Methods Schools Use for Identifying Gifted Students

Parents are often surprised to discover that identifying gifted students involves a combination of assessments rather than a single test. This is because giftedness involves a spectrum of traits that cannot be measured by IQ alone. While one student may be gifted musically, another may perform at a level beyond their peers academically. It is also understood that a child’s performance can vary from day to day, so it is better to observe for signs of giftedness over a period of time. As you explore the possibility that your child is a gifted learner, here is what you should know about the methods used during the identification process.

Behavior Inventories for Nomination

A child must be identified before they can be assessed for giftedness. Typically, a parent or educator will notice traits that are common among gifted learners such as mastering new lessons at a fast pace. During this part of the process, each adult who works with the student regularly completes checklists and behavior inventories to provide a complete picture of their overall learning style.

Student Records and Test Scores

Although child development specialists avoid making a determination for giftedness based upon a single test, viewing a child’s scores can provide insight into their achievements. Both intelligence and standardized tests may be analyzed during this part of the process. A student’s past report cards and other academic data may also provide further clues regarding how a student learns and performs at school. During this phase, educators often look for signs of asynchronous development, which is when a child excels in one area and struggles in another. While a low score in one academic field may be upsetting to parents, it often indicates that the student is focused on reaching new heights in another area.

Teacher Observation and Rating Scales

After completing the initial behavior checklist, teachers conduct a longer observation to ensure that patterns of gifted behavior continue over time. To aid in the process, special rating scales may be used to look for specific traits. For example, a teacher may observe the student as they work on a project to note how they adjust their learning approach to handle difficult tasks, or they may watch to see how long it takes for a child to master a new concept. If more than one teacher works with the child on a regular basis, then each one will conduct an assessment so they can be compared for commonalities.

Student Portfolios and Demonstrations

When a child is talented creatively, their accomplishments may not show up on a standardized test. Portfolios containing essays, photographs and art work may all be included in the determination of their giftedness. In some instances, videos or recordings of performances may also be used. For example, a child who plays an instrument at an advanced level may record a piece that they have mastered to be included in their assessment.

Although many things are covered during the identification process, it is important that each element is completed quickly. This is because gifted students need additional support throughout their school years to reach their full potential. As you work through the process of identifying gifted students, be prepared to research educational options that will provide them with a full range of support. For gifted learners, placement into a program designed for their learning style creates a firm foundation that allows them to excel.

The Best Summer Activities for Gifted Children and Teens

Many gifted children will find ways to entertain themselves if given alone time during the summer, but you don't want your kids lounging in bed until the late afternoon or spending the majority of their time alone. The summer months are the perfect opportunity to quench their thirst for in-depth exploration of topics that grab their interest. Gifted students can also improve their social skills and self-confidence while discovering new interests if you provide structured summer activities that match your child's personality. Consider these activities to get head start on planning your gifted learner's next summer.

Selecting Camps for Gifted Children

If you can't provide a structured learning opportunity that will help your child grow at home, consider signing them up for a summer camp. A residential camp can immerse children of all ages in memorable social experiences while they develop new skills or explore a topic of interest. If you want to keep your child closer to home or they don't feel comfortable staying overnight, commuter-based camps are available through many nonprofit organizations and universities.

The National Association for Gifted Children recommends that parents look for camps that meet all of these guidelines:

• Focused on one skill or academic area
• Adequately staffed with leaders possessing a high level of knowledge and talent in the skills or academic areas explored at the camp
• Advanced curriculum tailored to the needs and interests of gifted students
• Structured to include an evaluation or analytical process that will measure each participant's growth

Notice that this list rules out general camps where kids roast marshmallows by the fire and swim in the lake all day. Some camps may offer those fun summertime activities, but they should also have a strong focus on an academic interest or skill that your child wants to explore in more depth.

Immersion in Higher Education

If you know that your child will one day attend an ivy-league college, summer is the perfect time to prepare them for that inevitable future. The Summer Institute for the Gifted gives exceptional children between the ages of five and 17 the opportunity to explore some of the best American centers of higher learning through residential and day programs. Some of the schools offering programs include Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA and Yale. Note that these programs may require travel and other expenses if your child is accepted.

Learning through Travel

If you don't want to send your gifted child to camp and you have some free time, consider creating opportunities for learning, family bonding and tons of fun by traveling together. You may enjoy weekend getaways or academic-based trips during the school year, but the summer months are your opportunity to give your child an experience that will further their interest in a particular subject.

