Individual Learning differences of gifted and talented learners
Candidates understand the effects that gifts and talents can have on an individual’s learning in school and throughout life.
3.1: Influences
of diversity factors on gifted and talented learners.
1. The article "Gifted Underachievers" explores the lack of identification of gifted students who come from low-income families or are English Language Learners. This article also discusses the impact that under-identification has on these children; including underachievement, behavior problems, and dropping out due to boredom. This article demonstrates my understanding of the importance of identifying all gifted learners, no matter what their background is.
3.2: Academic
and affective characteristics and learning needs of gifted and talented
learners, including the underachieving and twice-exceptional student.
1. The article, "Gifted Underachievement" discusses characteristics of the gifted underachiever and the gifted, culturally diverse underachiever. Underachievement in gifted students crosses all boundaries - cultural, gender, economic level. This article demonstrates my knowledge of characteristics of different types of gifted and talented learners.
2. The article "Motivating the Gifted Underachiever" explores how reward menus and behavior contracts can be used in the classroom to motivated gifted underachievers. The article also discusses the social-emotional development of the gifted underachiever and how their needs can be addressed in the classroom. This article demonstrates my understanding of how to motivate gifted underachievers in the classroom.
3.3: Idiosyncratic
learning patterns of gifted and talented learners, including those from diverse
backgrounds.
1. Post #1 from the course, "Nature and Needs of Gifted Learners," describes a previous student of mine and some of the idiosyncrasies that he had and how I planned to address his needs in the classroom.
3.4: Influences
of different beliefs, traditions, and values across and within diverse groups
on relationships among gifted and talented learners, their families, schools,
and communities.
1. The Teaching for High Potential newsletter (Fall, 2009) includes an article titled, "Mentorships for Gifted High School Students." This article describes Mentorship, one strategy that Wisconsin is using to meet the needs of their gifted students. This strategy involved the students, their parents and member of the community.