Pondering bright versus gifted this morning ......

Often times people have questions about gifted and talented children, especially in the early grades.  It is such a pleasure to see students who are highly engaged in school but there are two types of learners that one needs to consider.

Bright Child or Gifted Learner?

By: Janice Szabos; Gifted Quarterly

Children who are considered gifted have an exceptional ability as defined by Standard (t)
from DPI.  The bright child has excellent educational strengths which can be supported and enhanced within the classroom environment.  Additionally, with current
innovative teaching practices and a facilitator who extends curriculum to
meet learner needs, some of our gifted learners' needs can be met within the classroom
environment.  The information following can help when discussing with parents and teachers the difference between bright and gifted children.

Bright Child	Gifted Learner
Knows the answers	Asks the questions
Is interested	Is highly curious
Is attentive	Is mentally and physically involved
Has good ideas	Has wild, silly ideas
Works hard	Plays around, yet tests well
Answers the questions	Discusses in detail, elaborates
Top group	Beyond the group
Listens with interest	Shows strong feelings and opinions
Learns with ease	Already knows
6-8 repetitions for mastery	1-2 repetitions for mastery
Understands ideas	Constructs abstractions
Enjoys peers	Prefers adults
Grasps the meaning	Draws inferences
Completes assignments	Initiates projects
Is receptive	Is intense
Copies accurately	Creates new designs
Enjoys school	Enjoys learning
Absorbs information	Manipulates information
Technician	Inventor
Good memorizer	Good guesser
Prefers straightforward tasks	Thrives on complexity
Is alert	Is keenly observant
is pleased with own learning	Is highly self-critical