TeachersFirst's Gifted in any Classroom: Helpful Background
Start • Helpful Background • Differentiating Academic Content • Respecting Creativity• Personalized Connections • Organization for a Sane Classroom
This collection of resources provides background information on definitions of giftedness, characteristics of gifted students, and strategies for working with gifted students. Any teacher working with gifted students in a regular classroom will find helpful background to better understand these students and strategies for teaching them.
Remember that no two gifted students are alike, and any one "characteristic" may not show in all gifted students. The list of characteristics here offer general information that is true of many gifted students. Don't miss the myths! There is much misinformation about gifted children and teens.
Learn more and collaborate with other teachers of gifted students by joining a Twitter chat #gtchat or searching the #TAGT hashtag. Even if you cannot attend the live chat, you can search and post using the hashtags to connect with other teachers and ask for help or ideas. Learn more about Twitter for teachers here.
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Mensa for Kids - Mensa Foundation
Grades
K to 9
Mensa for Kids provides free, high-quality resources for kids and educators that promote empowering intelligence in children. To promote reading across a variety of genres, take advantage...more
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Mensa for Kids provides free, high-quality resources for kids and educators that promote empowering intelligence in children. To promote reading across a variety of genres, take advantage of the Excellence in Reading Program. This program provides reading lists by grade categories that students print, then rate books on a five-star system. Complete the entire list and return to Mensa for Kids to receive a free t-shirt! Select the "Teach" category to find lesson plans and TED Connection Guides for classroom use. The Games portion of the site shares math and language activities shared in conjunction with Arcademics, reviewed here.
tag(s): africa (148), colors (63), genetics (80), geometric shapes (134), gifted (66), hurricanes (32), literature (221), probability (99), STEM (297), stories and storytelling (58), writing (324)
In the Classroom
Enrollment in Mensa isn't required to take advantage of the many resources found on this site for all students. Use the reading lists as a starting point for stocking your class library or a student reading list for the current school year. Encourage students to complete the reading list and return to Mensa for a free t-shirt. Incorporate the lesson plans into your existing curriculum, then differentiate learning as you adapt to student needs. For example, use the Book Review Writing lesson to help students understand the difference between reviews and reports. This lesson also includes specific information on what to have with book reports. Begin by teaching this lesson in small groups, then use FigJam, reviewed here, to create a frame for each of the main topics. Enhance student learning by asking students to add sticky notes with their observations and thoughts. Have your group work together to share their book review using a simple to use blogging tool such as Telegraph, reviewed here. Extend learning further by creating a class podcast sharing book reviews created through the lesson process found on Mensa for Kids. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is a free tool for creating and publishing podcasts that is appropriate for students of all ages. Use Buzzsprout to record and share book reviews throughout the school year.
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Nourishing Gifted Through Technology in Any Classroom - TeachersFirst/Melissa Henning and Candace Hackett Shively
Grades
K to 12These pages, originally the support pages for a presentation at the ISTE conference 2014, offer resources, tools, and tips to nourish the needs of gifted in your classroom, along with...more
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These pages, originally the support pages for a presentation at the ISTE conference 2014, offer resources, tools, and tips to nourish the needs of gifted in your classroom, along with sanity savers to organize your multitasking class and your oftentimes "scattered" gifted learners. Find a multitude of reviewed tools, resources, and connections available via technology, so gifted students can work with differentiated academic content, leverage technology to foster their creativity, join in digital collaborations to extend the curriculum through individual interests, and even establish digital "me-portfolios." Start with the Helpful Background, basics about gifted students, and move through several pages to help you plan appropriate activities for your gifted students-- and help them be involved in the planning, as well. The authors of this article are both experienced teachers of gifted, so their suggestions are based on practical experience, not just "theory."
tag(s): differentiation (84), gifted (66)
In the Classroom
Mark these pages in your Favorites as a reference whenever you have gifted students. These students may or may not be officially identified, but sometimes trying these strategies will save you and the student a lot of frustration. When it comes time to offer choices, share the handpicked tool collections in this article with your gifted students so they have a solid place to start. For more ideas about gifted, try the gifted tag in reviews, use a keyword search including the term "gifted," or browse for the subject "Gifted" in the TeachersFirst Subject/Grade pages.The Poor Neglected Gifted child, left behind - Amy Crawford
Grades
K to 12Are gifted children being left behind? This article takes an in-depth look at gifted education. Explore the reasons why it may not receive priority in our current education system in...more
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Are gifted children being left behind? This article takes an in-depth look at gifted education. Explore the reasons why it may not receive priority in our current education system in all aspects including funding and identification of giftedness. Read through long-term research results and discussions of the No Child Left Behind Act to gain the author's perspective of the challenges we face in meeting the needs of our gifted student population.
