Teaching Gifted Learners

When I first thought of the needs for gifted and talented students, I didn't think they needed much. I figured as long as I had some extra work for them, that would be ok. I was completely wrong! Not until I did a little research and read Chapter 3 in our book did I realize how much devotion and accommodation a teacher needs to make for these students. Assignments need to be altered to challenge these students and provide them with critical thinking problems. They need time to explore uninstructed materials and books and teachers need to assess these students to see what they already know to avoid repetition. Paring a gifted student with a student who is at a lower achievement level benefits both students. It allows the gifted student to teach a concept while the other student receives one-on-one help from a peer, making it easier to comprehend. Teachers of gifted students need to take the extra time in accommodating their classrooms, materials and assignments to satisfy the needs of a gifted and talented child.

I found this great article "What it Means to Teach Gifted Learners Well" with some great advice and do's and don't of teaching gifted students! Enjoy!