Archive for the ‘Talented’ Category

Gifted And Talented Home School Graduates

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Most of the culture in the next twenty years will be created by gifted and talented home school graduates.

Summary of definition of G&T: Any person who exhibits measurable and exceptional skills in a(n) area(s). The characteristics must be excessive (almost too high to measure). A very small portion of our population is G&T. Someone could be very smart, very, very smart, and not be G&T. Our children have a 1-in-20 chance of being G&T. The difference between smart and G&T is the difference between the Book of Romans and the Book of John–both are important, both are anointed, but Romans is profoundly different–not superior–than John.

Summary of characteristics of a G&T person: the high IQ (over 135) and often a behavior problem (not always). At the skill application level G&T students exhibit: elaboration, originality, divergent thinking, and problem solving. Social skills include: cooperative learning approaches, shared decision making, active participation, self-management skills, and a process-oriented approach.

  • Shows superior reasoning powers and marked ability to handle ideas; can generalize readily from specific facts and can see subtle relationships; has outstanding problem-solving ability. The high IQ may be the best indicator of G&T.
  • Shows persistent intellectual curiosity; asks searching questions; shows exceptional interest in the nature of man and the universe.
  • Has multiple interests, often of an intellectual kind; develops one or more interests to considerable depth.
  • Is markedly superior in quality and quantity of written and/or spoken vocabulary; is interested in the subtleties of words and their uses.
  • Reads avidly and absorbs books well beyond his or her years.
  • Learns quickly and easily and retains what is learned; recalls important details, concepts and principles; comprehends readily.
  • Shows insight into arithmetical problems that require careful reasoning and grasps mathematical concepts readily.
  • Shows creative ability or imaginative expression in such things as music, art, dance, drama; shows sensitivity and finesse in rhythm, movement, and bodily control.
  • Sustains concentration for lengthy periods and shows outstanding responsibility and independence in classroom work. Sets realistically high standards for self; is self-critical in evaluating and correcting his or her own efforts.
  • Shows initiative and originality in intellectual work; shows flexibility in thinking and considers problems from a number of viewpoints.
  • Observes keenly and is responsive to new ideas.
  • Shows social poise and an ability to communicate with adults in a mature way.
  • Gets excitement and pleasure from intellectual challenge; shows an alert and subtle sense of humor.

(Adapted from ERIC, http://ericec.org/digests/e476.htm)