The Curriculum Itself

Itself
*Differentiation
*Goal setting, planning, and
self-reflection
*Mentorship or peer
support
*Problem-solving focus
*Theme-based units
*Special programs or
interest groups
*Merging of subject matter
with computer technology
to form virtual learning
environments
(Mulrine, 2007).

Tara Stewart
ColleyAnn Flint
Theresa Norton
McCleskey Middle School

The Ideal
Classroom:
What Does
Gifted Learning
Look Like?

The Gifted Classroom

Gifted students in the middles school are
served through advanced content classes in
English/Language Arts, Math, Science,
Social Studies, and Foreign Language.
Advanced content courses present students
with more complex subject matter at an
accelerated pace. Students in middle school
advanced content classes are expected to go
beyond baseline standards and develop
higher order critical thinking, reasoning,
and writing skills in core content areas that
will ensure academic success during future
academic years. (Cobb County Gifted
Teaching and Learning)

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR

THE TEACHER?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

FOR MY CHILD?

*TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND

COUNSELORS DEVELOP IDEAS FOR
GUIDING THE SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF
GIFTED LEARNERS.

GIFTED LEARNERS SHOULD...

*RECOGNIZE THAT A BALANCE MUST

EXIST BETWEEN MEETING SOCIAL
AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS AND
ACADEMIC NEEDS

*EXPLORE ADVANCED OR
UNUSUAL SUBJECT MATTER
THAT POSES A CHALLENGE.

*ALLOW FOR FLEXIBILITY AND

INDIVIDUALITY
*ENCOURAGE NONACADEMIC
PURSUITS
*TEACH SOCIAL SKILLS AND STRESS
MANAGEMENT SKILLS

*BE EXPOSED TO VARIOUS

ENVIRONMENTS AND
CULTURES.

*BE PROVIDED WITH

OPPORTUNITIES TO ANALYZE,
EVALUATE, AND SYNTHESIZE.
*WORK COLLABORATIVELY,
ESPECIALLY WITH OTHER
GIFTED PEERS.
*COMMUNICATE AND
EXCHANGE IDEAS IN REALWORLD SITUATIONS.

Qualities of an Ideal Gifted Classroom

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES/
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

*HAVE OPEN
COMMUNICATION WITH
PEERS, TEACHERS, PARENTS,
AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS.HAVE
A SENSE OF BELONGING TO A
COMMUNITY.
(CLARK, 2013)

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
DIFFERENTIATION