Tips & Strategies for Teaching the Gifted Student

Does your child excel at school or in other areas? Learn how you can be certain that your gifted student’s needs are being met in the classroom.

Finding appropriate ways to challenge the gifted learner in the general classroom can be a daunting task. An independent study is the answer.

Whether it is the beginning of a new school year or close to the end of the final semester, educators are always searching for information on new activities, lesson plans and projects for advanced learners. This guide is chock-full of information dedicated to advanced learners.

According to the National Association of Gifted Children, there are approximately 3 million academically gifted students in grades K-12 in the US. That number is approximately 6% of all school age children in the United States. Are we meeting these children’s special academic needs?

Do your more talented students sometimes struggle working in groups? Do you need ideas for grouping and creating a strong activity for them to work on together? Providing a theme may help them to tap into their thirst for excess knowledge and promote further learning in the classroom.

Sometimes a teacher can feel overwhelmed with keeping students engaged and excited about learning. After all, gifted students have so much to offer, so typical classroom activities may fall flat.

Giftedness can be very difficult to define and evaluate. Many school districts are mandated to identify their gifted students using a two tiered approach and answer the questions is this child gifted, and do they display a need for gifted support?

Are you unsure what to do with the gifted students in your classroom? One way to challenge these learners is through exciting independent projects.

Exceptional learners often need different teaching strategies than mainstream students. Reading strategies are successful when they allow you to evaluate each student’s ability to assimilate new information.

Advanced placement classes are often thought of as a necessity for college-bound students. However, they are also used as a means for teaching gifted and talented learners.

Educators may strive to teach a lesson plan & encourage independent critical thinking; however, gifted students need the ability to be objective, open minded, and honest. They will also need to learn how to analyze a situation or data, along with recognizing bias. These skills don’t come naturally.

How is exceptionality in children determined? What programs are available for children who are gifted? Most parents and some teachers of exceptional children ask these questions. Often, the answers they receive are less than helpful. This article will aid in answering these questions.

Enthusiasm is important when working with students, especially students learning above grade level. Art lesson plans for gifted students, therefore, must tap their passion. As Van Gogh once wrote, “…one must never let the fire go out in one’s soul, but keep it burning.”

Gifted education teachers can keep their students motivated and eager to learn by storing books, games, puzzles, and other gifted education supplies in the classroom. Students who are talented in subject areas like reading, math, science, and art can use these supplies when supplementing classwork.

Shakespeare and gifted students fit together like a glove. Students enjoy exploring the suspense, romance, mystery, fantasy and action found in Shakespeare’s work. Providing them with challenging and creative means to learn will enhance learning, as well as allow gifted students to develop skills.

There are no Federal mandates on gifted education, a fact that most people are not aware of until they have need for gifted services. While technically schools are charged with meeting the needs of all students, gifted students needs are considered met by general curriculum. What are the options?

A problem for many gifted students is their inability to relate to their peers. Gifted students have a difficult time finding common ground with kids their own age. Often, gifted students gravitate to adults. These activities will help students connect with other students of like interests.