For instance, a trip to France is perfect for a teenager with an intense interest in the French language and culture. If you have a talented chef in the family, reward them with a culinary tour of Ireland or Italy. If you can't afford international travel, there are ways to do this closer to home. A child interested in marine life may enjoy swimming with the dolphins or a trip to the National Aquarium. A tour of every zoo in your region may help an animal lover learn while having fun.

Steal some of these ideas to help your child grow, and you might not hear "I'm bored" every five minutes next summer.

4 Books to Add to Your Gifted Learner's Reading List This Summer Break

Summer is the ideal time for your gifted child to indulge their love for reading with a huge stack of books. Since gifted learners tend to read well above their age level, it can be hard as a parent to know which books are best for their reader. As summer approaches, here are some suggestions for books that will stimulate your child’s interest while strengthening their reading skills.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Children who enjoy science fiction and superhero stories will enjoy diving into this book that combines both elements while inviting kids to explore the concept of what could happen if a tesseract (or wrinkle in time) exists. As the two main characters Meg and Charles attempt to cope in a world where they don’t fit in, their misfit status will resonate with gifted learners who often feel out of place among their peers. This classic book is also required reading in many schools, which will put your child a step ahead for upcoming years.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Gifted children tend to be very socially aware, and Lowry has written one of the most influential books of our time. In “The Giver”, everything seems ideal in the perfect society where everyone knows their role and there is no pain until Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memory and learns that there is a dark side to their community. Although this book tackles some tough subjects, it is done in a way that encourages children to develop their opinions about how much is worth sacrificing to live in a state of contentment and if a utopian society is even possible.

The Gifted Kid’s Survival Guide by Judy Galbraith, M.A.

This book comes in two versions to meet the needs of both teens and kids who are 10 years old and younger. In the book, tips and advice are offered on topics such as handling perfectionism, coping with bullies and dealing with high expectations from others. Fun facts, quizzes and notes from real children are all interspersed with factual information that helps kids feel less alone as they learn more about what it means to be gifted and talented.

House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

In a series of vignettes, Esperanza, a young Hispanic girl tells of her life living in an impoverished portion of Chicago. In many ways, it is a coming of age story as Esperanza begins to realize and yearn for a life better than that what she has seen in her community. Cisneros writes in simple everyday language that feels as though Esperanza is sitting right there, telling you about her observations on Mango Street. For gifted learners, the book pulls together themes such as feminism, poverty and free will while demonstrating how creative writing can veer from the traditional rules of language to evoke an emotional response from the reader.

On summer break, there is no greater joy than settling in to a stack of books. Whether your child is into science fiction or prefers to learn more about what it means to be gifted and talented, there are tons of books that you can add to their reading list. As you explore books to keep your child stimulated this summer, be sure to give them a read through too so you can enjoy lively discussions of the topics you discover together.

Summer Activities for a Highly-Gifted Child

Summer is an excellent time for educators or parents to plan extension-learning activities for children. Highly-gifted students love to learn and become bored without extra stimulation, so taking them on field trips or arranging after-school activities is vital. If your child is profoundly gifted, then keeping them enrolled in a year-round educational program that provides individualized lesson plans can help your child to excel.

Summer Activity One: Beach Activities
Playing at the beach is a fun summertime activity, but a child can also learn by studying this ecological system. There are seashells, insects and birds on the shore and marine life in the water that a child can observe and draw. After studying the plants and animals on and near the beach, your child can learn more by looking for information on the Internet or in books found at the library.

Summer Activity Two: Historical Tours
If your gifted child loves learning about history, then arrange tours of historical buildings or landmarks. A young child might enjoy visiting a pilgrim or pioneer historical village where there are actors pretending to be the real historical characters. On some historical tours, children are able to dress in clothing that is similar to what was worn long ago.

Summer Activity Three: Math Camps
When the weather is too hot for other activities, find a daytime or residential math camp for your older gifted child. Most of these sleepaway or day camps last for two weeks to give a child plenty of time to learn new mathematical topics. A student can learn more about fractions, decimals or geometry in addition to understanding how to apply mathematical concepts to other subjects.

Summer Activity Four: Archaeological Dig
Children are obsessed with dinosaurs or Egyptian mummies, and parents can arrange an archaeological dig in the United States or overseas. A child has an opportunity to learn about mummies or dinosaurs with knowledgeable scientists. They will spend part of each day in a classroom or laboratory, but the real learning occurs outside while digging through dirt to find bones and artifacts. 

What is Highly Gifted?

