Thursday, 18 June 2015

Bright Child vs Gifted Learner

It is often quite hard to determine whether a student is gifted or just very bright.  This chart is helpful:
I’m not sure who to credit for this chart, as I have seen it from many sources.
This one is even better, because it lists the pros and cons that come with being identified as a gifted child.  It is also geared more to teachers.
How to Spot a Gifted Student
Gifted students possess some common characteristics. Recognizing these general traits and understanding how they may reveal themselves in the classroom is an important step toward working effectively with this unique group of children.
Some of these behaviors are listed and described below. Positive traits are included along with those behaviors that may frustrate you as a teacher. If a student in your classroom exhibits these characteristics on a consistent basis, there is a good chance he or she is gifted.
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Asks many questions and is very curious
· Possesses a large amount of information
· Has a good memory
· Easily gets “off task” and “off topic”
· Is impatient when not called on in class
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Learns new information quickly
· Retains information easily
· Masters reading skills earlier
· Demonstrates strong abilities in math
· Displays unusual academic achievement
· Finishes classwork quickly
· Is easily bored
· Can become disruptive in class
· Shows strong resistance to repetitive activities and memorization
· Completes work quickly but sloppily
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Is interested in many things
· Becomes involved in a variety of activities
· Is motivated to try new things
· Enjoys a challenge
· May resist working on activities apart from areas of interest
· Leaves projects unfinished
· Takes on too much and becomes overwhelmed
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Thinks independently
· Expresses unique and original opinions
· Is self-motivated
· Challenges authority
· Does not handle criticism well
· Does not work well in groups
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Uses higher level thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation)
· Makes connections other students don’t see
· Considers unusual approaches to problem-solving
· Tends to be absent-minded regarding practical details
· Forgets homework assignments
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Has a strong sense of justice
· Likes to debate current issues and real life problems
· Can be very critical of self and others
· Likes to argue a point
· Is a perfectionist and expects others to be perfect as well
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Has a sophisticated sense of humor
· Understands subtle humor
· Enjoys plays on words and satire
· Easily gets carried away with a joke
· Has a tendency to become the “class clown”
The Gifted StudentBut….
· Demonstrates strong expressive skills
· Is sensitive to feelings of others
· Elaborates on ideas
· Shows skill in drama/art/music/language
· Sometimes perceived as a “know-it-all” by peers
· Is sometimes “bossy” to peers in group situations

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