Classroom Strategies for the Support of Gifted and Talent

Giftedkids.ie Webinar Series

Classroom

StrategiesPresented by Peter Lydon

October 7th 2010

Supported by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland,

C.T.Y.I. & N.C.T.E.

Classroom Strategies for Teaching Gifted

and Talented Children

Peter Lydon

Wesley College, Dublin&

www.icepe.eu

Background

• BA, MA, DipEd.

• 3 years teaching in Ballymun

• 17 years in Wesley College

• 16 years in CTYI, DCU

– 6-12 year olds

– Mostly 12-16 years olds

Copyright Peter Lydon @ 2010

Role of the Classroom Teacher

• To manage the learning environment (classroom etc)

• To teach

– Instruct? Educate?

• To ensure students are working

– Check homework - Correct exams

• To assess

• BUT…………………

• No matter what happens, to cover the course

– Says who?

• NCCA; Inspectorate; Principal; Board of Management;

• Parents

What if…………..?

• What if you could construct the type of education system youwanted……………

• …………what would that look like…………..?

• In teaching G&T children……….

• ………it would meets their need to self actualise AND

• ………the children would still get the college points needed.

• Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to reconcile these two.

• We want happy and successful children, but if we had to chose between happy and successful, which would be pick?

Teachers before and After

• Before– The fear of being caught out, of being challenged, of getting it

wrong– Sense of inadequacy - that there are children in the classroom that

are ‘smarter’ or know more than the teacher.

• After– The joy of being caught out, of being challenged, of getting it

wrong• Teachers are human!

– Being OK with having highly able children and realising one’s potential as a source of true education for the child.

– Important to realise that a teacher maybe the only person a child has with whom to journey along their cognitive development path.

Teachers

• The effective teaching of G&T children is not very different from effective teaching generally.

• Good teaching is good teaching irrespective of the student.

• Provide Positive relationships

• Teachers have to be in the same boat as the student

– Need to avoid a ‘them and us attitude’.• A teacher who can not learn and has nothing to learn can teach no one

• Teachers need to be prepared to model the behaviour they wish to see in students

• Flexible in use of time

• Focus on creative process

• Modify classroom environment

Teachers

• Instructional outcomes are enhanced when– Classrooms are managed effectively– Their is a sense of positivity in the school environment

• School culture actively promotes learning and encourages achievement

– There is appropriate instructional match– Goals are clear, expectations are explicitly communicated, lessons

are clearly presented– Student receive good instructional support– Sufficient time is allocated to instruction– Opportunity to respond is high– Teachers actively monitor student progress and understanding– Student performance is evaluated appropriately and frequently

• (Christenson, Ysseldyke and Thurlow)

Gifted and Talented Children

• Need to move through the curriculum faster and in more depth

• Are more able to retain information the faster it is delivered

• Find abstract and complex content more academically rewarding

• Engage in a ‘searching’ behaviour to find answers, develop understanding

– Often aimed at generating abstract rules for application later

• are just like other children only more so!

What do G&T children say about school

• Too much repetition

• Too slow

• Not enough new material

– Not enough material.

• Not enough time for questions

• Being ‘rewarded’ with extra work

• Opinion not valued

• Teacher not knowing enough about the topic

• Limited resources

• Don’t like mixed ability

The Basics

• Establish a consistent discipline

– Control entry to class

– Has a ‘start of class’ routine

• Books, copies, homework journal,

• decide how to take in homework

– Start of class, end of class on way out…

– Keep a late-to-class book

– Keep a register of attendance for each class

– Have a seating plan

• Consider this carefully

– Useful to have a small activity for students to do while waiting for class to begin

The Basics – Part II

– Lesson plans need to be written down

• Some leeway in this

• In some form

– Formal plan, a classwork worksheet,

• Need to be able to communicate plan to students at the start of class

– Minimum, communicate objectives

– Should have a beginning, middle and end

• Need not be ‘teacher talks, children work, teacher reviews’

• Think of advertising!

