculum, Assessment & Staff Development
Myths About GiftednessMyth
Gifted children are physically weak and socially inept.
Gifted children do everything well.
Fact Gifted children as
a group tend to be healthy and well adjusted.
Some are gifted in many areas, others in only one.
Myths About GiftednessMyth
Giftedness is a stable trait, evident in all periods of life.
Gifted children are born that way and will succeed because of their innate giftedness.
Fact Some last the
lifespan, others can fade in adulthood.
Gifted children are born with a potential to excel, but if their potential is not nurtured at home and in school, it can fail to develop.
Definition of Giftedness
From the United States Office of Education (1972)
“Giftedness is potential or demonstrated achievement in any one of six specific areas or a combination of two or more…”
Areas of Giftedness General
intellectual ability Specific academic
aptitude Creative or
productive thinking Leadership ability Visual or
performing arts Psychomotor
ability
Definitions of Giftedness (Part 2)
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) provides the following definition of giftedness:
Someone who shows or has the potential for showing an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression
Some abilities are general such as leadership and the ability to think creatively
Some abilities are specific and evident only in particular circumstances, such as a special aptitude in mathematics, science or music
NAGC Definition (continued)• The term giftedness
provides a general reference to a spectrum of abilities without being specific or dependent on a single measure or index.
• Generally about five percent of the student population (about three million children) are considered gifted.
Expanded Definition of Giftedness…
Think outside the box Explore the complexity
of a problem Are accelerated in their
subject of strength Enjoy the novelty of a
problem Dig deep below the
surface to find answers
Gifted children are those who often:
Gifted students also often:
Achieve mastery in 1-2 repetitions
Have intense curiosity
Have high motivation Naturally use higher
level thinking skills Have acute sensitivity
Howard Gardner’s Seven Intelligences
IntelligenceLogical-mathematical
Linguistic
Musical
Career ChoiceScientist,
mathematician
Poet, journalist
Composer, violinist
Howard Gardner’s Seven Intelligences
IntelligenceSpatial
Bodily-kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Career ChoiceNavigator, sculptor
Dancer, athlete
Therapist, salesman
Motivational speaker
Portrait of a High Achiever Knows the answer Is interested Has good ideas Understands ideas Completes
assignments Grasps meaning Listens with interest Absorbs information Is receptive
Portrait of a Gifted Student Asks the question Is curious May have unexpected
ideas Constructs abstractions Initiates projects Draws inferences Demonstrates strong
opinions Manipulates information Is critical
In the classroom the high achiever will…
Complete all homework on time
Be organized Work neatly Be concerned about
format and project requirements
Control group projects Maintain perfect
attendance Strive for an A Follow all the rules
The gifted student often will… Forget to complete
assignments Focus on a unique aspect
of an assignment or project Be disorganized Ask deep questions about a
topic Spend hours on research
and minutes on presentation
Not care about the grade Challenge the rules
How do I know if my child is gifted?
Remember, only about 3-5% of the population are identified as “gifted” in any particular area.
Keep in mind that children can be gifted in a variety of ways.
Recognize that intellectually gifted children are not always high achievers.
Consider the evidence… How does your child seem to stand out or
excel compared to others of their age? Look at a variety of data including
standardized tests, district assessments and grades
Examine your child’s projects, essays and class work over time
Consider special gifts and talents in the arts Observe your child’s choices… books they
read, projects they select, activities Listen to the child’s questions, ideas,
requests, etc.
Other thoughts…Most importantly, keep
in mind that whether technically gifted or not, ALL children have talents and abilities; help your child to find their special gifts and nurture their talents and interests.
How can I help my child? Check on class work
and projects Ask probing
questions and listen to answers
Take trips to the library, museums and local festivals
Attend concerts, plays and special events
How can I learn more?Attend parent meetings and
seminarsJoin the National Association
for Gifted Children (www.nagc.org/)
Join the California Associaton for the Gifted (www.CAGifted.org/)
Read journalsAttend conferences
Even More Resources… Gifted Child Quarterly (
www.NAGC.org)
Gifted Child Today (www.Prufrock.com)
EPGY Educational Program for Gifted Youth (http://www-epgy.stanford.edu/)
Center for Talented Youth at the Johns Hopkins University (http://www.jhu.edu/~gifted/)
The Gifted Child Society(http://www.Gifted.org/)