characteristicsofgiftedstudents 120108184040-phpapp01
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CHARACTERISTICS
OF
GIFTED
AND
TALENTED
STUDENTS
2008
Gifted and talented students may exhibit positive and/or negative
characteristics.
Positive characteristics include --
Intellectual
ABILITY
•Uses advanced reasoning skills •Has extensive and detailed memory •Answers questions in detail •Wants to learn and is very curious •Makes logical inferences, draws conclusions based on sound reasoning•Understands abstract ideas and complex concepts •Learns new information quickly•Applies prior knowledge to problem solving
I.Q. Scales
Highly Gifted student 145-159
Moderately Gifted student 130-144
Mildly Gifted student 115-129
The average I.Q. is 100.
ACADEMIC
ABILITY
•Has an intense, sustained interest •Completes academic work correctly/unassisted •Contributes to academic discussions •Excels in one or more subject areas •Has hobbies/collections related to field •Has an inquisitive nature and
asks relevant questions •Demonstrates knowledge of facts in one or more academic areas•Demonstrates knowledge about current
events
Creative
ability
•Has active imagination •Is emotionally sensitive (i.e. to beauty) •Brings inventive/innovative approach to
problems •Generates “what if” questions •Experiments with ideas •Is a nonconformist, uninhibited in expression, adventurous •Is a risk taker •Comfortable not having the “correct”
answer •Constructs jokes, clever plays on words, ironic observations
Artistic Talent …specialized
•Produces imaginative/original art •Appreciates subtle variations in artistic products or performances •Seems to pick up skills in the arts with little
or no instruction •Art performance/products marked by detail, complexity, richness •Concentrates for long periods of time on artistic projects •Expresses emotion in art •Communicates effectively via artistic media
Leadership Leadership AbilityAbility
•Acts responsibly in social situations •Has a cooperative attitude •Projects positive image to peers •Earns respect and trust of others •Is self-confident •Gets others to work together •Maintains on-task focus •Takes charge in group situations •Is visionary – has a holistic view •Can do backwards planning
MOTIVATION
•Shows pride in work •Wants to perform at highest possible
level •Reacts to challenges enthusiastically •Approaches situations expecting to do
well •Places high value on mastery •Works tenaciously, not easily discouraged •Sets challenging goals •Strives to improve •Attempts tasks above current skill level
How Can I Tell The Difference Between
High Achievers &
Gifted Students?
HIGH ACHIEVERS…
Know the Answers
Enjoy School
Grasp Meaning
Copy Accurately
Have Good Ideas
Absorb Information
Achieve Mastery in
3-8 Repetitions
GIFTED STUDENTS…
Ask the questions
Enjoy Learning
Draw Inferences
Create New Designs
Have Unexpected Ideas
Manipulate Information
Achieve Mastery in
1-2 Repetitions
Negative Characteristics
• Some characteristics of gifted students often keep them out of G/T programs. This can be related to teacher misidentification.
• Teachers tend to identify “teacher-pleasers” as gifted and ignore some gifted kids with “annoying” behaviors.
General Definition of a Teacher Pleaser
A Teacher Pleaser is a student who has and/or does all the nice, pleasing, helpful, and considerate things in class as well as bails you out of uncomfortable situations when possible. This student achieves high grades in class AND scores in the 90th percentile or above on standard achievement tests. Teacher Pleasers may vary from class to class.
“Teacher Pleaser or Gifted?
Where is Plymouth Rock?
I am not Presently at L iberty to Divulge that Information, as it might Compromise our agents in theField.
I understand my Tests are Popular reading in the Teachers’ Lounge.
“The extremely bright or the creative, curious, and questioning students, who may be stubborn, rule-breaking, egotistical or otherwise
high in nuisance value, may not be the teachers’ favorites, but they sometimes are the most gifted.” Gary Davies and Sylvia Rimm
When did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock?
1620
A s you can see, I ’ve M emorized this utterly useless fact long enough to pass a test Question. I now intend to Forget it Forever. You’ve taught me nothing except how to cynically manipulate the system. Congratulations.
A more thought provoking A nswer was Definitely Called For.
Negative Characteristics of Creativity
• Being bored with routine tasks, refusing to do rote homework.
• Not being interested in details, handing in messy work
• Making jokes or puns at inappropriate times
Negative Characteristics of Motivation
• Being emotionally sensitive, overreacting, getting angry easily, or crying if things go wrong
Negative Characteristics of Critical Thinking
• Being self-critical and impatient with failure
• Being critical of others, even of the teacher
General Definition of a Potentially Gifted Student
A Potentially Gifted student is a student who is pleased with original work, right or wrong, and who is strongly opinionated regarding moral issues. This student may also possess all, some or none of the labels associated with the Teacher Pleaser.
Teacher Pleaser…
Knowledgeable
Completes all work
Writes well
One of the first to respond
Asks “safe” questions
Time is important
Potentially GIFTED STUDENT…
Has much factual information
May not show neatness or order in work
Anticipates outcomes
May disagree with teacher or textbook answers
May frequently respond in an elaborate manner
May not want to stop working on a task
OVER-Achievers
Are Typically
TEACHER-PLEASERS (They turn in homework…)
…
Many Gifted Kids
Are NOT!(Homework? What homework?)
