Today, more than ever, student diversity typifies the general education classroom. In most classrooms, the range of cognitive abilities is vast. Inclusion and legislative mandates challenge general educators to design and implement teaching and behavior management strategies that will ensure success for all student groups--including the gifted and highly able. Research indicates, however, that a majority of teachers have little specific knowledge about this group of children. Lacking awareness of the characteristics and instructional requirements of high ability students, teachers are at a disadvantage. This article explores the characteristics of gifted children and offers the general classroom teacher tips and ideas for understanding the gifted children they teach. (Contains 3 tables.)