Presented by Otto Schmidt, Gifted Programming Consultant, Toronto, ON Contact information at: www.geocities.com/oschmidtca

Getting the Most Out of Gifted Learners

1. Curriculum Differentiation

Acceleration - get that course done faster.

Telescoping - reducing the course time.

Compacting - reducing time in regular curriculum.

Independent Study - pursue own interests.

Tiered Assignments - same content, different activities & questions.

Learning Centres - physical "stations" for different engagement.

Career Studies - first-hand experiences.

Contests - in school and anywhere else.

Science Fairs - provide specialized assistance.

      2. Expert & Specialist Approach

Any Topic of Interest

Specialist (depth)

---

Expert (breadth)

             3. Modifying Content, Process, Product

a) Content - Vehicles for Delivery:

• in-class handouts
• assignments/homework
• teacher lesson plans
• excursions/follow-up
• discussions/meetings
• student projects
• in-school clubs
• in-school events/special days
• personal learning/development
• independent study units
• short-term, self-directed learning
• group studies/research
• student products in assigned units of work
• seatwork/written exercises
• individual/team presentations
• studying/reviewing
• skill development/acquisition
• enhancing plain, ordinary ideas
• difficult tasks/learning
• highly theoretical/abstract learning
• problem-solving situations

Interesting Unusual Content for Gifted Students

(from "Gift Rap" Newsletter on DiscoverTeenergy.com - "So You Vant to Visit Vebsites)

SO YOU WANNA…WHAT? (www.soyouwanna.com)

Artistic Realization Projects, Bible-Approved Undergarments, Blogs (web logs), Child Soldiers, Dog Poetry, Space.com, edible art, sand sculptures, inspirational sayings, prophecy, stinky feet diaries, travel secrets, bad candy, bigfoot encounters, Bill Gates Foundation, ethical investing, good manners in other countries, ABE books, mysteries of the Bible, Skeptic Magazine, Spiritual exercises, yuckiest sites on the internet, British Christmas jokes, Paris catacombs, lesser known important people, little museums of North America, putting pets to rest, Mississippi Hand Grabbing, stunning internet art galleries, balloon twisting, buy stuff for pennies, tattoo art, death clock, labyrinth, little people of the world, sound effects, live cameras in the world, virtual canoe trips

    b) Process

Teach gifted students SKILLS in the areas of:

Self-Awareness

- body-mind-spirit relationships, natural eye exercises,

shiatsu, acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy, nutrition

psychology, sociology, motivation, senses, body language

Research

- effective use of search engines, learn from professional

research experts such as lawyers, consultants, polls, surveys,

statistical analysis, propaganda techniques, note taking

Creativity

- brainstorming, SCAMPER, guided fantasies, visualization,

Bloom's Taxonomy, lateral thinking, playfulness, imagining, free flow writing

Spirituality - world religions, mysticism, pilgrimmages, retreats, meditation,

relaxation & stress control, inner peace, balance, harmony

Higher-level Thinking

- problem-solving skills, analytical skills, Bloom's

Taxonomy, philosophy, deductive-inductive thinking

Communication

- interviewing, debating, public speaking, use of A-V

equipment, stimulus variation, sensory approach

Leadership

- decision making, negotiation tactics, emotional maturity,

multiple intelligences, consensus gathering, how to influence,

problem-solving, managerial skills, team work, motivating others

c) Product

(from DiscoverTeenergy.com

Feature Topic - Gifted & Enrichment - "Finding & Presenting Information Bank) Samples

Announcement Biography Book Box Brochure Building Bulletin board Club

Code Collage Collection Energy saving device/plan Equipment Hatchery Hats Headlines "Helper" service Internet Interviews Inventions

Magazine Magic trick Riddle Robot Role playing