Gifted and Talented

Definition: A gifted or talented student is one that has high achievement capability in intellectuality, creativity, or leadership. They may be exceptional in other specific areas, but need more services than provided in the regular classroom to reach their full potential. A gifted student posses many different qualities such as having a good memory, quick learner, motivated, involved in many things, independent, and self-motivated. Indicators for giftedness or talented may start at a very young age. Therefore, a parent may be able to watch for these and begin challenging right away. Some of these might include walking and talking early, long attention spans, or being very intuitive. Students that are gifted need to be accepted as individuals and not placed into a group. They may need help dealing with frustration and need extra emotional support and acceptance. Gifted and talented students have many great qualities, but do have some challenges. They are considerably hard on themselves and others, impatient, strong-willed, and be more prone to depression and being “bossy.” For this reason, gifted students are just like any other child and need help with emotional support. They may need extra help making friends or dealing with things such as life changes and trauma.


Implications: I would like to teach first, second, or third grade. At this age, I feel I would need to be more involved with assessing whether a child is gifted or not. Once we give a student the term “gifted,” I would get the student an IEP. Of course, this student would get as much inclusion time as possible. This would not cause much problems at all. However, I would need to make sure that this student is challenged. By doing this, I would have to give them harder assignments, different spelling words, and more difficult projects. It would be very important for me to challenge all of my students, but I would need to make each student, whether challenged or gifted, work at their full potential. I would still incorporate different games and activities into the lesson. These students are like any child and may get bored or burnt out on school.

Specific Technology:

PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Access: These different software can help any student gain more knowledge in technology, math skills, research skills, and social skills.

SMART Board: This interactive board is a great way to challenge any student by interacting them with the material.

Computers/Laptops: Can be used to research, write papers, create presentations, ect.

DVD/Videos: A great way to show students a new concept or use as a field trip.

Annotated Bibliography:

Danielian, J. (2008). National Association for Gifted Children. Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://www.nagc.org/index2.aspx?id=548.

This association put together some very useful information about students that are gifted. It was set in question/answer form and gave an excellent definition.

Instructional TV. (2001). Teachers First. How To Spot a Gifted Student. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://www.teachersfirst.com/gifted/spot.html.

This website offered excellent information about how to assess whether a student is gifted or not. It was really interesting to learn what signs a gifted student might posses.

Ragsdell, V. (2007) Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. The Problem of Loneliness: Finding Friends and Fitting In When You Are Gifted. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://www.sengifted.org/publications_audiolibrary.shtml#loneliness.

This website contained many different articles and publications about how gifted children are just like any other child. This particular article discussed how to get students to gain friendship.

Saylor, M. (2009). Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented. Parent Resources- What is Giftedness? Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://www.txgifted.org/parent-pages/what-is-giftedness.

Although this site was for Texas educators, it was very helpful for defining giftedness. It had information on different indicators, characteristics, demands, and challenges of a gifted student.

Smart Technologies ULC. (2009). SMART. SMART Board Interactive White Board. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Classroom+solutions/Product+news+and+resources/SMART+Board+interactive+whiteboard/.

This company makes all kinds of useful technology for the classroom. This is a great way to interact all kinds of students, especially gifted and talented.