1. (Teacher’s Observation of Potential in Students)
Module 4: TOPS
(Teacher’s Observation of Potential in Students)
Level 1: Introduction
Recognizing Potential
Mary Ruth Coleman, PhD and Sneha Shah-Coltrane, MA
U-STARS~PLUS
Using Science, Talents, and Abilities to Recognize Students~
Promoting Learning for Underrepresented Students
© 2011 CEC

2. To appropriately recognize potential in students,
A teacher must know what to look for.
Classroom responses should support high-end learning.
The classroom climate should be emotionally supportive, so children will show us their best.

3. U-STARS~PLUS “The Big Star”
Teacher’s Systematic
Observations

4. Systematic observation: Recognizing outstanding potential

5. With a teacher’s eye, we see our students every day, and through our observations we come to know them. We also learn about their family situations, their interests, and their habits. Because our knowledge of our students is often deep and comprehensive, we are likely to be able to recognize the indicators of potential that others may miss.
Coleman, M. R. (2005, Fall). With the eyes of a teacher. Teaching for High Potential, 1-2.

6. In what ways can TOPS help you…
Recognize strengths in a your students?
Think differently about the needs of your students?
Plan your instruction?
Communicate with others in a more positive way?

7. What do you notice about the
TOPS forms?

8. TOPS… Starts with an observation of the whole class.
Moves to individual observations of some individual children.

9. Nine principal domains guide the observations.
These domains encompass areas where a child’s strength shows indications of high potential.
Specific behaviors within each domain are examples of strength in this domain.

10. TOPS Nine Principal Domains
Learns easily
Shows advanced skills
Displays curiosity and creativity
Has strong interests
Shows advanced reasoning and problem solving
Displays spatial abilities
Shows motivation
Shows social perceptiveness
Displays leadership

11. Recognizing Potential Through Observations of Student Behaviors
Reflect on the behaviors that may indicate a strength in a domain.
For each category, jot down the name of a student you have taught or person you have known who exemplifies this domain for you.
What is their story?

12. Recognizing Potential
Through Observations
Domain 1: Learns Easily
Domain 2: Shows Advanced Skills
Domain 3: Displays Curiosity and Creativity

13. Recognizing Potential
Through Observations
Domain 4: Has Strong Interests
Domain 5: Shows Advanced Reasoning and Problem Solving
Domain 6: Displays Spatial Abilities

14. Recognizing Potential
Through Observations
Domain 7: Shows Motivation
Domain 8: Shows Social Perceptiveness
Domain 9: Displays Leadership

15. Your Personal Norm- Referenced Group
The individuals you named will serve as your personal reference for each domain. The students you have taught over the years serve as your personal norm-referenced group. Thinking of these individuals and your students should help as you work to spot the strengths in your students.
Remember that we need to actively search for potential in all of our students!

16. In what ways can TOPS help you…
Recognize strengths in a your students?
Think differently about the needs of your students?
Plan your instruction?
Communicate with others in a more positive way?

17. TOPS Helps teachers to … Recognize students with outstanding potential
Gifted characteristics manifest over time in multiple settings
Behaviors include both “teacher-pleasing” and “non-teacher-pleasing”
Viewing all students as “at potential” versus “at risk”
Whole class  individual basis
Inform instruction
Areas of student strengths and needs
Creating an observable classroom environment

18. TOPS This teacher tool also helps to… Communicate with parents
Use during conferences as a talking point
Be clear and specific, while supportive and productive
Gain parents’ insight
Share with other teachers – over time and settings
Pass information on to next year’s teachers
Share with other teachers involved with student; more complete picture
Don’t reinvent the wheel! Pass on your experience and expertise!

19. “Be careful how you view the world: It is that way.”
(Johannes Kepler, )
= You get what you look for