The Gifted

GIFTEDNESS MAY MANIFEST IN ONE OR MORE DOMAINS

SUCH AS; INTELLECTUAL, CREATIVE, ARTISTIC,
LEADERSHIP. OR IN A SPECIFIC ACADEMIC FIELD SUCH AS
LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS OR SCIENCE.
Does environment and genetics contribute to
giftedness?

 Most researchers agree that it is a combination of both, studies have shown

various different outcomes. 
 A majority of research has revealed that highly gifted individuals come from
supportive families and have good school support.
 To contradict that, there are gifted individuals who struggle with their personality and
have a difficult home life. Albert Einstein, for example, came from a rough
upbringing and his father believed he was a failure.  
 Albert Einstein 
 He was said to
be a bad student in his
earlier days.
 He had a hard time paying
attention and his thoughts
would wander.
 When he took the entrance
examination for a
polytechnic school in
Zurich, he flunked. (He
passed the math part, but
failed the botany, zoology
and language sections.)
 Gifted children do not always exceed in
School
 Just because someone is gifted does not necessarily mean that they will be the top of their
class. 
 Gifted children, or adults, are usually superior in one specific talent in a particular
area.
 Music 
 Mathematics
 Science
 Sports
 A number of experts argue that typical U.S. classrooms often do not meet the
educational needs of gifted children.
 Many of schools have the policy "No Child Left Behind" which helps kids who are
not succeeding more so than the child who is doing exceptionally well. 
 Stereotypes 

 There are two opposing stereotypes for gifted individuals

 The first suggests that gifted students are
friendlier, kinder, and are more thorough. (having more drive
to succeed than most)
 The second suggests that gifted students are social misfits,
more introverted, and socially incompetent. 
 An example of stereotyping gifted individuals, is the well
known tv show The Big Bang Theory. 
 Is every gifted individual like Sheldon? Socially awkward and a
misfit? The answer is no. 
 Speed Painter Takes the Stage on America’s
got Talent

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9ficvPdpZg
Stereotype myth- the gifted child is different
or "odd"

 Fact- Studies indicate that gifted students are highly stable. In fact, teachers have
often times failed to identify gifted individuals because they seem so "normal".
 For example, Christopher Michael Langan is said to be the smartest man in
America. Can you guess his occupation? He's a bouncer at a night club. 
 He is mentioned in the book Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt
 Chris's IQ is 195, which is the highest that has ever been recorded. He has
intellectual giftedness.  
 IQ Testing

 An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a total score derived from numerous

standardized tests designed to measure human intelligence.

 IQ testing is used in schools, and in most cases, determine which students are

gifted.
 In some instances; however, it can fail to tell which students are gifted in one specific
area; for example, visual/performing arts or psychomotor abilities.
Some Things You May not Know…

 Gifted children can have learning disabilities

 These children are known as being twice exceptional, but often times, go unnoticed because their
advanced cognitive abilities mask their learning disabilities. 

 Gifted children often develop asynchronously.

 Asynchronously is an uneven growth or imbalance of developing traits, skills, and abilities.
Characteristics of Someone who is Gifted… 

 Unusual alertness, even in infancy.

 Often self-taught in reading and writing skills as a preschooler.
 Their thinking is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful.
 They have a longer attention span and intense concentration.
 They can have a wide range of interests or are extremely focused in one
particular area. 
 They have a highly developed sense of curiosity. 
  Gifted People  

 Pablo Picasso was one of the most talented and

influential artists in the 20th century.

 Picasso is known for endlessly reinventing himself, switching

between styles that were radically different.

 His life's work appeared to be the product of five or six great

artists, rather than just one.
Sources

 "Albert Einstein: Fact or Fiction?" History, 2009,

www.history.com/topics/einsteins-life-facts-and-fiction. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.
"Common Characteristics of Gifted Individuals." National Association for Gifted Children, 2007,
www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/my-child-gifted/common-characteristics-gifted-indi
viduals
. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.
Trepanier,
Celi. "Facts about Gifted Children You May Not Know." Fractus Learning, 25 Jan.
2017, www.fractuslearning.com/2015/11/16/facts-about-gifted-children/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.
"Understanding Giftedness." Abcontario, 17 Sept. 2017,
www.abcontario.ca/resources-support/understanding-giftedness/myths-stereotypes. Accessed 19
Oct. 2017.