The authors presented different counseling tenets that not just counselors, but also, we, as teachers can use to address the concerns of our gifted learners. We can incorporate these tenets in our lessons so that others students can benefit with it as well. The counseling tenets discussed the book Socio-Emotional Curriculum with Gifted and Talented Students (2009) include the following: nonjudgmental, focusing on strengths, respecting and fostering autonomy, active listening, open-ended questioning, avoiding teacher/facilitator self-disclosure, respecting privacy and processing.
According to the book, nonjudgmental happens when a teacher does not impose his/her values to the students, he/she is open to learning more about the students’ world and collaborate with the families in order to get insights about the students (p. 212). One way that I have used for the past years on getting insight about my students with special needs was sending welcome letters and in that letter I included another sheet asking the parents to provide me information about their child’s strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and expectations. Another way to incorporate nonjudgmental in the lessons or activities is by allowing students to share their belief and the reason for believing this way. This can be in the form of projects, essays or debates.
Focusing on the strengths of the students goes hand in hand with being nonjudgmental. As a special education teacher, I learned to focus on what the exceptional children students can do well and work our way out on the things that they need to work on. The book discussed to focus on the solution and not on the problem (p. 215). How can we incorporate this in our daily lessons and activities? If a student is g...
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...ot only use the cognitive skills of the students but also their affect. This will allow the students to process and reflect on how they made that specific decision or answer. They are not just focusing on the end result but how they end up in that result or scenario. Teachers need to incorporate more reflection pieces or activities in their lessons because it not only enhances the cognitive skills of the children but also addresses their social and emotional needs.
In conclusion, as we go to our everyday lives of teaching the gifted learners, we have to consider their needs and we have the responsibility of helping them in a right way. Thus we have to remember these counseling tenets.
Reference:
VanTassel-Baska, J.L., Cross, T. L. & Olenchak, F. R. (Eds.). (2009). Social-Emotional
Curriculum With Gifted and Talented Students. Prufrock Press Inc. Waco, Texas.
Gifted and talented programs are intrinsically valuable to many children’s education as they provide a system in which all students involved are engaged, challenged, and intellectually stimulated. In "How People Learn", Donovan, Bransford, and Pellegrino (1999) stress the importance of each student being given reasonable and appropriate goals based on his or her level of understanding and competency (p. 20). Gifted and talented programs help institutionalize the attempt to meet all student’s needs by providing uniquely appropriate challenges which aim to keep every student engaged, thus receiving the best chance at success. Although there are many valuable and important aspects of gifted education, there are also significant issues rooted in the base of America’s gifted and talented programs, one of which I will address throughout this paper. In my opinion, the most notable problem which troubles gifted and talented programs is the system by which students are selected to join their school’s gifted and talented program.
Donovan, M. Suzanne and Christopher T. Cross (2002, August). Minority Students in Special and Gifted Education. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/lib/drexel/-docDetail.action?docID=10032383.
Adolescents. VanTassel-Baska, J.L., Cross, T. L. & Olenchak, F. R. (Eds.). Social-Emotional Curriculum With Gifted and Talented Students (pp. 133-151). Prufrock Press Inc. Waco, Texas.
Cloran (n.d.) suggest teachers need to have a broad understanding of giftedness and learning disabilities, a variety of identification measures and the ability to modify the curriculum and implement differentiated teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of all students. A graduate teacher recognises that students learn in their own way and should understand and be able to identify a number of teaching strategies to differentiate and meet the learning needs of all students. They may create groups based on previous assessment results and set clear or modified instructions for each group based on ability or learning styles. To address the specific learning needs of all student abilities, multi-sensory strategies using charts, diagrams, outside lessons and videos, as well as posters around the room or information on the desk could be used. Tomlinson (1999) suggests that differentiated instruction aims to build on student’s strengths and maximize their learning by adjusting instructional tasks to suit their individual needs. Ensuring teaching and instructions are clear, revising and prompting students during lessons and providing templates and assisting student in breaking down tasks into achievable, systematic chunks are some additional examples. Lucas, (2008) suggests highlighting key vocabulary within the text to focus students on the central concepts within the text. Quick finishing students should be provided with the opportunity to extend themselves with extension tasks that have a specific purpose and
Lavoie’s workshop provokes an emotional response. After viewing life through the eyes of a child with special needs, I cannot help but have a more significant understanding of what people, especially children with disabilities, must deal with every day, everywhere. During the many years that I have worked with children with various disabilities, I have encountered each of the topics discussed in Lavoie’s workshop and agree with the points he makes regarding children with disabilities. Particularly impacting the way I interact with my students are the topics concerning: anxiety, reading comprehension, and fairness.
