What Does a GT Student Look Like? Humble ISD G/T Office January 2011

What does the gifted child look like??? “Those who have the ability in one or more learning areas that exceeds grade/age level expectations by two years or more.” Susan Winebrenner in Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom The regular curriculum will not provide the challenge these students need to continue moving forward in their education.

All too often, students are nominated for the G/T program that are: high-achievers teacher pleasers organized turn in their homework on time make all A’s “great” students the “smartest” kid in their class well-behaved and focused on learning

Unfortunately, the student described is a high-achiever with wonderful skills that make him/her excellent students. They are NOT gifted. Teachers and parents nominate “high-achievers” and when they don’t score high enough on the ability or the achievement tests, they don’t understand why. We need to be very careful that we are looking for very specific qualities and behaviors in a student before we nominate them for GT.

A Bright ChildA Gifted Child Knows the answersAsks the questions Is interestedIs highly curious Is attentiveIs mentally and physically involved Has good ideasHas wild, silly ideas Works hardPlays around, yet tests well Answers the questionsDiscusses in detail, elaborates Top groupBeyond the group Listens with interestShows strong feeling and opinions Learns with easeAlready knows 6-8 repetitions for mastery1-2 repetitions for mastery Understands ideasConstructs abstractions

A Bright ChildA Gifted Child Enjoys peersPrefers adults Grasps the meaningInitiates projects Is receptiveIs intense Copies accuratelyCreates a new design Absorbs informationManipulates information TechnicianInventor Good memorizerGood guesser Enjoys straight forward sequential presentation Thrives on complexity Is alertIs keenly observant Is pleased with own learningIs highly self-critical

Can a gifted learner have discipline issues? YES Can a gifted learner choose NOT to do their work? YES Can a gifted learner be precocious? YES Does a gifted learner sometimes like to argue with classmates and even you? YES

Can gifted students be twice-exceptional? (Students with learning challenges…students with ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s, etc.) YES Can gifted students be underachievers? YES Can gifted students have social problems? YES

Points to remember…Look for students that: have an advanced vocabulary and verbal ability demonstrate an ability to work with abstract ideas see patterns, relationships, and connections that others don’t gets your sense of humor want to share everything he/she knows prefer complex and challenging tasks to “basic” work has many unusual interests, hobbies, and collections

prefers to talk to teachers and other adults rather than fellow students high energy level likes to be in charge is sensitive to beauty and other people’s feelings, emotions, expectations very intense outstanding memory is curious about many things and asks endless questions is a keen and alert observer

Characteristics a GT student can also be: resistance in doing the work, or work in a sloppy, careless manner frustration with the pace of the class rebelling against routine and predictability asking embarrassing questions resisting taking direction or orders daydreaming Monopolizing class discussions being bossy with peers and teachers Intolerance of imperfection

becoming super-sensitive to any form of criticism crying easily refusing to conform resisting cooperative learning/wants to work alone acting out or disturbing others becoming the class clown blurting out answers