Without adequate resources and equitable support, gifted students can feel invisible in school.
Over the past year, we piloted a monthly
Lunch and Learn with freshman gifted students, addressing various topics, including self-advocacy, communication, introspection, challenge, and more. This panel of students will share their thoughts on their learning needs, passions, classroom successes, and classroom difficulties. Through pre-planned questions, as well as Q&A time, students will discuss the importance of student voice in decisions about gifted education, share their dreams for their high school experiences, and express what they wish their teachers knew. The students will give feedback on various educational strategies and personalized learning opportunities.
This interactive panel will provide attendees with the opportunity to engage with student experiences and brainstorm ideas to implement in their communities. Attendees will gain knowledge about current high school students’ experiences, as well as engage in dialogue about the needs of gifted learners. They will have the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and action plans to bring back to their home communities, as well as discuss the best way to effect change for their students.
NAGC Standards AddressedStandard 1: Learning and Development1.1. Self-Understanding. Students with gifts and talents demonstrate self-knowledge with respect to their interests, strengths, identities, and needs in socio-emotional development and in intellectual, academic, creative, leadership, and artistic domains.
1.5. Awareness of Needs. Students’ families and communities understand similarities and differences with respect to the development and characteristics of advanced and typical learners and support students with gifts and talents’ needs.
Standard 2: Assessment
2.5. Evaluation of Programming. Students identified with gifts and talents demonstrate important learning progress as a result of programming and services.
Standard 3: Curriculum and Instruction
3.1. Curriculum Planning. Students with gifts and talents demonstrate growth commensurate with aptitude during the school year.
3.4. Instructional Strategies. Students with gifts and talents become independent investigators.