– As far as practical, write homework on board at start of class

– After that

• Motivation and methodologies

Rules ‘n’ stuff

• Discipline rules should be a given– Make sure students know what these are and that they are

consistent

• Attitudes expressed in class– Class mutual support for winners (however defined)– Success attitude– Learning is valued– There is no such thing as a ‘swat’ etc– No jeering or passing remarks likely to intimidate or ridicule

• Zero tolerance• Teacher

– Be willing to recognise effort even for incomplete work– Be willing to listen to the student

Ian Gilbert

• Little Book of Thunks

• Essential Motivation in the Classroom

– WIIFM?

• What’s in it for me?

• For the Gifted child, often very little

Motivation in the Classroom

• Match learning to the childs ability

• Make learning relevant

• Make learning fun

• Assign appropriately challenging work

• Promote self-directed learning

• Teach to the students enjoyment

• Vary methods (but not necessarily in the same lesson!)

• Don’t be afraid to be quirky in approach

– Don’t miss a chance for creativity

Some Issues

• Textbooks

– Many teacher teach to the textbook, from the textbook

• Individual Work

– isolated learning

• Classes often chalk and (teacher) talk

• Thinking is devalued

– G&T children cannot find their voice

• Closed questions

– Little opportunity for Divergent thinking

• Early finishers ‘rewarded’ with extra work

• No one likes a _____________( insert whichever applies – swat, clown, smart alec, know all)

Making a difference.....

• Encourage independent thinking

• Encourage abstract and complex thought

• be accepting – of debate, discussion, questions

• Facilitate discussion

• Use open ended projects

• Groups activities

Making a bigger difference

• Be a facilitator of learning

• The Equalizer

• Bloom’s Taxonomy

• The Jigsaw Classroom

• Project based Activity

• Differentiation

• Developing Research Skills

• De Bono

• Encouraging Independent Learning

• Assessment for Learning

• Role of Digression

• insert

• Tomlinson

Blooms Taxonomyof educational objectives

• Knowledge

• Comprehension

• Application

• Ananlysis

• Synthesis

• Evaluation

1. Knowledge: The recall of information.

define name order

describe recite recognize

label recall record

list relate reproduce

match repeat state

arrange underline

2. Comprehension: The translation, interpretation or extrapolation of knowledge.

arrange explain interpret

classify express locate

describe identify report

discuss indicate restate

sort translate extrapolate

arrange explain interpret

3. Application: The application of knowledge to a new situation.

apply practice solve

choose prepare use

illustrate schedule demonstrate

operate sketch measure

apply practice solve

choose prepare use

4. Analysis: To break down knowledge into parts and show relationships among the parts.

analyze diagram question

appraise discriminate test

calculate distinguish differentiate

categorize examine compare

contrast experiment inventory

criticize

5. Synthesis: Bringing together parts (elements, components) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for new situations.

arrange design prepare

assemble formulate propose

collect manage set up

compose organize synthesize

create plan write

construct modify conduct

6. Evaluation: Judgments about the value of material and methods for given purposes.

appraise estimate select

argue evaluate support

assess judge value

attack predict score

compare rate defend

appraise estimate select

Techniques

• Use divergent questioning to encourage higher order thinking skills

• Give students time to think about questions asked

• Pause for thought

• Think-pair-share

• Who wants to be a millionaire

• Probe - follow up answer to clarify understanding or develop ideas

• For higher order questioning - don’t reply with ‘that’s correct’.

– Try a ‘hmmm’ or a ‘um’ instead

• Be a Devil’s Advocate

• Take each thinking skills in order

– No point trying to evaluate without the basic knowledge

The Jigsaw Classroom

• Each student has one piece of the jigsaw of information that comprises the whole.

• Each student must teach his/her group their material.

• Only by listening and contributing can each student get the whole picture

– Each childs contribution is valued and vaulable

• Great reaction from students

• Team work

• Responsibility

• Understanding

• Independent learning

• Rising to a challenge

Variations in use

• You’ve inherited a bog-

– What can you do with it?

