Supporting the very able child

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Able children make up 10 to 15 percent of the school population, but many mainstream schools are not meeting the specific needs of these talented children. Low teacher expectation, a lack of expertise on the part of educators and ineffective management of provision are all contributing factors. The result is that "gifted" children often become bored with the education they’re offered. This leads to underachievement by the children and, in some cases, to displays of disruptive behavior.

The course aims to support school staff in reaching definitions of what is meant by "gifted", "talented" and "able". It will enable you to consider ways of identifying such students. You’ll also have the opportunity to consider effective strategies that can be used with them. You’ll be asked to examine the broader issues relating to these students

As you work through the course, you will:

  • consider your own and other definitions of gifted, talented and able students
  • reflect on these definitions
  • study various ways by which these students can be identified
  • look at approaches to improve school provision for very able students
  • research, discuss and trial classroom strategies for supporting them
  • analyze some of the wider issues about very able students

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