GT Resources and Sites
What does it mean to be "gifted"
Common Characteristics of Gifted Individuals
Because gifted children are so diverse, not all exhibit all characteristics all of the time. However, there are common characteristics that many gifted individuals share
Unusual alertness, even in infancy
Rapid learner; puts thoughts together quickly
Excellent memory
Unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age
Advanced comprehension of word nuances, metaphors and abstract ideas
Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles
Often self-taught reading and writing skills as preschooler
Deep, intense feelings and reactions
Highly sensitive
Thinking is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful
Idealism and sense of justice at early age
Concern with social and political issues and injustices
Longer attention span and intense concentration
Preoccupied with own thoughts—daydreamer
Learn basic skills quickly and with little practice
Asks probing questions
Wide range of interests (or extreme focus in one area)
Highly developed curiosity
Interest in experimenting and doing things differently
Puts idea or things together that are not typical
Keen and/or unusual sense of humor
Desire to organize people/things through games or complex schemas
Vivid imaginations (and imaginary playmates when in preschool)
Traits of Giftedness
No gifted individual is exactly the same, each with his own unique patterns and traits. There are many traits that gifted individuals have in common, but no gifted learner exhibits traits in every area. This list of traits may help you better understand whether or not your child is gifted.
Cognitive Characteristics
Keen power of abstraction
Interest in problem-solving and applying concept
Voracious and early reader
Large vocabulary
Intellectual curiosity
Power of critical thinking, skepticism, self-criticism
Persistent, goal-directed behavior
Independence in work and study
Diversity of interests and abilities
Creative Characteristics
Creativeness and inventiveness
Keen sense of humor
Ability for fantasy
Openness to stimuli, wide interests
Intuitiveness
Flexibility
Independence in attitude and social behavior
Self-acceptance and unconcern for social norms
Radicalism
Aesthetic and moral commitment to self-selected work
Affective Characteristics
Unusual emotional depth and intensity
Sensitivity or empathy to the feelings of others
High expectations of self and others, often leading to feelings of frustration
Heightened self-awareness, accompanied by feelings of being different
Easily wounded, need for emotional support
Need for consistency between abstract values and personal actions
Advanced levels of moral judgment
Idealism and sense of justice
Behavioral Characteristics
Spontaneity
Boundless enthusiasm
Intensely focused on passions—resists changing activities when engrossed in own interests
Highly energetic—needs little sleep or down time
Constantly questions
Insatiable curiosity
Impulsive, eager and spirited
Perseverance—strong determination in areas of importance
High levels of frustration—particularly when having difficulty meeting standards of performance (either imposed by self or others)
Volatile temper, especially related to perceptions of failure
Non-stop talking/chattering
Gifted Associations/Websites
Interesting GT articles and Books
Book
Amazon Link: Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students
Book
Amazon Link: Your Spirited Child
Book
Amazon Link: Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child's True Potential
Book
Amazon Link: Giftedness 101
Book
Amazon Link: Living with Intensity
Article
Read Here: The Math Revolution
Article
Read Here: De-Escalating: Helping Gifted Children Identify Their Emotions
Article
Read Here:
GIFTED MYTHS
Gifted Students Don’t Need Help; They’ll Do Fine On Their Own
Would you send a star athlete to train for the Olympics without a coach? Gifted students need guidance from well-trained teachers who challenge and support them in order to fully develop their abilities. Many gifted students may be so far ahead of their same-age peers that they know more than half of the grade-level curriculum before the school year begins. Their resulting boredom and frustration can lead to low achievement, despondency, or unhealthy work habits. The role of the teacher is crucial for spotting and nurturing talents in school.
Teachers Challenge All The Students, So Gifted Kids Will Be Fine In The Regular Classroom
Although teachers try to challenge all students they are frequently unfamiliar with the needs of gifted children and do not know how to best serve them in the classroom. A national study conducted by the Fordham Institute found that 58% of teachers have received no professional development focused on teaching academically advanced students in the past few years and 73% of teachers agreed that “Too often, the brightest students are bored and under-challenged in school – we’re not giving them a sufficient chance to thrive. This report confirms what many families have known: not all teachers are able to recognize and support gifted learners.
Acceleration Placement Options Are Socially Harmful For Gifted Students
Academically gifted students often feel bored or out of place with their age peers and naturally gravitate towards older students who are more similar as “intellectual peers.” Studies have shown that many students are happier with older students who share their interest than they are with children the same age.3 Therefore, acceleration placement options such as early entrance to Kindergarten, grade skipping, or early exit should be considered for these students.
