Giftedness Aisha Sultan AlQassimi H

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Definition According to US federal definition, 1988, gifted are children and youth who have demonstrated or potential high performance ability in intellectual, creative, academic areas or the performing arts. (Friend & Bursuck, 2012). The UK government defines ‘gifted’ as those teenagers and children who consistently attain exceptional academic performance. (Hoogh, 2009). Yet, giftedness is also referred to educational abilities while talent is referred to as non-educational skills (Porter, 2005). Another common view adapted in schools in UK, US, and Australia, is by Joseph Renzulli: three ringed conception of giftedness. (Goodhew, 2009)

Three ringed conception of giftedness by Joseph Renzulli

Myths about gifted and talented students If they are smart, they will be successful “Cream always rises to the top. ” All gifted children are recognizable from a young age, so identify them young and the job is done. (Goodhew, 2009)

Types of giftedness Intellectual giftedness Academic giftedness (Porter, 2005)

Intellectual giftedness Refers to children who are already keen observers of their surroundings. They have advanced cognitive skills, which can be apparent even from birth (Porter, 2005). Milestones Environment Memory Metacognition (Porter, 2005) Features: Excellent memory Long attention span Fluent and flexible thinking (“Traits and Characteristics of Gifted Children,” n.d.)

Academic giftedness Intellectually gifted children are not necessarily academically gifted. “I am just more curious than the average person and I will not give up on a problem until I have found the proper solution.” ― Albert Einstein (“Goodreads: Albert Einstein,” n.d.) If young children are reading before school age without teaching, this means that they are gifted (Porter, 2005). Intelligence Creativity High potential "Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration." ― Thomas Edison (“Learn about academic giftedness,”n.d.).

Other characteristics Emotionally, they have high energy levels (Clark, n.d.). Prefer reading books that are meant for older children. Prefer being with older children and adults. (“Traits and Characteristics of Gifted Children,” n.d.)

Prodigies (Porter, 2005)

(Goldring, C, 2012) 3 Extraordinary Kid Geniuses

(Goldring, C, 2012)

Francis Galton “Gifted Children” Exceptional talents The potential to be gifted is genetic. In the early 1900s – Lewis Terman expanded Galton’s view and contained high IQs. * He started his study of gifted children, that he defined as children with IQs of 140 or more. * He found out that IQ alone could not predict success in adulthood (Bainbridge, n.d.). History and terminology psychology/intelligence/intelli gence-testing/lewis-terman- and-iq/ research/entry/the_wit_and_ wisdom_of_sir_francis_galto n/

Leta Hollingworth, believed that the potential to be gifted is inherited. *Nurturing at home and school are important to develop the potential. In 1926, she published her book, Gifted Children, Their Nature and Nurture, and the term gifted has been used ever since to refer to children of high potential (Bainbridge, n.d.). In the mid-twentieth century, the UK teaching profession was trying to avoid elitism so gifted children were not identified. In 1980s, NACE, the national association for able children in education, Gifted able - so it is not linked to the middle-class. (Goodhew, 2009)

Policy of integration/inclusion “The Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates supports the national and international educational philosophy of inclusion, which means that being educated in regular education classrooms with peers in their age range, in their neighbourhood schools with necessary supports is the optimal environment to meet the educational, social, emotional and vocational needs of individuals with special needs”. Hameed Mohammed Al Qatamy Minister of Education According to the MOE of the UAE, gifted and talented refers to having exceptional ability in intelligence, creativity, academic skills or special talents and abilities such as poetry, drawing, handicrafts, or sports. (“General Rules for the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services.” n.d.)

Accommodations The MOE in the UAE provides many services to gifted and talented students such as: Enrichment programs in the normal classes Additional services: giving students individual projects Participating in educational competitions and programs (“General Rules for the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services.” n.d.) Article handout

Other ways of accommodating Provide alternatives for students who finish their work early. Assess students individually instead of as a group. Pre-test your gifted student before starting a new unit to see what information they already have. (“General accommodations for gifted students,” n.d.).

Laws UAE Federal Law 29 of 2006 states that “no school in the UAE can refuse admission to a child as having learning difficulties or special needs, and schools are expected to provide for these children from Kindergarten to Grade 9”. The UAE MOE plans to spend AED 10 million converting another 18 public schools to aid in special needs education. It has already converted 10 schools, and plans to advance 110 schools by (“Special needs education in the UAE,” n.d.)

Gifted Individualized Educational Plan (GIEP) Help them learn at different paces Learn difficult materials earlier Think at a level different from their classmates The GIEP must be matched to the identified need, age, and level of the individual student. Each GIEP must be unique from one student to another. Sample (Sample GIEP, n.d.)

Assistive technology Handout

Professionals involved in diagnoses Parents Pediatrician Clinical psychologist Teachers Educational psychologist (in the schools: social workers or special needs’ specialists). (“How to Diagnose Giftedness in Children,” n.d.)

Assessments Scales for Identifying Gifted Students – SIGS Gifted and Talented Evaluation Scale – GATES Creative Thinking Assessments Multiple Intelligence Survey (Sample GIEP, n.d.)

Example from the UAE: Emirates Association for the Talented Measuring high levels of intelligence and special abilities. Providing excellent educational programs Adopting gifted students’ ideas and creations. Dahi Khalfan (“Emirates Association for the Talented,” n.d.)

References Bainbridge, C (n.d.). Definitions of Gifted. In giftedkids. Retrieved from Clark, B. (n.d.). Social-Emotional Characteristics of Gifted Children. In education. Retrieved from children/ children/ Emirates Association for the Talented. (n.d.). Retrieved from Friend, M, & Bursuck, W.D (2012). Including Students With Special Needs : A practical guide for classroom teachers (6 th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. General accommodations for gifted students. (n.d.). Retrieved from General Rules for the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services: Public & Private Schools. (n.d.). In School for All. Retrieved from Goodhew, G (2009). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented students. London: Continuum International Publishing Group.

Goldring, C. (2012). 6 Extraordinary Kid Geniuses. In takepart. Retrieved from Goodreads: Albert Einstein, quotes (n.d.). Retrieved from being being Hoogh, S. (2009). Giftedness. In giftedness. Retrieved from How to Diagnose Giftedness in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from Learn about academic giftedness. (n.d.). Retrieved from Porter, L (2005). Gifted young children: a guide for teachers and parents (2 nd ed.). Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin. Sample GIEP. (n.d.). Retrieved from vices/Sample%20Gifted%20individualized%20Education%20Plan%20(GIEP)%20Sample.pdf vices/Sample%20Gifted%20individualized%20Education%20Plan%20(GIEP)%20Sample.pdf Special needs education in the UAE. (n.d.). Retrieved from Traits and Characteristics of Gifted Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from