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Gifted identification testing is currently taking place at each campus and will continue through November. (updated 11/4)
Check out these additional websites for more gifted information!
Why is social and emotional learning such an important part of understanding gifted and high achieving students?
Why is social and emotional learning such an important part of understanding gifted and high achieving students?
As parents and teachers we know that every child is unique, learning styles vary, and every student comes to us with their own set of needs. This holds true within the gifted and high achieving group of students as well. One gifted student may struggle immensely with transitions which causes daily meltdowns. Another may take a very long time do their work because every step must be perfect in their own mind. Or, a student may follow every rule and complete every assignment as expected while feeling frustrated that others aren't doing the same. It is important to acknowledge the array of social and emotional strengths, struggles, and sometimes extreme difficulties that make up the gifted community of learners. It is often thought that these students should be the best, brightest, and easiest to teach. No group of students will ever fit that mold, and gifted students are no different. To read more, click below:
The National Gifted Association has a page dedicated to specific topics relevant to gifted students and parents. The topics include:
Advocacy, Creativity, Giftedness, Giftedness in the Classroom, and Social Emotional Development. Once you click on a topic it will take you to a Family Tip Sheet. Click Here for Family Tip Sheets
Gifted students often show a strength in one (or sometimes multiple) of the areas listed below. This strength is highlighted during the mental ability assessment process, however parents and teachers can often see a strength even without assessment data. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each area and see different activities/suggestions.
Creative Thinking
Creative Thinking
Creative Thinking
Creative Thinking
What It Is:
Creative thinking is the ability to imagine, invent, and generate new ideas or solutions. Students strong in this area see possibilities others might miss and enjoy thinking “outside the box.” (Torrance, 1974)
How Parents Can Help:
Encourage brainstorming — remind your child that all ideas are welcome before choosing one.
Ask open-ended questions like “What else could we try?” or “How might this look in the future?”
Provide art supplies, building materials, or digital tools for free exploration.
Encourage unstructured play- allow for ample time for imaginative play
Emphasis the process not the product.
Websites, Activities & Games:
Suggestions to Extend Creative Thinking- Provided by Fulton Co.
Canva for Education – design posters, comics, and infographics
Story Cubes or LEGO® challenge prompts (e.g., “Invent a machine that helps people recycle!”)
Scholastic Kids Press – write and share creative news stories
Possible Challenges:
Creative thinkers may get frustrated by routine tasks or rigid rules. They may need help balancing imagination with completing structured assignments.
References:
Torrance, E. P. (1974). Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Scholastic Testing Service.
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). (2023). Creativity and Gifted Education.
Nonverbal Reasoning
Nonverbal Reasoning
What It Is:
Nonverbal reasoning involves solving problems using visual information—patterns, shapes, and relationships—rather than words. Students strong here are visual learners who think in pictures and enjoy puzzles.
How Parents Can Help:
Offer logic puzzles, tangrams, and pattern-based games.
Encourage your child to explain how they solved visual problems.
Let them sketch or use diagrams to show their ideas in schoolwork.
Websites, Activities & Games:
Nonverbal Activity Ideas - Featured by Fulton. Co.
Cool Math Logic Games
Battleship, Backgammon, Chess, Rush Hour, Kanoodle, and other similar board games
Building challenges with LEGO®, K’NEX®, or Minecraft®
Possible Challenges:
These students may struggle to explain their thinking verbally or write about their ideas, even when they clearly understand the material. They may benefit from teachers who allow alternative ways to show understanding (drawings, models, or diagrams).
References:
Lohman, D. F. (2003). Nonverbal reasoning and the assessment of giftedness.
NAGC. (2023). Identifying and Supporting Visually–Spatial Learners.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
What It Is:
Quantitative reasoning is the ability to understand and apply mathematical concepts in new ways. Students with this strength love number patterns, problem-solving, and exploring “why” things work in math.
How Parents Can Help:
Encourage real-world math: cooking (fractions), budgeting (percentages), shopping (unit rates).
Ask your child to find multiple ways to solve the same problem.
Discuss logic puzzles or patterns at dinner—make it fun, not a test!
Websites, Activities & Games:
Khan Academy – free lessons and practice
Prodigy Math Game – adaptive math adventures
Strategy games like Prime Climb®, Monopoly®, Math Dice®, or 24®
Possible Challenges:
Quantitatively gifted students can get bored with repetition or may rush through work. They sometimes resist writing explanations (“I just know the answer!”). Encourage patience and reasoning, not just speed.
References:
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). (2020). Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All.
Silver, E. A. (1997). Fostering creativity through mathematical problem solving. ZDM Mathematics Education, 29(3).
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
What It Is:
Verbal reasoning is the ability to understand and use language to analyze, infer, and explain ideas. Students strong in this area love to read, debate, tell stories, and play with words.
How Parents Can Help:
Encourage wide reading—from novels to news articles to poetry.
Discuss current events, books, or ethical dilemmas over dinner.
Model curiosity by looking up answers together and exploring new words.
Websites, Activities & Games:
Newsela – leveled nonfiction reading
🧠 Word games like Scrabble®, Boggle®, or Apples to Apples®
Possible Challenges:
Verbal reasoners may dominate discussions or get frustrated when peers can’t keep up. They may also struggle in classes that emphasize rote memorization instead of analysis. Encourage listening skills and teamwork.
References:
Renzulli, J. S. (2005). The Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness: A Developmental Model for Promoting Creative Productivity.
NAGC. (2022). Supporting Advanced Readers and Writers.
Extending Verbal, Nonverbal, Quantitative Reasoning & Creative Thinking: Click Here for More
*Resource located by Fulton Co.
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