This presentation was given at Heidelberg University as a part of the Educational Summit in March 2016.

1. 3 PERSPECTIVES THAT
FAIL GIFTED STUDENTS
And What You Can Do About It
Lisa DaVia Rubenstein, Ph.D.
Ball State University
Heidelberg University Education Summit
March 24, 2016

2. PRESENTATION:

4. 3 POSSIBLE FAILS
Everyone is gifted.
Gifted students will be successful on their own.
“A” gifted program is sufficient.

5. EVERYONE IS GIFTED.
v. Everyone has gifts.
#1

6. NO ONE IS GIFTED?

7. The Three Little Bears
Picture
adapted
from A Bear
Story

8. WHO IS GIFTED?

9. WHO IS GIFTED?
WHO IS A HEIDELBERG
STUDENT?

10. WHO IS GIFTED?
WHO IS A HEIDELBERG
STUDENT?
Male (52%), Non-Diverse (74%), Lives on Campus
(84%), Participates in Extracurriculars (92%)

11. Gifted Characteristic Lists...

12. WHO IS GIFTED?
Cognitive Characteristics: Learns at a faster pace and
processes at a deeper level
Affective Characteristics: May demonstrate
asynchronous development, underachievement,
empathy/social justice/sensitivities, and
perfectionism

13. EVERYONE IS GIFTED.
Recognize when students have needs that are not
being met. (e.g., pre-assess, examine assessment
scores, observe)
Recognize a variety of degrees and domains of
giftedness.
Construct learning opportunities specific for those
needs. (not more...next...)
v. Everyone has gifts.
#1
What you can do:

15. Graph Me
Reading Math Board Games Sewing Running Building Dancing
Everyone has gifts.

16. 78th
How do you know?

17. Tier 1
1. What is the 5th letter?
2. What is the 10th letter?
3. What is the 15th letter?
4. What pattern do you see?
Tier 2
Consider the name Dustin. Would
the 19th letter be a D? Explain.
Tier 3
Use the name “Sarah”.

18. YET...DIFFERENTIATION
IS CHALLENGING

20. Spoiler
Alert

22. ?
Need Ideas? 101 questions or Dan Meyer Blog

23. Quick Strategy: Be less helpful.
✤ Think about all the scaffolding you provide.
✤ Take that scaffolding away.
✤ Provide it if they need it.

24. Hint Cards

25. Challenge Cards

26. HOW WAS ____ DISCOVERED/
DEVELOPED?
CAN WE REPLICATE IN THE
CLASSROOM?

28. Same “Question” Method
Write as many
questions as possible
that can be answered
using this picture.
24

29. Design a story to accompany
this graph.
Would another story work?
What is common among
stories?

30. WHAT CAN BE
DEBATED?

31. Was this a good idea?

32. GIFTED STUDENTS WILL BE
SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR OWN.
Potential for dropping out
Lack of failure opportunities
Lack of self-actualization
Excellence Gap (next...)
#2
Without a challenging education:

33. TALENT ON THE SIDELINES
Research Report

37. CONCLUSIONS?
America emphasizes minimum achievement gaps,
not excellence achievement gaps.
Some students are making more progress than others.

38. GIFTED STUDENTS WILL BE
SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR OWN.
Consider students’ cultural backgrounds and SES.
Again, recognize gifted students. Provide
opportunities for growth.
Provide support systems, including opportunities to
work with intellectual peers and access to counselors.
Advocate for special services. Would acceleration be
appropriate?
#2
What you can do:

39. ALL STUDENTS DESERVE
TO LEARN SOMETHING
NEW EVERYDAY.

40. “A” GIFTED PROGRAM IS
SUFFICIENT.
#3

41. “A” GIFTED CHILD?

42. BECAUSE THERE IS NOT
“A” GIFTED CHILD...
THERE SHOULD NOT BE
“A” GIFTED PROGRAM

43. THERAPEUTIC DOSE
(Gallagher)

44. “A” GIFTED PROGRAM
IS SUFFICIENT.
Carefully match a student’s needs (degree and
domain) with the appropriate service.
Ensure the program provides a therapeutic dosage
(effective).
Provide a continuum of services. Dedicate sufficient
resources. (next...)
#3
What you can do:

45. From Provo, Utah

46. 3 POSSIBLE FAILS
Everyone is gifted.
Gifted students will be successful on their own.
“A” gifted program is sufficient.

47. I N T E R E S T E D I N F U T U R E S T U D I E S ?
Join us at Ball State!
Questions?
lmrubenstein@bsu.edu