What Gifted Kids Would Say...

I often wonder what gifted kids would say if they were allowed to freely speak their minds to teachers.

After working with gifted students for six years~ I have spent time with them in the classroom~ at lunch~ playing games at recess~ and met with their parents. During that time~ I have realized many of them shared similar challenges and issues~ which teachers were not aware.

I have often had to bite my tongue when listening to homeroom teachers~ specials teachers~ and other adults complain about those gifted children. That is why I am a huge proponent of all teachers being required to complete a basic gifted education course~ such as a Nature and Needs course. I believe this would eliminate potential problems since teachers would be armed with knowledge and gain a new perspective that would help them understand the needs of the gifted.

In the meantime~ Id like to imagine what some of my gifted students-past and present-would say if they had a free forum with their teachers and had the communication skills to clearly articulate their thoughts on the subject.

It might sound something like this:

I want you to know that I am not gifted at everything. Its not reasonable to assume that I am going to be highly advanced at reading~ math~ science~ writing~ and other subjects in school. While you might know a child that is great at everything~ that is not me. I am good at a particular subject or perform higher in this area~ but I often struggle in other areas. So please dont say things like Youre gifted. Why isnt your writing better? Youre gifted. How come you have a C in math. This only creates stress and undue pressure for me and convinces me that you really dont understand my giftedness and learning strengths.

Maybe it would sound like this:

In many ways~ I am like the other kids. I have bad days~ where I dont perform well. I have moods and feelings~ and sometimes experience them with more intensity. I have personal problems at home. I argue with my brothers and sisters and dont always listen to my parents. Sometimes I am unmotivated. I get bored. I like video games~ too. I may have a high IQ~ but I am still a kid and experience everything that goes along with that.

It might also sound like this:

Please understand that I am not anti-social. Its just~ at times~ I cant seem to relate to the other kids. I am not interested in what they are talking about. Sometimes when I talk about something I enjoy~ they dont understand it or easily dismiss it. In fact~ I enjoy talking with adults. They seem to get me. I also like to hang out with other gifted kids~ not because I think Im better~ but because we have similar interests and can hold conversations.

It would also sound like this:

Please dont call me weird because I act differently or think differently. I cant help who I am. Just because I read a book while walking down the hallway~ or dont always make eye contact~ or like to dress like Harry Potter when I get home~ please dont judge me. Im not weird but rather unique. Why should I be like everyone else? Thats boring. Also~ please dont single me out in class by saying gifted kids~ report to the back of the room. That only makes me feel like an outcast~ and the other kids then resent me.

And finally~ it might sound like this:

Dont make me repeat all the lessons I already know~ just because the other students need to learn it. Give me a chance to show what I know. Dont excuse me from lessons but give me an opportunity to show you I dont need to learn this. If I show you I know it~ can I work on a project or learn the next chapter? I like to be engaged and challenged~ and I want to learn new things every day. Oh yeah~ please make sure its a worthwhile lesson~ not just tutoring the student next to me or running to make copies for you. I dont mind helping~ but I deserve to be challenged like the other kids in class.

While this is obviously a made-up conversation~ based on my experience with gifted children~ I am sure some of these concerns-as well as others-would come up. Please take these viewpoints~ concerns~ and requests~ and remember them whenever you have a gifted child in your classroom. Try to see the classroom from their point of view. If you do~ you will build a great rapport with these students because they will feel like you get them~ and you will inspire these students to develop their gifts and abilities to the fullest.

Thank you~
Steve