If you are the parent of a highly gifted child, then it is essential to find the proper educational environment for their needs. Intelligence testing is required to determine if a child is highly gifted, and their scores on tests are at the top of the range for certain subjects. In some cases, a highly gifted child excels in one or more subjects but is in the normal intelligence range for other subjects. Your child might be a linguistic genius who can learn to speak foreign languages quickly but may struggle to maintain an average score in mathematics.

About Individual Learning Plans for Highly Gifted Students

When a student is identified as highly gifted in one or several subject areas, a public school is required to create an individual educational plan to provide additional learning experiences. However, with the large class sizes in public schools combined with the lack of funding, you might feel that a child is not getting enough attention.

Traits of the Highly Gifted

Highly gifted children have a variety of traits that parents and teachers should recognize. Some of these traits include:

• Talking at an early age
• Developing a large vocabulary
• Asking complex questions
• Learning how to read at an early age
• Teaching themselves how to play a musical instrument
• Drawing, painting or sculpting high-quality art
• Creating unusual mathematical concepts
• An early interest in a particular type of science
• Learning subjects quickly

Seek a Specialized School for a Highly Gifted Child

While parents can augment the materials used in a public school environment to keep a highly gifted child interested in learning, it is frequently a good idea to find a private educational institution instead. The teachers at a specialized school for the gifted will plan lessons that can teach an assortment of types of intelligence, including:

• Spatial
• Naturalistic
• Musical
• Mathematical
• Linguistic
• Kinesthetic
• Intrapersonal
• Interpersonal

It is important for a highly gifted student to have exposure to the types of intelligence that they excel at in addition to the ones that they might struggle with in order to have the best education. 

Valentine’s Day Crafts for Your Gifted Learner

Gifted children can benefit from arts and crafts projects. Even a simple craft allows them to express their creativity and use their skills. Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday for crafting. If you have a gifted child, consider the following crafts.

Pop Out Cards

Instead of making a traditional Valentine out of construction paper, try something a little more advanced. Pop out cards are a fun twist on the traditional heart card. Fold a strip of paper accordion style. Then glue a shape to the end of the card. This creates a fun three-dimensional look, and it encourages children to be more creative.

Heart Flowers

Another fun Valentine craft involves making heart flowers. This craft can be as simple as cutting out hearts and gluing them on Popsicle sticks. For older children, you can use markers, colored straws, and fun embellishments. This allows the children to experiment with a variety of textures. Once they have made a bouquet of hearts, you can put them in a vase or Mason jar.

Puzzles

Valentine’s puzzles are particularly fun for gifted children to make. First, have the children create an image or note. Then, they can cut it into puzzle pieces. The pieces can be placed in an envelope or decorative bag. This is a great twist on the typical card, and it is fun for kids to give to their friends or family members.

Hanging Hearts

During the Valentine’s Day season, it is always fun to display hearts. You can hang them on the windows or from the ceiling. Gifted children love to use their creativity to create unique hearts. You can use tissue paper, markers, glitter, and ribbon for this fun and simple craft.

Remember, even a simple craft can spark creativity in your gifted learner. Crafts are also a great way to ensure that they stay engaged and avoid boredom, so try these options today.

Options for Your Gifted Child

If you suspect that your child is gifted, there are many options available to you to ensure that he or she gets the challenging and supportive environment needed to thrive. There are many signs that your child is gifted, and one of the best ways to confirm your suspicions is to have your child take a test. Here are some signs to look for in a gifted child:

·         Excellent visual perception: observant and above-average understanding of spatial relations

·         Advanced academic performance: ability to quickly memorize and excels in a particular area of study

·         Creative thinking: ability to think independently and originally

·         Leadership: excels in leadership positions among peers

These characteristics are not conclusive, however, and it is important for your child to take an intelligence quotient (IQ) or cognitive test.

A Supportive Environment

If you have decided to enroll your child into a gifted and talented education program, you can rest assured that his or her needs can be met and fully supported. These schools are familiar with the learning styles of gifted children and design the curricula accordingly. Perhaps the greatest benefit of enrolling a child into a gifted program is the ability to be surrounded by like-minded peers who share a passion for learning and creativity. These children will be supported by specialized faculty who will motivate and challenge the children to realize their full potential 

Additional Benefits

The benefits of sending a gifted child to a specialized program are numerous. Whereas your child may have felt bored in the traditional classroom, gifted and talented education programs aim to provide interactive and inquiry-based learning. Therefore your child can be lead by his or her interests and passions and supported by highly-trained teachers. The low student-teacher ratio also ensures that your child receives the attention to encourage rapid development. While gifted children may want to only study one particular subject, the nature of the gifted program will ensure that the a well-rounded curricula is experienced.