That Student Can't Be Gifted, He Is Receiving Poor Grades
Underachievement describes a discrepancy between a student’s performance and his actual ability. The roots of this problem differ, based on each child’s experiences. Gifted students may become bored or frustrated in an unchallenging classroom situation causing them to lose interest, learn bad study habits, or distrust the school environment. Other students may mask their abilities to try to fit in socially with their same-age peers and still others may have a learning disability that masks their giftedness. No matter the cause, it is imperative that a caring and perceptive adult help gifted learners break the cycle of underachievement in order to achieve their full potential.
This Child Can't Be Gifted, He Has A Disability
Some gifted students also have learning or other disabilities. These “twice-exceptional” students often go undetected in regular classrooms because their disability and gifts mask each other, making them appear “average.” Other twice-exceptional students are identified as having a learning disability and as a result, are not considered for gifted services. In both cases, it is important to focus on the students’ abilities and allow them to have challenging curricula in addition to receiving help for their learning disability.
All Children Are Gifted
All children have strengths and positive attributes, but not all children are gifted in the educational sense of the word. The label “gifted” in a school setting means that when compared to others his or her age or grade, a child has an advanced capacity to learn and apply what is learned in one or more subject areas, or in the performing or fine arts. This advanced capacity requires modifications to the regular curriculum to ensure these children are challenged and learn new material. Gifted does not connote good or better; it is a term that allows students to be identified for services that meet their unique learning needs.
Gifted FAQs
Frequently asked questions regarding GT identification and GT services within DCSD.
How do I know if my child is "gifted"?
There are many characteristics of gifted learners that can help teachers and GT coordinators evaluate students. Approximately 2-5% of the population are "truly" gifted. Another 15% of the population falls into the category of high achievers and bright learners. Gifted children often have several unique characteristics that set them apart from other learns in the classroom and need specialized learning plans to meet their needs.
In Douglas County, we collect a body of evidence for each child to determine if he/she qualifies for Gifted and Talented services. This body of evidence includes cognitive testing (such as CogAT or WISC IV), achievement testing (TCAP, DRA, etc.), classroom performance, teacher observations, parent observations, and student interests. If you would like to begin the gifted program screening process for your child, please contact me.
If my child qualifies for GT, what services are provided at my neighborhood school?
Identified GT students in neighborhood schools receive a variety of services in and out of the classroom. An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is written for all identified gifted and talented students and is a legal document available to all teachers and staff working with the student. This document outlines the student's strengths and interest areas and identifies goals for the student yearly.
Students are monitored by the GT facilitator to ensure differentiated instruction and/or modified work is ongoing to meet their unique needs. In addition, students are given opportunities for advancement, enrichment and extension in literacy and math. Curriculum compacting is closely monitored so that students are working on challenging work in their strength areas and are not working through topics they have already mastered.
The programming options available vary from school to school and sometimes from grade level to grade level. Some common options are differentiated instruction within the classroom environment, pull out groups for extension and enrichment activities, opportunities for curriculum compacting or advanced placement, single subject acceleration, and academic competitions, and passion projects.
My child took the CogAT this fall, when will I get the results and how can I interpret them?
CogAT scores should be back after fall break. Thank you for your patience. Once the results have arrived, there will be two CogAT Interpretation Meetings scheduled. These meetings are designed for parents to help interpret and understand the implications of their child's scores.
My child is in enrichment groups but does not have an ALP, does he/she need one?
Not necessarily. An ALP is for identified GT learners, but enrichment groups also include bright, high achieving students who are not necessarily "gifted". Only about 2-5% of the population is considered truly "gifted", but we work with many very bright students, about 15% of the population, who need extra challenges above and beyond the regular classroom. We often include very bright students in our enrichment groups because they need those additional challenges. Sometimes, we use these enrichment groups to observe students and analyze their performance on challenging tasks to determine if an ALP is necessary.
How do I apply for the Discovery program? What is the deadline for applications?
The application and information can be found here: DSCD Discovery Program Website
The application for the 2020-2021 school year will be available on the district website beginning in October 2019. All applications must be received by the District office in Castle Rock by November 2019. This deadline ensures that students who are selected for the Discovery Program are guaranteed a spot in Discovery classroom. Students whose files are submitted after the deadline may be placed on a waiting list if there aren't any available spots. If you are new to the district, please contact the District office if you have questions about late admission into the Discovery Program.
How do I get more information about the Elementary Discovery program for identified gifted learners?
There will be parent information nights at the Discovery Program schools in October. Stay tuned for more information.
If you have any questions please contact mhowell@dcsdk12.org