Gifted Education:  A Focus on Differentiation in the Elementary Classroom

This page is dedicated to educators and parents who wish to learn more about gifted education in the regular elementary classroom.  

What is Giftedness? Giftedness is a biologically rooted concept that serves as a  label for a high level of intelligence and indicates an advanced and accelerated development of functions within the brain.  This development can express itself in various ways, including the following:  high levels of cognitive, affective, physical, intuitive, or a combination of abilities, such as academic aptitude, insight, and innovation, creative behavior, leadership, personal and interpersonal skill, visual and performing arts, or any combination thereof.  (Clark, 2002)

Who are among those considered gifted individuals?  Gifted individuals are those who have high levels of intelligence and are operating above grade level.  These students need accelerated instruction in order to meet their needs.

What are the five categories of giftedness? specific academic aptitude, general intellectual ability, creativity, leadership, and visual/performing arts 

What is the state regulation on gifted education?  The regulation on gifted education may be found at the following link:          http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/704/003/285.htm

What is differentiation?  Differentiation is providing gifted students with different tasks and activities than their age peers--tasks that lead to real learning for them.  (Winebrenner, 2001)

What are the five elements of differentiation?

• Content - ideas, concepts, information, and facts made available to students.  (What the students are going to learn!) 

• Process - the way new material is presented, activities in which the students are engaged, the questions they are asked, teaching methods, and thinking skills developed by the students.  (How the students will learn the new information!)

• Product - how students demonstrate and extend what they understand and can do as a result of a span of learning.  (What the student produces from the lesson or unit!)

• Environment - modifications in the setting in which learning occurs.  (How the classroom setting or grouping is modified to allow for maximized learning!)

• Assessment - the method used to document mastery of curriculum.  (How the student is evaluated!)