Characteristics of Gifted Students

 

Advanced understanding and use of language
The student has the ability to use more complex language effectively.  He/she naturally uses similes, metaphors and analogies to express relationships.  If English is the second language the student might be picking up English quickly, interpreting for friends/family, and using/understanding metaphors.

Critical, Creative and Analytical Thinking
The student likes to look for relationships and patterns.  He/she can see parts to a whole.  He/she is playful with ideas and enjoys experimentation.  He/she finds ways to extend ideas.  The student may not be “organized”, yet enjoys organizing and planning events or procedures.

Curiosity about ideas, events, and how things work
The student shows curiosity and an inner drive for thorough understanding.  He/she can ask penetrating, intellectual questions.  He/she can have an extensive memory about people, conversations, and information.  The student questions things related to fairness issues.

Perspective
The student displays an ability to understand and incorporate unusual points of view through oral language, storytelling, manipulatives, or art.

Sense of Humor
The student demonstrates understanding of higher levels of humor.  He/she has an application of a finely tuned sense of humor; creates original jokes, puns or riddles; tells stories; humor often reflects imitations of people and events; mimics accurately.

Sensitivity
The student demonstrates a strong sense of fairness.  He/she sets high standards for self and others.  Sensitive to the needs of others.

Accelerated Learning
The student demonstrates mastery and an ability to learn and understand material and concepts beyond the typical expected for that age group.  When shown how to do things that the student considers meaningful, he/she learns quickly.

 

Compiled by Sue Feigal-Hitch    Date:  9/2006

Resources:       Portfolios; Enriching and Assessing All Students Identifying the Gifted Grades K-6,
                        by Dr. Bertie Kingore
                        Removing the Mask: Giftedness in Poverty, by Dr. Paul Slocumb & Dr. Ruby Payne
                        Reaching New Horizons, by Jaime A. Castellano & Eva I. Dίaz