I write this article in an attempt to establish my own view upon gifted and talented education and as an attempt to review and analyse the perspectives and opinions of others in the field of education. I will examine how people believe gifts and talents are created in an attempt to establish and affirm my own viewpoint. I will look at what I…

This article discusses how schools can best meet the needs of precocious children by giving them access to higher level and more challenging instructional materials. Findings from a study of 40 precocious third and fourth graders are described and the benefits of acceleration are highlighted, particularly grade advancement and advanced placement…

This article explores some of the key issues associated with the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the classroom. To illustrate ICT integration, a teaching project on dinosaurs, which has been developed with students ages 10-11, is presented. A detailed scheme of work and lesson plans is included. (Contains 4 references.)…

A study examined the transcript of a group enquiry conducted according to the practice of philosophical enquiry with eight gifted children (ages 8-12). Use of a central metaphor was seen to play the role of a "conceptual playground," permitting the children to exercise both their imagination and their reasoning abilities. (Contains references.)…

This article discusses how to recognize young gifted children (ages 5-8), gifted education, and issues for teachers. Educators are urged to enable students to make their thinking visible, allow autonomy in learning, allow for imagination and time for deep level thinking, challenge able children, and help children to be self-critical. (Contains 4…

A qualitative study of 5 highly creative kindergartners and 5 low creative kindergartners in Korea, found that the mothers and fathers of highly creative children had consistent child rearing styles. The mothers of highly creative cases provided rich home environments to foster creativity and encouragement compared to low creative cases. (Contains…

This article explores how gifted children learn to think. Issues related to the learning experiences of gifted children emerge from a consideration of work collected from primary classrooms and are developed by reference to children's work on a structured program designed to support aspects of thinking associated with decision making. (Contains 5…

This article discusses strategies for differentiating the curriculum for gifted students by using a creative approach to language teaching. It provides suggestions for co-operative and creative classroom language activities, including making a syllable pie, starting a dictionary of sub-cult words, cryptic crosswords, poetry, and tracing language…

This article discusses outcomes of a study that indicated gifted children as young as 6 years old can use metacognitive processes for solving math problems, are aware of knowing certain operations and are able to use them automatically, and know which strategy they usually use for solving problems. (Contains references.) (CR)

This article emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift and an underlying change in attitude toward the teaching of reading. Educators are urged to leave behind the traditional linear approach to teaching and instead respond to divergent modes and styles of learning among students. The concept development approach is described. (CR)

Describes the development of an undergraduate training course in gifted education at the University of Brasilia, Brazil. The course objectives were to acquaint students with the needs of gifted children, to help students critically analyze current gifted practices, and to train school psychologists to implement a creative training program.…

Outlines the rationale for founding the Radford House, a school in Johannesburg, South Africa, for primary school gifted students. Discusses confusion regarding definitions and identification, reasons for enrollment, and stressors. The development of unique teaching strategies and skills which stretch conventionally trained teachers is also…

This study explored classroom provisions to enhance creative thinking in one Australian elementary school. The study and a literature review suggest that creative thinking is not being promoted in most schools. Although teachers' attitudes are slowly developing in favor of creative thinking, creatively talented children are still at risk of not…

Describes the DISCOVER assessment process, a method designed to identify gifted learners by documenting students' problem-solving abilities in several of Gardner's multiple intelligences, including spatial, mathematical, linguistic, intrapersonal, bodily kinesthetic, and interpersonal. Examples of problems presented to students in grades six…

Three case studies illustrate problems in the identification of gifted students when tests are not used appropriately. The paper concludes that testing must occur within the context of intensive observations of and discussions with the child and family. The importance of all teachers receiving training in gifted education is stressed. (DB)