Gifted+Kids+Notes+-+July+22,+2011

=Notes on Gifted Kids= July 22, 2011

The designated note-taker will add notes to the this page as we progress through the workshop. Feel free to add to them at breaks.

Technology and books are just tools.

Wiki, backchannel (TodaysMeet) are tools to use with kids. Typewith.me is a method to make a collaborative document.

Books and authors become meaningful in our lives. Criteria for a "great book" for gifted kids: -gifted kids as characters or character dealing with gifted tendencies, -reading level must be appropriate and -content must be age appropriate.

Products choices for gifted kids: -add a page to wiki -create your own wiki -start a blog -create a glog

Bibliotherapy-using books or movies to help people to deal with or solve problems. -must include reflective discussion about the book.

Reading characteristics of gifted children: -they read earlier -they read longer -they read better -they read a wider variety -their reading is more spontaneous -they nearly all learn to read independently soon after instruction ends, sometimes before

Gifted readers need -to be exposed to challenging information about environmental culture -to be exposed to various subjects and concerns -to be allowed to pursue interests -to use increasingly difficult vocabulary and concepts

4 ways gifted kids differ from other people: -asynchronous development: gifted kids develpment is out of sync with typical kids... their cognitive development is far above average kids, they are somewhat above average in their emotional development. We must think in out of sync ways to teach gifted kids. Judgement is the last thing in the brain to develop, so judgement lags behind intellect. Asynchronous development makes it hard to find friends. They must have peers in/at their various levels, whether it be intellectual, physical, emotional, etc. Gifted kids must have extreme differentiation. -degree of giftedness: gifted kids are at an IQ of 130 or higher. The degree of giftedness is the distance from the mean. -intrinsic motivation: they are intrinsically motivated to know things, what they really connect with. The usual reward systems are not effective with gifted kids. Teachers have to help gifted kids see what is in it for them. -introversion: they are not shy, they get their energy from being alone. They may work well in a group in the morning, but not in the afternoon because they are tired. Gifted kids get alone time in books.

Gifted people have OVEREXCITABILITIES: Intellectual overexcitability: -the kids that NEED to know -the kids that ask questions constantly -they have unanswerable questions -they are critical of others -perfectionism -procrastination -don't talk about "doing your best" Emotional overexcitability: -everything is a big deal -everything is personal -they aren't going to stop being oversensitive -they get really attached to things -they are critical of self -they have physical symptoms along with emotional issues Imaginational overexcitability: -have a very rich dream life, they "check out" often -they can have a dream life going on, but still are absorbing info from class -vivid dreams, they dream in color -elaborate stories, they have a great story to tell -mix truth and fiction -have multiple imaginary friends and sets of friends -they really like science fiction or fantasy Psychomotor overexcitability: -they have extra physical energy -their speech is rapid -fast games -movement -nervous habits -they need little sleep -impulsivity -they interrupt often -workaholic, as adults Sensual overexcitability: -hightened senses, can lead to issues -dischord

Asperger's Disorder has similarities to giftedness.

WESTLANDIA, by Paul Fleischman, Kevin Hawkes...excellent book for gifted kids!