identifying the gifted children across your school from caterpillar to butterfly
TRANSCRIPT
Identifying the Gifted Children Across your School
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
The Agenda
1.Finding students with talent potential within your classroom and school
2.The importance of a whole school approach.
3.Looking differently at students
4.Steps to finding them.
5.Sharing and building momentum in your school
From Gagné Gifted behaviours are the natural,
untrained abilities in a range of domains
Talented performance is the result of systematic nurturing and development, resulting from practice, coaching and maturation and is demonstrated through field related skills and performance
Those who are talented perform within the top 10% of the population.
Talented performance is a choreography of the catalysts – environment, intrapersonal characteristics, giftedness and the developmental process.
From GagnéWithout a program of talent
development there is less chance of a gifted person reaching their potential
Talent development is about both environmental and intrapersonal characteristics
The developmental process is about practice,, coaching, maturation and time.
Who can identify the students we are talking about?
Classroom teachersParentsCounsellorsOther studentsOthers who work with students –
sport coaches, dance teachers, external tutoris, music teachers
Students themselvesAll of the above.
Activity
1.Write 10 things you would notice that might indicate possible talent potential.
2.Share with a partner – think about the youngest group in your school and the oldest group, What are the differences?
3.Join with another pair – combine your lists for a master list.
Checking in
Evidence of fast learning High curiosity in unusual ideas Unexpected depth of knowledge Language Humour Intensity Memory Keen interest in recoding Poor work habits Multi-tasking
And …..
Boredom, daydreamingOverdoing workUnfinished, incomplete work; low
qualityInterfering with othersProcrastinatingSmart alec behaviourCalling out/dominating classroom
discussion
Why think at a school level?
Entry abilityDevelopment ratesOffering chances to show potentialThe right of every child to
challenging learning within their ZPD
Ways to address it at a whole school level A whole school policy that begins
considering students as soon as they enter the school
Track evidence – keep records of demonstrations of talent at enrichment days, extracurricular tasks
Think outside the box – what are the ways students can demonstrate potential ?
Listen to what students offer an suggest Offer broad opportunities and then refine it. Look beyond schoolhouse giftedness.
Activity
Teacher pleaser? Schoolhouse giftedness? Talent? Take your earlier list and decide which of your indicators are those which relate to schoolhouse giftedness - while this is important who does this miss?
How might you notice the creative gifted students? Those with social/emotional giftedness?
Share and combine ideas.
Reflection
A formal test is not the only way to identify gifted children – and should really be the confirmation after an analysis of other data.
Talent is noticed over time – a portfolio of evidence will provide ample evidence, without relying on formal testing.
Noticing evidence in KLAs
Groups of 6 – ensure you have someone with an interest in each KLA.
Divide into KLA groups – ensure there is a representation from each home group.
Focus on your KLA – what might indicate an expert in this KLA at various levels of schooling – think about the skills and knowledge needed, the types of focus areas that fascinate experts in this area.
Make a list of things to look for.
Conclusion Those with talent potential can be noticed
in lots of different ways over their time in school.
We need to be alert to their potential in a variety of ways – not rely on a single test, or piece of evidence.
The potential a child has exists when they enter school, as they continue through school and as they reach the point of independent learners,
Can we give them the chance to shine?
A Process for Identification: Step 1: collect anecdotal evidence
Student completes a task at a deeper, higher level than expected.
Student contributes to classroom discussion with complex, relevant input
Student connects learning across KLAs or from earlier – makes an interesting conclusion
Student completes work accurately and speed
Students responds to material with obvious knowledge
Step 2
collect empirical evidence :Record results in standardised tests
from earlier in school lifeRecord classroom testing data –
class tests. Assignments,, classwork
Collect evidence from external sources – music exams, outside testing, succession competitions
Step 3
Collect anecdotal evidence from a range of sourcesParentsOther teachersSpecialist teachersCoachesThe studentsTheir peers and family
Step 4
Start to seek patterns of evidenceWhat types of patterns do you
notice? Are there clear areas of
excellence?Are there consistent examples of
needs? Are there gaps in the evidence?
Step 5
Observe and note the student in a range of settingsThe playgroundThe sport fieldThe musicalExcursionsFree timeLibrary borrowings
Step 6
Talk to the student and their family Include them in your thinkingLook beyond the conversationBe prepared for them to hide or
deny their talent
Step 7
Put it all together – what picture do you have of this student? Is further standardised testing
needed? What else do you need to know?
Step 8
Explore options –what can the school offer this student?AccelerationOpportunities for mentorsDifferent contentEnrichmentSkills development
Step 9
Set goals and time frameAllocate a program guideCheck in with the student that the
program ideas suit themSet out a contract or programImplement it
Step 10
Review and adjust the programKeep recordsMake notes of successContinue to plan and establish the
needs for the studentAllow scope for flexibility
Building whole school knowledge.
InformationExplorationGetting it into the classroomsCollect evidenceCelebrate success