Academically Gifted Students in Your Classroom

1. Academically Gifted Studentsin Your Classroom  Heidi Shields ED 325 6/16/10

2. Definition of "Gifted" • students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared to others • performance is in either academic fields or intellectual areas, or both • differentiation is required for these students • abilities are present in all cultural groups and economic strata Public Schools of North Carolina. (2009). North Carolina academically or intellectually gifted program              standards. Retrieved from Public Schools of North Carolina website: http://www.ncpublicschools.org        /academicservices/gifted.

3. How does this compare to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences?

4. North Carolina N.G.C.S. 115C-150.5-.8 Article 9B State Definition Mandates Identification and Service Provision United States 1994 Javits Gifted and Talented Students Act grants for under-served gifted populations Unlike IDEA- does not provide protected rights. PL91-230 Marland Report (1972) established definition and need for services Legal Mandates?

5. Behaviors and Characteristics What do they look like?

6. A Continuum.... typical students......gifted students                                minimal......moderate......extensive • to qualify for AIG (Academically or Intellectually Gifted) services in Buncombe county a child needs •     aptitude of 120 •     93%tile achievement in reading or math •     Grade of A or B in reading or math •     teacher recommendation

7. Cognitive features process large amounts of information comprehend at advanced levels high levels of language abstract thinkers longer attention spans generalize original ideas prefer complex work Affective features unusually sensitive to feelings of others inner controls advanced moral judgment keen or subtle sense of humor high expectations of self and others heightened self-awareness Behaviors and Characteristics of gifted students

8. Behaviors and Characteristics, cont'd Atypically gifted student features: • manipulate a symbol system • think logically • creative and artistic abilities • strong inner will • leadership and independent thinking • resilient- in trying family situations • reason by analogy Manning, Sandra. (2006) Recognizing gifted students: a practical guide for         teachers. Retrieved from ERIC database. (EJ724632)

9. Prevalence... ...where all the women are strong, the men are good looking and all the children are above average...

10. Impact on Learning and Achievement • Inferior work, underachievement     aversion to drill on mastered content, to gain social                    acceptance •  Lack of growth     may already know from 35-50% of content already, boredom,     may lead to disruptive behavior, low motivation • Difficulty in cooperative learning groups     bossiness, anti-social behavior • Are Gifted and High Achieving the Same?

11. Ways to Differentiate for Gifted Students Isn't there a specialist for this?

12. Curriculum Compacting test out, loop back in Homogeneous Grouping flexible members  Independent Study Learning Contracts Tiered Assignments make this invisible to                        students Choice- Multiple Intelligences High level thinking- Bloom's Accelerate- cover material more quickly, move on to higher grade level content Enrichment- allow for exploration and learning outside regular curriculum such as special interests and interdisciplinary study Strategies for Differentiation

13. Baby steps... Find a resource book that you like and use it. See starred items in resource list. Don't Panic!

14. "Mrs. G's class doesn't have kids that go out for AIG.  We all stay in the classroom to work.  She expects us all to work hard and do our thinking in groups."    Grant Shields 4th grade What's the message?

15. "No, I don't get different work.  We all do the same assignments.  I have to wait.  Some kids don't work as quickly.  We all go together.  It's boring" "In 4th grade my teacher did give different homework to different kids.  I thought that was fair.  That way no one had homework that was too hard or too easy." Ella Shields, 5th grade What are the Messages?

16. What message do you want to send to gifted learners in your classroom? What is one strategy that you will try to meet the needs of gifted learners in your first classroom? What about you?

17. Advice from Ella... Never assign work that was missed by kids when they are out at AIG for homework.   That is PUNISHMENT!

18. References Public Schools of North Carolina. (2009). North Carolina academically or intellectually gifted program              standards. Retrieved from Public Schools of North Carolina website: http://www.ncpublicschools.org            /academicservices/gifted. Manning, S. (2006). Recognizing gifted students: a practical guide for teachers. Retrieved from ERIC             database. (EJ724632) **Coil, C. (2000). Teaching tools for the 21st century. USA: Pieces of Learning. **Coil, C. (2004).  Standards-Based Activities and Assessments for the Differentiated Classroom. USA:                Pieces of Learning. **Heacox Ed.D., D. (2002). Differentiating instruction in the regular classroom: how to reach and teach all         learners, grade 3-12. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing, Inc Tomlinson, C.A., & McTighe, J. (2006). Integrating: differentiatiated instruction + understanding by design.       Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Buncombe County Public Schools. (2007). Academically or intellectually gifted education: local plan and         procedures.