Emphasis of pace, complexity, depth of thinking, supporting thinking
Emphasis on self-advocacy, initiative, independence
Differentiation of curriculum (content, process, product:
compacting, acceleration, expectation of persistence, metacognition (thinking about your thinking), the 3 higher levels of thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation)
choices in ways to present knowledge and learning
different styles of learning; strengths
encouragement to move beyond “safe” zone
Learn and apply creative thinking skills, critical thinking based on Universal Intellectual Standards, expectations of quality (Quality Work Standards)
Research on Curriculum for the Gifted:
- Content Modifications:
- Of the three forms of enrichment (Kaplan), “concept development” (in-depth exploration of a concept) is the most effective, followed by “extension” (going broader and deeper with the regular curriculum), followed by “exposure” curriculum (introduction) to new ideas and interest areas.) No matter which form is implemented, however, it must be programmatic (an integral part of the school curriculum and day), not provisional (an add-on). (Tannenbaum)
- Direct training in creative thinking skills results in significant divergent production effects.
Universal Intellectual Standards
Clarity
Could you elaborate further? Could you illustrate what you
mean? Could you give me an example?
Accuracy
How could we check on that? How could we find out if that
is true? How could we verify or test that?
Precision
Could you be more specific? Could you give me more details?
Could you be more exact?
Relevance
How does that relate to the problem? How does that bear on
the question? How does that help us with the issue?
Depth
What factors make this a difficult problem? What are some
of the complexities of this question? What are some of the
difficulties we need to deal with?
Breadth
Could you elaborate further? Could you illustrate what you
mean? Could you give me an example?
Logic
Does all of this make sense together? Does your first
paragraph fit in with your last? Does what you say follow
from the evidence?
Significance
Is this the most important problem to consider? Is this the
central idea to focus on? Which of these facts are most
important?