Teaching gifted students in an inclusive classroom
When a student’s talent or ‘gift’ is identified, it should always be encouraged and developed. Although some students are placed into classrooms with students of similar adeptness, others are kept in inclusive classrooms. It is important, though, to promote the student’s gifts while not neglecting the other students.
Enhance the curriculum
Full-inclusion classrooms allow teachers the freedom to tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of the students on an individual level. Choose activities for gifted students so they are challenged and don’t get bored. A student who isn’t challenged is more likely to be disruptive, after all, and this should be avoided for the sake of a well-managed classroom.
Celebrate the gifts, but don’t pressure them
Children want to fit in. Being singled out makes them a target for other students who might make fun of them or call them names. It is important that the student sees the gift as the positive thing it is, while not making the other students feel less for not being able to do the same. However, be careful not to expect too much of them in areas where they are not so gifted.
Encourage positive interactions with classmates
Encourage your students, ‘gifted’ or otherwise, to play, laugh, and interact with each other. This will decrease the chance of the gifted students being labeled ‘nerds’ and seeing themselves as better than the other students. Every student has their strengths and weaknesses, and it is important that both the teacher and the students respect those individual abilities, no matter the gift, level, or disability.
Help them with contests
Encourage the gifted students to enter contests. This provides a challenge and chance to exercise their abilities that the classroom may not provide.
Don’t play favorites
No matter how tempting it is, don’t be biased towards gifted and talented students. Doing so may result in not providing a challenging school experience for the gifted students or even in unfair treatment of students who are not gifted. This is not doing anyone any favors. Be aware of each individual students’ abilities, but don’t let that affect your treatment of them.
Keep in touch with parents
Parents often worry that their gifted children are not being challenged enough at school. Giving them regular updates would help put these fears at ease. Contact them early in the school year and keep in contact. This is a good practice for all parents, not just the gifted ones, and it allows parents to give well-needed feedback and information that may help with the teaching process.
Teachers are responsible for providing the best possible environment for students to develop. Having a class with a gifted student is a great privilege, and, although it may seem daunting, it is all worth it in the end. Please share your experiences with gifted children in an inclusive classroom with us to make this article better.