Some of the Instructional Methods/Models Used with Our Gifted Students
Taba's Concept Development: One of 4 methods by Taba designed to teach thinking skills, this 5-step method guides students in inductive thinking from a series of facts to a generalization or big idea about a concept.
(Gallagher, 2012) This method is straightforward and easy for teachers to learn. A lesson lasts about 30-40 minutes for K-3 students, and about 70-75 min. for older students. Designed for gifted learners rather than mixed-ability groups.
Socratic Method: This method supports deep exploration of a text through open discussion. Seated in a circle, participants pose open-ended questions and respond to one another’s ideas. Unlike a debate, a Socratic seminar is not argumentative, but collaborative. The Socratic method promotes shared understanding. The teacher acts as a facilitator in the conversation. (Chorzempa, 2009)
Bruner's Structure of the Intellect: In this model students develop familiarity with a discipline such as biology or history. They assume the role of an expert in that field in ways made accessible to them. This model is designed to help students of any age to better understand how information is organized within a discipline.
Visual Thinking Strategies: In this model, the teacher presents an image for students to examine. In a group discussion, the teacher poses questions to elicit students’ thinking about what they noticed in the picture. The questions guide students to an essential understanding. Images must be thoughtfully chosen to relate to the lesson concept and essential understanding.
For sources consulted in the creation of this section, see the "References" page in the navigation bar.