Gifted Learners:
Something that surprised me from the video resources is how gifted students typically can have anxiety with group projects and grades because of their drive for perfection. I believe that one of the methods we are taught is partner and group work because it does have many benefits for students (interpersonal communication, safety net for speaking, more engaging) and for teachers (less grading, collaboration, everyone is speaking and listening). However, some students do not enjoy working in groups for various reasons. Anxiety from perfection being a reason that I have not really thought about. For gifted students, working with others may cause anxious feelings because of their need for perfection and their social communication skills. I personally have seen this play out in my placement with a student who really finds his classmates immature and does not enjoy their comments in class or working with them. He tends to do his work alone and does not want to work with a partner or group. I've noticed that if he is with a group, he's usually withdrawn from the activity and will do a separate page all for himself.
Something that surprised me from the video resources is how gifted students typically can have anxiety with group projects and grades because of their drive for perfection. I believe that one of the methods we are taught is partner and group work because it does have many benefits for students (interpersonal communication, safety net for speaking, more engaging) and for teachers (less grading, collaboration, everyone is speaking and listening). However, some students do not enjoy working in groups for various reasons. Anxiety from perfection being a reason that I have not really thought about. For gifted students, working with others may cause anxious feelings because of their need for perfection and their social communication skills. I personally have seen this play out in my placement with a student who really finds his classmates immature and does not enjoy their comments in class or working with them. He tends to do his work alone and does not want to work with a partner or group. I've noticed that if he is with a group, he's usually withdrawn from the activity and will do a separate page all for himself.
In general, it is essential that we as educators understand that gifted students are often mislabeled. We need to know who our students are. It's also important that all of our students are comfortable in our classrooms. Gifted students may prefer to work alone rather than in groups, that's okay.
Let me know what your CT says, I am curious to see. Now that you know about gifted students you should be able to apply this to the classroom, I know I am. I like your suggestion on technology, I suggested something similar. But educators do need to recognize all types of students, especially gifted, because these students sadly fall under the radar :(.
ReplyDeleteYes, technology can be a good way for a gifted student to take the lesson/unit content to the next level, where learning can begin.
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DeleteI am glad to hear that you can now recognize this student as needing more challenge and perhaps different considerations for grouping.
ReplyDeleteI knew a fourth grader that his teacher didn't like him to read when he was done with his homework in 5 minutes and he had 10 minutes left and nothing to do. He felt his teacher was angry with his reading (perceived due to his sensitivities from being gifted) but she wouldn't give him harder work so he was very anxious to get in trouble and to make a good choice. If a student is challenged to their learning level then it will take them just as long to do their work as the other students. Pre assessing the unit will tell your CT who needs more challenge or more help. It will also be a way to group appropriately. While mixed ability groups have their place, they don't work for the extreme students on either end. Group a couple gifted students together (from your class or with one from another class) for group work to be able to engage in discussion. This also allows the struggling student a voice in a group where the gifted student might have driven the thinking. God reflection!
I agree that we often forget that some students do not enjoy group work. It can cause anxiety for some, and I don't blame them! I personally get very frustrated in a group if others are not contributing and then we get the same grade. I would either get a poor grade or the other person would get a better grade than earned, and in both cases it is not fair or a correct representation of the work that was done. We can't forget these students that prefer to work alone, though it can be good to teach them collaboration skills.
ReplyDeleteAccommodating diverse learners has been challenging for me to feel like I am covering all my bases for student learning needs. One of the things that immediately came to mind when I was thinking about an individual doing a group project was the "tic tac toe" choice board that we talked about at our most recent PD day. Allowing students to choose is a really powerful way for students to take their learning into their own hands. With a tic tac toe choice board students pick a row, column, or diagonal group of three choices. The easier options go in the four corners and the more difficult options make a + sign in the middle. Gifted students should be encouraged to choose three of the more difficult options to give them a good challenge. This way students that are not gifted are allowed to choose freely and all students are still picking three options. Students that typically have trouble in class could even be encouraged to choose three project options from the four corners to help them out.
ReplyDeleteI do think accommodating diverse students is challenging, but it seems like all the time I am learning about ways to do it that are not overwhelming for teachers.
I think it is interesting that your CT does not allow the student to read the book. I understand that he or she might be frustrated that the student is no longer engaged in the class if they are reading their book. However, I do think students need to be given some kind of outlet all the time whether they are gifted or not. In my very little experience of teaching I have found that the relationship with a student is absolutely essential. I really appreciate your thought to approach the student and have a conversation with them about what is going on and working together to provide a solution. I have had some of those conversations with students that have gone really well. I hope it all turns out well for you!