• Oil has been discovered off the west coast. It will generate €15 billion in revenue each year.

– How will you spend this money?

• A factory owners wants to build a factory in_______________.

• Teams representing

– Company; local politicians; environmentalist; local residents;

– Local unemployed; local businesses

– Decide and explain whether you are for or against the factory

Project Based Learning

• Teachers role is to be a facilitiator of learning

– Better participation

– More motivation

– Engages students in the learning process

– Encourages students to be creative and productive

– Not just doing what you want them to do

– Facilitates the students on learning awareness

• Set performance target

– Collaborative learning opportunities

– Increases pride in work

– Helps improve learning planning

Differentiation

• An approach to teaching in which the teacher provides learning opportunities tailored to meet the educational needs of individual students.

• Individual IEPs???

• In reality

– Bottom

– Middle

– Top

• groups

Key principles for Differentiation

• Learning Experiences are based on diagnosis of student readiness, interest and/or learning profile,

• Content, Activities and Products are developed in response to varying needs of varied learners,

• Teaching and Learning are focused on key concepts, understandings and skills, • All students participate in "respectful" and engaging work, • Teacher and students work together to ensure continual engagement and

challenge for each learner, • The teacher coordinates use of time, space and activities, • Flexible grouping ensures consistently fluid working arrangements, including whole

class learning, pairs, triads and quads, student-selected groups, teacher-selected groups, and random groups,

• Time use is flexible in response to student needs, • A variety of management strategies (such as learning centers, interest centers,

compacting, contract, independent study, collegial partnerships, tiered assignments, learning buddies, etc.) is used to help target instruction to student needs.

• Clearly established individual and group criteria provide guidance toward success,

• Students are assessed in a variety of ways appropriate to demonstrate their own thought and growth.

• http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/epsy373/Tomlinson.htm

Differentiation Strategies

• Anchor activities that students can complete on their own

• Separate assignment instructions

• Class expert

• Class teacher for a day

• Upwardly mobile

Upwardly Mobile

• Must - all students expected to achieve this minimum

• Should - most pupils should be able to do this

• Could - only a few students will get to this level

• Outline activities from the top down and encourage students to aim high

• Use different methodologies/activities for each level

– Students must be able to demonstrate their learning

• Lesson planning

Upwardly Mobile

• Requires independent learning

• Students can see where they are going!

• Prevents students wondering what to do when finished

Quick on the draw

• Quiz type activity

• 10 questions for each of 6 teams

• say ‘go’ member runs,

– get question, runs back,

• writes answer, brings it for correction,

– gets another question

• First to get 10 correct wins

Beat the Teacher

• Ask a question

• If correct waward one point - need 5 for a permanent point

Other approaches to lessons

• Make a model, prepare visual aids, write a passage

• Do some research

• Here are the answers, work out the questions

• Here’s one answer - come up with as many questions as possible

• Here a caption, draw a cartoon

• Here’s a cartoon, write a story, poem, piece of music, dance

• Instead of ‘write about a volcano you have studied’

– Try ‘Adopt a volcano’

• Report, video, animation………………..

Twice Exceptional Students

• Make sure the basics have been covered

– Giving the answers can be a good idea

• Try to play to the strengths of the TES

– Eg. AS students - maths, music, graphs, charts,

• Have simple, clear cut instructions, not too many

• Repeat if necessary and encourage

• Allow students to use a variety of materials and approaches

• Visual and hands on learning are important

• Allow a different time scale for work to be completed

Independent Study and Learning

• Independent study programme

– Identifying and developing a focus

– Developing skills in creative and critical thinking

– Using problem solving and decision making strategies

– Learning research skills

– Developing project management strategies

– Keeping learning logs

– Evaluating the process and product

– Sharing the product with an external audience

– Keeping a portfolio of results

Developing Research Skills

• Using a library index

• Using correct citations

• Referring to sources in text (foot notes, end notes)

