Word

Highly Gifted Learners

Definition
A highly gifted learner is one who generally has an IQ range between 140-159 on a standardized test or who
possesses a profoundly developed talent in a particular area, usually music or math; exhibits asynchronous
development; results from environmental and genetic factors.

Cognitive/Developmental Traits Social/Emotional Traits

 Early reading (2-3 years)  Emotional sensitivity
 Expansive vocabulary for their age  Strong desire to conform to peers
 A longer concentration/attention span o pretending to not know what they do know
 Learns in big, intuitive leaps o underachieving
 Accelerated progression through speech and o acting out
movement development o may experience social isolation
 Deeper processing, intent focus on interests, a fast  May relate to others well; empathetic
thinker
 Cognitive development may not match social
development
Suggestions for Serving the Highly Gifted Symbolic Illustration
 Intentionally and proactively provide for their
needs to prevent anxiety and depression
“disestablishmentarianism”
 Students should be placed with academic peers
 Students should have a least restrictive social
environment; a balanced
E=mc2
academic/social/emotional environment is 2 2 2
a +b =c
essential
 Nurture learners in their weaknesses and strengths
 Congregated classrooms may be best (full-time,
separate classes or schools that congregate gifted
students together to receive specialized
instructions or training)
*Difficulties may arise with the implementation of congregated classrooms
for highly gifted learners in the South Fulton Learning Community due to
low numbers possibly resulting from low identification of these particular
students. It may be impractical to have, essentially, a “small-group”
congregated class in a school for the highly gifted when that school may not
have many students identified as such. Placing these students in this type of
class may not be their least restrictive social environment. However, a
possible solution would be to replicate the ESOL model, where highly
gifted students in the SLC all attend one SLC school offering congregated
classes.
 Questions to Support Your Understanding:
I. Describe an appropriately challenging or
educationally stimulating classroom for a
highly gifted learner. (Mastery)
II. Explain a viable curriculum for a highly gifted
learner with who is placed in their least
restrictive academic and social environment.
(Understanding)
III. Create one learning objective, based on your
demographic, for the highly gifted learner in a
full inclusion classroom. Congregated
classroom? (Synthesis)
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Resources:
Website(s):
I. Research in Practice
https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/10_highly_gifted.htm
http://bit.ly/H_G_L
Highly Gifted Paradigm(s):
I. Paradigms of Highly Gifted-
Child & Adult perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eILm-k4B6Pg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybmgVSdsMu8
The Highly Gifted Classroom (Handouts):

I. Genius Hour
II. Example Project
III. Recommendation(s) for Teachers