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Defining giftedness
Defining giftedness
State Definition
Do you know the state's definition of giftedness? As of 1998, North Carolina defines giftedness as "...students who perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience , or environment" (Stephens and Karnes 232).
Characteristics
The state definition is great, but you are wondering what it looks like in a third, fourth, or fifth grade student...
A gifted student will exhibit many characteristics as a learner and express each characteristic in his/her own way. The above Wordle represents a compilation of four lists of gifted characteristics with the most frequent descriptors appearing as larger text. As these descriptors are pulled from select lists consider the fact that gifted students are unique and may display many, none, or all of these characteristics.
Be mindful that many of these characteristics can be expressed as both positive and negative behaviors. For example, an avid reader may read voraciously at appropriate times (positive behavior) or refuse to do anything other than read (negative behavior). Here are a few more examples:
Positive Expression
Positive Expression
Quick recall of new information/memorization
Has new ideas, thinks "outside of the box"
Accurate self expression of emotions
Long attention span, can work alone for sustained time periods
Shows and checks work
Connects ideas and draws content-related inferences
Increased empathy towards others
Responsible, sophisticated thinking
Expressed Trait
Expressed Trait
Quick-learner
Creative
Intense
Independent
Perfectionist
Observant
Sensitive
Mature
Negative Expression
Negative Expression
Bores quickly, distracts others
Invents ways to avoid work/distract peers
Intimidating or overwhelming to others
Refuses to work cooperatively with others
Cannot accept mistakes by self and/or others
Uses observations to manipulate others
Easily upset
Avoids peer interactions, seeks adult attention
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