The Integrated Curriculum Model has three main dimensions advanced content, process/product, and issues/themes. The first dimension, advanced content, is content that it at a higher level. In English Language Arts the readings are usually two grade levels above. Within advanced content, diagnostic-prescriptive approaches are used to promote new learning. Teachers are to continually pre-assess students before teaching content to make sure they are teaching at the appropriate level for the gifted students. In the second facet of the model it ensures that the students are thinking and processing information at higher complex levels. The third dimension of the Integrated Curriculum Model centers gifted and talented students learning around major issues and themes. To connect the themes and issues to real world applications is creating a deeper understanding of the material.
Renzulli, J. S., and J. H. Purcell. "Gifted Education: A Look Around and a Look Ahead." Roeper Review 18 (1996): 173-188.
My personal philosophy on special education begins with this firm conviction, I believe all children are “uniquely and wonderfully” made, and regardless of their disability, posse unique gifts and talents. My philosophy of special education has developed, not from just being a general education teacher for many years, and a graduate student in special education, but also from being blessed to be a parent of a special needs child. I believe that every child deserves to have the best possible education, regardless of their disabilities or challenges. It is our responsibility, as special education teachers, to not focus on a student’s disabilities and challenges, but rather focus and develop their personal gifts and talents, in an environment
“The secret in education lies in respecting the student,” said Ralph Emerson. The quote above reflects upon the sheer importance of respecting a student’s capacities, characters, and qualities alike in the school environment. Whether it be a teacher’s failure to recognize a student’s athletic talents or a negro parent succumbing to a segregationist legal system, ignorant mindsets plague the current philosophy of education. Instead, teachers ought to recognize a student’s artistic skills and athletic capacities and possession of the so-called gift of the gab. Parents ought to respect their children’s desires to exercise their free will and natural talents. Academic instructors ought to encourage scholars to strive for success by rendering genuine assistance, rather than inundating their lives with onerous tasks. Needless to say, the prevailing institution of “education” offers an insightful, open-minded approach to readying pupils for the ensuing workplace environments.
Schmitz, Connie C. and Judy Galbraith. Managing the Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted: A Teacher's Survival Guide. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing Company, 1985. 32-33.
Although the most important part of being an educator rests on focusing upon the needs of students when making classroom decisions, moreover, I consider the blend of philosophies which I advocate to be essential aspects of a school's curriculum. I believe that they will not only assist me in shaping the lives of my students when I begin teaching but will also aid me throughout the completion of my academic career. As I work toward a master's degree in the field of special education, after my graduation from Concord College, my educational philosophy will continue to grow. It will keep me grounded as a professional educator.
Lovecky, D. V. (1995). Highly Gifted Children and Peer Relationships. Counseling and Guidance Newsletter. Retrieved March 10, 2003, from http://print.ditd.org/floater=74.html.
There are several strategies on how to teach gifted students floating around in today’s educational theory. Grouping, using gifted classrooms, and enrichment are all options that are presented. While traditional high schools have the ability to design classrooms specifically for the gifted population, Carolina Academy does not have the means to create a class only for the gifted students. Due to placing students into inclusion, gifted students are not pulled into Honors classes. Instead of an Honors class, gifted students are provided opportunities of vertical enrichment, or access to the honors rubric. The honors rubric is designed for students to research independently on the same content that the other students are working off of. Towards the end of the project, the students are required to present the same content, however, with a deeper knowledge basis. The following strategies should be used at Carolina High School: Independent projects, vertical enrichment, mentors, and bloom’s taxonomy.
Parke, B. (n.d.). Challenging gifted students in the regular classroom. Retrieved March 1, 2004, from http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/Challenging_gifted _kids.html
A study performed in 1992, reported approximately 3,400,000 youth had failed to complete high school and were not enrolled in high school (Starr 1998). This statistic is based on the United States where job competition has greatly increased due to technology. Many of these student lacked the support and training necessary to succeed in today’s society. Currently in every high school across the nation, there is a person responsible for offering support and training to the youth of America. Available for all students is a guidance counselor. Counselors within the high school setting play an influential role in the forming of post high school goals through the planning of numerous activities.