Learn More About the Needs of Gifted Students this Summer

The summer is a time when many parents and teachers finally have time to devote to some of those goals that were pushed aside during the academic year. For those wanting to learn more about gifted students and their needs, there are many opportunities for exploration. Educator Tamara Fisher shares some of these activities, some happening in-person at locations across the country, and others happening virtually that are accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Conferences are a great way to gain unique insight from other teachers and parents from across the nation concerned with these issues; I encourage you to take a step toward helping the gifted student or students in your life by taking a look at the events happening this summer.

Brain Teasers for Gifted Kids

by Carol Fertig

Looking for puzzles to exercise the minds of your students? Are you in search of interactive puzzles for your kids at home? Post a puzzle a day or a puzzle a week in your classroom. Present a puzzle to your kids while driving in the car. Create a puzzle corner at home or at school.

 

The Internet is full of games and puzzles that work the brain and help kids think outside the box. Just search on such terms as “brainteasers” or “puzzles.” Here are just a few sites that will keep you and your gifted kids occupied for a good long time.

 

Brainteasers, Puzzles, & Riddles is hosted by NIEHS Kids’ Pages. Some of these are easy enough for the younger set.

 

Brain Boosters is found at the Discovery Education website. Many of these are quite difficult, so are more appropriate for older students.

 

The Sunday Puzzle is brought to you by NPR. Each week, puzzlemaster Will Shortz presents an on-air quiz. At this site, you will find an archive of his puzzles. These are probably the most challenging puzzles of the three sites I have listed here.

This blog post initially appeared on the Gifted Child Info Blog on September 17, 2010.

Seeking Item Analysis Data Collection Examiners for SIGS-2

Prufrock Press is currently seeking examiners to participate in field-testing for the revision of the Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS; Ryser & McConnell). The second edition of the SIGS will include both a Web-based and print edition.

This established instrument consists of a school rating scale and a parent rating scale and is a quick, effective test for assessing the characteristics of students who are gifted in the following areas:

1. General intellectual ability
2. Creativity
3. Leadership
4. Language arts
5. Mathematics
6. Science
7. Social studies

Time Commitment and Compensation

• The SIGS takes approximately 15 minutes for a rater to complete.
• Ratings are completed online.
• Prufrock Press needs at least 10 students rated (by a teacher and the parent/guardian) at each age of 5–13 (i.e., 10 students for each of the nine ages, minimum total of 90 students).
• Monetary compensation is $450.00.

Rater Criteria

• The SIGS School Rating Scale is to be completed by the student’s teacher.
• The SIGS Home Rating Scale is to be completed by the student’s parent or guardian.

Student Criteria

• Ages 5–13
• Either gender
• Any race and ethnic category
• Full-time general education
• Not identified as gifted and not low functioning (5% LD, ADHD is alright)

To participate or obtain more information, please e-mail Chris Anne Worsham and include "SIGS-2" in the subject line.

Essential Resources for Teaching Twice-Exceptional Students

With the increasing numbers of students served in inclusive classrooms, more teachers may find themselves working with twice-exceptional students—gifted students with learning difficulties. Like any other student with learning difficulties, these students have special learning needs and strengths that need to be addressed. Teachers may find the following resources helpful in serving the twice-exceptional students in their classroom:

• 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter: This monthly newsletter shares the latest news and helpful strategies for teachers of gifted students with learning difficulties, ADHD, autism, and more.
• Hoagies Gifted: Twice Exceptional: This roundup of links to information on twice-exceptional students is great for teachers wanting to find tons of resources in one location.
• Council for Exceptional Children: Twice Exceptional: This page provides both an official definition of twice-exceptional students from the Council for Exceptional Children and links to articles and organizations that support these students.
• Twice-Exceptional Students: Gifted Students With Disabilities: This free pdf from the Colorado Department of Education provides an introduction to teaching these students. 

We hope these resources help you as your serve all of the students in your classroom!

Summer Activities for Gifted Students: Volunteering

Are you looking for a way to keep your child occupied this summer? This post on Psychology Today discusses the merits of service learning as a way to keep kids engaged over the summer. The post also discusses ways that parents can make the experience even more meaningful for their child, which include tips on how to have an open discussion about volunteering with your child and a discussion on the importance of making a commitment to help others. 

Information on summer programs, including service learning opportunities, can be found in one of our resources, The Ultimate Guide to Summer Opportunities for Teens.