By: Otto Schmidt, Gifted Programming Consultant, Contact at: www.accentonskills.com

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February, 2002

Creative risk-taking is crucial in motivating gifted students to become more self-directed, independent learners.

When enrichment is integrated as a regular motivating component of the curriculum, students should show greater effort and diversification in the kinds of information they gather, the way they gather it, process it and present it as a final product.

There are three main areas in which gifted students can creatively enrich their learning:

content – (what information will be sought and collected)

product – (methods of presenting)

Use the above to enrich:

1. Teachers may provide bonus marks for work that shows new independent skill development. Students should indicate what new skills were learned when presenting to encourage others to learn how and also to indicate that they may now be related in-class resource persons.
2. Students who clearly document and demonstrate the use of several different sources of information in submitted work could receive bonus marks.
3. Prepare a chart with a list of subject enrichment ideas that students may wish to use during the term. Document efforts for possible bonus marks or other recognition. Bonus marks can also be awarded for reaching a certain number completed.
4. Teachers or students may challenge students to find ideas/information that can be used in the next lesson. Be specific about the topics and reward those who put in extra effort.
5. Include regular opportunities for independent work for some gifted students and allow them to perhaps teach a group or the class if feasible.
6. Use a pre-determined list of internet sites for specific in-depth research related to a course.
7. Encourage all students to find mentors in their areas of interest.
8. Be on the alert for top students that could handle Advanced Placement courses for university credits.
9. Develop class assignments that connect to the local community e.g. interviews, videotape, visits to sites, etc.
10. Students might do presentations using audio/visual technology they may not be familiar with.
11. Allow some students to use Independent Learning Packages prepared by the teacher or students.
12. Students can become amazing announcers. They research and introduce guest speakers, other students, teachers, etc.
13. Find students with special expertise and have them teach teachers.
14. Start a new club based on the leadership in a class.
15. Include students on some teacher committees.
16. Allow students in the gifted program to receive half their credit in class and the other half based on work they do with a facilitator.
17. Design a point system for efforts above and beyond the call of duty and present students with awards at the end of the school term/year.
18. Set up GIC’s or RSP’s with reserve Student Council money. Use the interest to sponsor or subsidize students when they wish to go to conferences. Some can be fully funded. Provide for and encourage those students who would not normally go.
19. If a teacher teaches more than one grade level, arrange cross-grade grouping for projects or studies.
20. Provide simulations and gaming situations.
21. Provide subject-related brainteasers on a regular basis for credit or reward.
22. Establish class groups that are responsible for providing enrichment of some sort for the class each week or month. This may or may not be related to the subject or the unit being worked on.

Students and teachers can do many things to enhance and enrich learning. By enriching the areas of content, process, and product, all students will be exposed to interesting challenges. New skills will be learned; there will be greater participation in more complex endeavours, and motivation should increase. Many areas of school life can be enriched for the benefit of all involved.