• Using several sources to develop a report

Learning Centres

• Handy differentiation strategy

– Make sure it’s guided

• Useful for enrichment activities

• Learning Through Case Studies

– Case studies with a dilema or problem built in

• Learning through problem solving

• MENTORING

De Bono’s Creative Thinkning Skills

• PMI Plus, Minus, Interesting

• CAF - Consider All Factors

• C&S -Consequence and Sequel

• Bit like CAF only forward thinking

• OPV - Other Peoples Views

• APC - Alternatives, Possibilities, Choices

Assessment for Learning

• Most assessment carried out is assessment of learning (summative assessment). • A test or homework is corrected and students are given a grade.

• For G&T childrens’ work, grades are often pointless.

• That said, it is more important today for children to learn to study independently, to acquire the skills to do so, and as they acquire these skills, to learn how they learn.

• AfL is an assessment method that encourages this. AfL is diagnostic and formative. It helps identify weaknesses in student learning and provides feedback that informs a child about the strengths and weaknesses of their work.

• This is not to say we should throw out summative assessment But we need a balance between the accountability of the exam system and the need of a child to develop their ability to learn

Using AfL

• The use of AfL requires several actions on the part of the teacher

• Learning outcomes needs to be stated at the beginning of a lesson

• They should be phrased in a way that focuses on the learning rather than the doing

• e.g. instead of saying ‘we are going to make a poster’, say ‘we are learning to know what makes a good poster’.

• Learning intentions can be phrased in terms of lesson outcomes

• Instead of saying ‘at the end of the lesson you will have made a poster’, say ‘at the end of the lesson you will be able to identify what makes a good poster’.

• Student should have access to the learning intentions throughout a lesson.

Using AfL

• Students next need to know the success criteria for a lesson. • In teaching, there are several techniques you can use to improve student learning.

• As far as possible and appropriate, use open questions rather than closed questions.

• If a wrong answer is given, don’t rush to correct,• ask ‘are you sure?’ or ‘how can you be sure?’.

• When asking questions, avoid the temptation to chose the student who will give the correct answer. Even if we are honest with ourselves, we can still end up biasing our student selection simply because it makes class function.

• One possibility is to reject ‘hands up’ as a way of choosing a student to answer a question. Using a no-hands policy ensures that all students are more attentive because the may be picked at any moment.

• There is still the chance of a bias in the choice of students so I use lollipop sticks with students names written on them. This ensures the choice is random.

• It is important to give children time to think of an answer. And after they give an answer, take time before you respond.

Other AfL aspects

• When writing comments, try to be encouraging. Give recognition for effort.

• Comments should tell students what they got right and what they have to do to close the gap between their work and the success criteria

• Students should have the opportunity to reflect on their work and their learning.

Collaboration

• Two minds are better than one

• Collaboration allows children to apportion tasks among a group so that each member can contribute according to their strengths

• Discussion produces creativity

– Particularly good in problem solving exercises

Digression

• Two types– Off-subject

• Useful in building relationships but keep to very small doses

– On subject off Topic• Decide where it fits into the topic, otherwise move on quickly

• David and Kathryn Geldard – ‘Counselling Adolescents’, 3rd Ed. 2009– “a very common feature of adolescent conversation is that young people

tend to frequently digress from a topic of interest, talk about something else, and then return to the topic………..we believe that, especially for young people…….this serves a useful purpose. Because young people are continually revising their constructs, they are often trying to grapple with many different thoughts and ideas at the same time………..by digressing they are able to deal with new thoughts without putting them on hold’

– For G&T children with faster thought processes, this may be heightened

Other activities besides chalk and talk

• Brainstorming and Brainwriting• Discussion• Artwork• Music• Journal keeping• Field Trips• Guest speakers• Debates• Video• Demonstrations• Action Research• Interviews• Surveys• Oral presentations• Role Playing• Simulations

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