A Matter of Perspective
CHARACTERISTICS OF Giftedness
in Persons with Disabilities … and other challenges
Characteristics of Intellectually and Academically Gifted/ Physically Disabled Youth • Advanced lexicon • Broad knowledge base • Advanced memory skills • Excellent abstract-thinking skills • High level of determination • Curiosity • Creative problem-solving skills • Nontraditional means of expression to convey intellectual ability • Ability to compensate for disability • Preference for gifted programs • Forceful personality • Perfectionism • High level of emotional stress, self-criticism, and dissatisfaction with society
Stephen Hawking
Characteristics of Creatively and
Artistically Gifted/ Physically Disabled Youth
• Sense of humor • Adjustment skills • Swift comprehension of
new ideas • Active imagination • Artistic/Visual appreciation • Precocious ability to gain
new theoretical perspectives
Mattie Stepanek
Characteristics of Gifted/Visually
Impaired Gifted Youth • High task commitment • Perceptive to the environment • Precocious ability to learn Braille/Computer Skills • Love of reading • Creative thought process • Tendency to work on grade level • Strong communication skills
Helen Keller
Characteristics of Gifted/Hearing
Impaired Youth • Tendency to work on
grade level • Good sense of humor • Intuition • Poor speaking ability • Ingenious problem-solving skills • Clearly symbolic language capabilities • No literal explanations
necessary
Heather Whitestone
Characteristics of Gifted/ADHD Youth
• Inattentiveness • Impulsive/hyperactive
conduct • Eagerness • Compassion • Fidgetiness • Minimal need of sleep • Strong-mindedness
since early childhood • Difficulty with lengthy
assignments
Many Characteristics Of The Highly Creative Are ALSO Characteristics of ADHD
Inattention and Daydreaming Sensation Seeking
Inability to Finish ProjectsHyperactivity
Enthusiasm and PlayfulnessDifficult TemperamentDeficient Social Skills
Hypersensitivity to StimulationMood Swings
General Characteristics of Gifted/Low Socio-Economic Youth
• High mathematical abilities • Imaginative storytelling, using
language rich in imagery• Sense of humor• Resourcefulness: the ability to
solve problems by ingenious methods • Alertness, curiosity•Originality and creativity in thinking • Leadership ability in peer group • Ability to generalize learning to
other areas and to show relationships among
apparently unrelated ideas• Initiative and eagerness to do
new things
Barbara Clark, Growing Up Gifted, sixth ed.
Maya Angelou
Photo/David (News Service Umberger)
Gifted Characteristics Associated with ESL (English as Second Language) Students
• Reads two grades above in native language• Has advanced knowledge of idioms and native dialects with
ability to translate and explain meanings• Keeps busy and entertained, especially by imaginative
games and ingenious applications• Exhibits leadership ability, although in an unobtrusive
manner; often best observed in non-traditional settings, e.g. playground, church, home, sports, clubs
• Accepts responsibilities at home normally reserved for older children
• Enjoys intelligent and/or effective risk-taking behavior, often accompanied by a sense of drama
• Demonstrates a strong sense of pride in cultural heritage• Eagerly shares native culture
Even “more” Characteristics
That Conceal
Giftedness
“Questionable” HUMOR
–bizarre, absurd, cynical, inappropriate
Sometimes obsessed with Specific Interest
Area and Nothing Else
--often unusual interest
--passionate
--sometimes fleeting
Once they completely
SATURATE their focus,
they move on
to something new
Frustration with
inability to master certain
academic skills
DISRUPTIVE
Classroom
Behavior
Daydreaming
Lack of Concentration
Not Listening
“If it can’t be perfect I won’t do it at all, or I’ll intentionally do a poor job. I’d rather have a “zero” than a “B” or “C.”
Perfectionism
In the Classroom Some Gifted Kids –
•Can easily become bored with routine assignments. •May want to do things his/her own way—why not?
•Can become a real pest. •May notice the teacher’s lack of inconsistency with “But you said we should always…” •May not always pay close attention to directions. •Can make jokes at adults’ expense. Not everyone
appreciates this. • Sometimes TOO innovative.
•Restless, inattentive, disturbing others
• Poor in Spelling, careless in handwriting, inaccurate in Math because they are
impatient with details requiring rote learning or drill.
• Lackadaisical in completing or handing in assignments and can be indifferent to
classroom work when not interested.
• Outspokenly critical of both themselves and others, an attitude which often alienates
adults as well as peers.• Can become too bossy and be unwilling to
listen to the opinions of others.
Super Sensitivity
Lack of Organization
al Skills
LOW SELF-
ESTEEM
Absence of
Social Skills
With
Peers
The Chameleon
This student masks his abilities for many reasons –
peer pressure, fitting in, the “Sport’s JOCK” syndrome.
Sadly, many of the chameleons secretly
long to learn and pursue their unique interests.
Underachievement is common affecting 20% to 50% of gifted students
Most Potentially Gifted Students Who Underachieve -
• Encounter external and internal barriers in school and self
• Have not had opportunities to understand their interests, strengths, styles, and deficits
• Fear failure so do not take risks
• May feel powerless due to age and maturity to make changes
The child who does well in school, gets good grades, wins awards, and “performs” beyond the norm is considered talented.
The child who does not, no matter what
his innate intellectual capacities or developmental level, is less and less likely to be identified, less and less likely to be served.
More and more, “gifted” is perceived as synonymous with (and limited to) academic achievement.
There is no ONE indicator of giftedness.
Gifted and talented children are found in expected AND unexpected
places.
However, it is important to always remember that…
the gifted child
is a CHILD First!
Acknowledgements
• Patricia Hesse – Gifted/Talented Coordinator, grades 2-12 for Weiner Public Schools, Arkansas (slide format)
• Shirley Kohl – CMS Elementary Talent Development Specialist (revision, editing)
• Sally Reis – Professor & department head of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut (research)
• Linda Silverman – Leading expert in the field of gifted education and author of Counseling the Gifted and Talented (research)
• Susan K. Johnsen – Professor in Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University. Director of Ph.D. Program and programs related to gifted and talented education. (research)
• E. Susanne Richert – Director, federal contract on national identification methods (research)