Good Teaching Techniques for Instruction of Gifted Students in a Regular Education Classroom

I am gifted. I am a teacher. The combination of the two sometimes is frustrating, given that most students are not gifted. However, I am keenly aware from personal experience and professional training that a differentiated curriculum is vital when teaching gifted students in a regular education classroom setting. This article shares teaching strategies that work well to meet the needs of gifted and talented students.

Imagine sitting in a ninth grade Algebra I class. All around you are classmates, some of whom can barely comprehend a third grade reading level. You have been reading college level material since age 8. You know the answers and how to approach a math question after seeing one or two examples. Others don't "get it" until after thirty. These are some of the situations gifted and talented students often endure. If a teacher does not notice a gifted student's boredom, either very little learning will occur, or the student will act out in some way.

Using differentiated instruction in a classroom with high academic level diversity is the ultimate solution to these situations. There are several ways to differentiate instruction and assignments within the regular education classroom.

Individualized Project
Since gifted students often finish an assignment quickly, develop a project in which the student expands upon the topic's content in a deeper way. For example, if the assignment was to create a time-line of the Civil War, perhaps a gifted student could choose a particular Civil War battle, research it, and make some sort of product out of the information. Do not, however, make them do more of the same. In math class, for instance, do not assign a gifted student fifty problems and a regular education student twenty. It is monotonous work, and of no benefit to someone who probably understood after a mere 5 problems.

Community Mentoring
In most cases, gifted students are quite specialized in their interests and very passionate about them. As such, a gifted and talented individual may benefit from working with a community leader somehow connected with their passion - especially if receiving classroom credit for their participation. The community member would essentially be a tutor for the gifted student, expanding their knowledge about real world aspects of the workplace or community in general. Do not, however, have a gifted student sign up as a tutor or classroom helper. Try to expand their knowledge to keep them interested and learning.

Outcomes
It is possible, although time-consuming, to study the same topics in class but expect different outcomes based upon a student's ability level. Rubrics help with this, as does using Bloom's Taxonomy. When testing, provide students with various assessments, including higher level thinking on gifted students' exams such as "analyze, synthesize, or evaluate" questions.

While it is not always easy to address the needs of such a variety of students in a regular education classroom, with a bit of time and creativity all students will find class interesting and a great place to learn.

Do you use differentiated teaching strategies to meet the needs of gifted and talented students? Please comment below.

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