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tag(s): gifted (66)
In the Classroom
Print this article as a resource for discussions when planning gifted programs and curriculum. Share with others in your building and district for use during professional development sessions. Share with parents as a resource for information on gifted education in the United States.How to Spot a Gifted Student - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12See the most common characteristics of gifted students explained in a format that offers both the positive and possibly negative aspects of typical gifted kids (not that there is such...more
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See the most common characteristics of gifted students explained in a format that offers both the positive and possibly negative aspects of typical gifted kids (not that there is such a thing as "typical"). This pro-con style list can help you sort what appear to be behavior or attitude problems from what may be "side effects" of giftedness. The shift in perspective will help you rethink what may be going on inside the head of a challenging child or student.
tag(s): gifted (66)
In the Classroom
Read and bookmark this list so it stays fresh in your mind, especially as you get to know new students or try not to become frustrated with a particular student in your class. Confer with your colleagues to find out what next steps are possible if you see these characteristics. Talk to your school counselor to find out about possibilities for gifted screening. At the very least, look into past test results, especially those that measure ability, not necessarily achievement. The underachieving gifted student can be particularly hard to figure out! Find strategies for working with the gifted in a regular classroom via the link at the bottom of the page.What Is Giftedness? - National Association for Gifted Children
Grades
K to 12Find current definitions of giftedness in the U.S. as explained by NAGC. See the variations between legal and clinical/research-based definitions. The brief history of gifted is informative...more
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Find current definitions of giftedness in the U.S. as explained by NAGC. See the variations between legal and clinical/research-based definitions. The brief history of gifted is informative and lends some perspective on where gifted programs began. For more information, explore the many useful links.
tag(s): gifted (66)
In the Classroom
Read and bookmark this in your professional resources as a "must-know." If you have students in your class who may be gifted or parents who ask about whether their child should be identified as gifted, this is a good place to start. Remember, however, that most states have their own legal definitions. For a more practical, observational way of "spotting" gifted students, see How to Spot a Gifted Student.The Do's and Don'ts of Instruction: What it Means to Teach Gifted Learners Well - Carol Ann Tomlinson, Ed.D
Grades
K to 12This short article offers specific information on general indicators of appropriate and inappropriate instruction for gifted students. Each of the 11 statements offers a general topic...more
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This short article offers specific information on general indicators of appropriate and inappropriate instruction for gifted students. Each of the 11 statements offers a general topic of information. Specific examples are also provided. Sample ideas include addressing good and appropriate curriculum while avoiding putting gifted students in the role as a classroom tutor. As a conclusion, the article reminds us that "What it takes to teach gifted learners well is actually a little common sense."
tag(s): gifted (66)
In the Classroom
Read through this article for ideas on appropriate instruction for gifted learners in your classroom. Print and save this article (or bookmark on your computer) to include with your gifted teaching resources. Share this article during professional development sessions in your school and with parents of gifted students.Dispelliing Common Myths in Gifted Education - National Association for Gifted Children
Grades
K to 12Take a close look at myths versus truths in Gifted Education at this informative site. Topics range from identification of gifted students through information on accelerated options....more
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Take a close look at myths versus truths in Gifted Education at this informative site. Topics range from identification of gifted students through information on accelerated options. Browse through a series of over 10 myths related to Gifted Education and then view a short discussion of the truth. Each set of truths includes links to further information on the National Association for Gifted Children's website. You will find articles, studies, and webpages related to the specific myth being addressed.
tag(s): gifted (66)
In the Classroom
Share information from this site during professional development sessions in your school as a resource for properly serving your gifted population. Use information from this site when holding parent conferences as a resource for research on gifted education.Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted - SENG
Grades
1 to 12Change lives and futures of gifted and talented individuals by gaining a more comprehensive view of being gifted. SENG's mission is to empower families and communities to help gifted...more
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Change lives and futures of gifted and talented individuals by gaining a more comprehensive view of being gifted. SENG's mission is to empower families and communities to help gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Various of programs offer education either through home study courses, annual conferences, online parent support groups, or ways to establish a parent support group in your area. Continuing education credits are offered for health care professionals or any interested individual. Find a health care provider in your own area. Free materials further explain medical misdiagnosis for Gifted, Emotional Health, Twice Gifted, ADHD, Roles for Health Care Professionals, and more. An extensive free library of print, audio, and video resources helps explain the need of gifted and talented students and how to advocate for them. Find links to other gifted organizations, books, and downloadable informational brochures.
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tag(s): emotions (49), gifted (66), social and emotional learning (102)
In the Classroom
Have questions about a gifted child or a child you suspect to be gifted? Teach a gifted and talented group? Answer many of your own questions and also parent questions with an amazing amount of information available. Sponsor a parent night for Gifted Students and offer and feature many of the resources highlighted. Be sure you have a strong base of your own knowledge of the needs of gifted and talented students. Keep up to date with latest research and information.
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National Association for Gifted Children - National Association for Gifted Children
Grades
K to 12Support the needs of high potential learners through information and resources available at the National Association for Gifted Children. Explore the Educators part of the site to find...more
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Support the needs of high potential learners through information and resources available at the National Association for Gifted Children. Explore the Educators part of the site to find Gifted Programming Standards, Content Connection resources by subject area, and Teacher's Corner articles (including archives dating back to 2008). The Parents section of the site offers tools for parents, articles, and information on summer camps and programs. Although labeled for Administrators, this section of the site has important information for anyone working with gifted students. Here you will find many videos, fact sheets, and other important information and statistics that relate to gifted education.
tag(s): gifted (66), professional development (385)
In the Classroom
Bookmark the National Association for Gifted Children site to use as a resource throughout the year for information on meeting the needs of your gifted population. Share this site with administrators, staff members, and parents of gifted students. Print and use brochures and fact sheets during parent teacher conferences as a resource for guiding gifted instruction and informing parents on best practice when teaching gifted students.
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