jamie l. russell november 30, 2005 report on specific challenges: giftedness
TRANSCRIPT
What is Giftedness?
The U.S. Department of Education’s definition of giftedness: Gifted and talented children are those identified by
professionally qualified persons who by virtue of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance. Children capable of high performance include those with demonstrated achievement and or potential ability in any of the following areas singly or combined: General intellectual ability Specific academic aptitude Creative of productive thinking Leadership ability Visual and performing arts Psychomotor ability
New Horizons for Learning
How Early can Giftedness be Detected?
Unusual alertness in infancy
Less need for sleep in infancy
Long attention span High activity level Smiling or recognizing
caretakers early Intense reactions to noise,
pain, and frustration Advanced procession
through the developmental milestones
Extraordinary memory
Enjoyment and speed of learning
Early and extensive language development
Fascination with books Curiosity Excellent sense of humor Abstract reasoning and
problem-solving skills Vivid imagination (e.g.
Imaginary companions) Sensitivity and
compassion
Early Signs of Giftedness
Silverman, 1992
How are Children Tested for Giftedness?
Individual Aptitude TestIndividual Achievement TestReview of RecordsParent InformationTeacher Information
Phineas David Elementary School
What are the Cultural and Religious Viewpoints?
Different cultures provide different tools, Habits, and assumptions that significantly influence human thought and behavior
Giftedness is perceived differently from culture to culture
Wu, 2005
Challenges that Teachers and Parents of Gifted Students Face
Identifying GiftednessAccepting and understanding a child’s
giftednessHelping gifted children establish fulfilling
relationshipsAdvocating for the gifted childChoosing a program or school for the gifted
child
Roedell, 2000
Gifted or ADHD? Is Misdiagnosis Possible?
Similar characteristics between Giftedness and ADHD High activity levels Difficulty paying attention Difficulty following rules Social difficulties Academic underachievement
All of these problems stem from a neurobiological abnormality for children with ADHD but not for children who are gifted.
Hartnett, 2004; Webb, 1993
What Options are there for Alternative Learning?
Gifted programs within the PA Public School System
Gifted programs outside the PA Public School System
Gifted programs outside PA worth mentioning: The Lab School, Washington, DC Evergreen Sudbury School, Hallowell, ME
Baltimore Lab School, 2005; Evergreen Sudbury School, 2005; Koetzsch, 1997
Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted Child
Social and emotional traits of giftedness Divergent thinking ability Excitability Sensibility Perceptiveness Entelechy
Colanfelo, 2004; Hearne, 2005
How Can Teachers and Caregivers Show Support
School Psychologist Provide counseling to students while consulting
parents and teachers Give in-service training to parents and teachers Re-evaluation
Teacher/Caregivers Provide a natural critical learning environment Ask questions and provide guidance Engage students attention and keep them focused Maintain high expectations Provide diverse learning experiences
References
Baltimore Lab School, The. 2005. 10 Nov. 2005 http://www.labschool.org/baltimore.html
Colangelo, N. Assouline. “A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America’s Brightest Students.” Iowa City, Iowa: University of Iowa. (2004)
Evergreen Sudbury School. “What Kids Do Well Here.” 2005. 7 Nov. 2005. http//members.aol.com/computerus/evergreen/
Hargrove, Kathy. That Makes a “Good” Teacher “Great”? Gifted Child Today. Waco: Winter. 28, 1 (2005): 30-32.
Hartnett, D. Niall, Jason M. Nelson, and Anne N. Rinn. “ Gifted or ADHD? The Possibilities of Misdiagnosis.” Roeper Review. 26, 2 (2004): 43-76.
Hearne, Jill Ph.D. and Barbara Maurer, M. Ed. 22 Sep. 2005 http://www.newhorizons.org/spneeds/gifted/hearne.htm
Koetzsch, Ronald P. Parent’s Guide to Alternative Education. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, Inc. (1997).
Reference (Continued)
New Horizons for Learning Phineas Davis Elementary School Porter, Louise. Young Children’s Behavior: Practical Approaches
for Caregivers & Teachers 2nd edition. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. 2003.
Robinson, Eric L. “What is the School Psychologist’s Role in Gifted Education?” Gifted Child Today. 25, 4 (2002): 34-37.
Roedell, Wendy C. “How Parents can Help Support Gifted Children.” Kidsource Online. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/parents.gifted.html
Silverman, Linda K. “How Parents Can Support Gifted Children.” ERIC Digest. (1992).
Webb, James T. and Diane Latimer. “ADHD and Children who are Gifted,” Exceptional Children. 60 (1993): 183
Wu, Echo H. “Factors That Contribute to Talented Performance: A Theoretical Model From a Chinese Perspective.” The Gifted Child Quarterly. 49, 3 (2005): 231, 17 pgs.