Check out this 8 minute video done by high school students at a Baltimore magnet school. Much more powerful than reading about the myths. In short:
Myth 1: Gifted students don’t need help, they’ll do just fine on their own.
Truth 1: They need guidance and the support of great teachers.
Myth 2: Teachers know how to challenge every student.
Truth 2: Teachers do not necessarily have training in how to challenge gifted learners.
Myth 3: We need to keep gifted kids in the classroom so that others have a role model.
Truth 3: All kids need to be with peers who can challenge them.
Myth 4: All children are gifted.
Truth 4: All children have relative strengths and weaknesses but not all children are gifted.
Myth 5: Acceleration is socially harmful to gifted students.
Truth 5: It makes students happy to learn with others who are at a similar level.
Myth 6: Gifted programs are elitist.
Truth 6: Gifted programs are not about status. They are about people finding the right place.
We can’t make assumptions that some educational needs are more important than others.
Myth 7: She gets poor grades—she CAN”T be gifted!
Truth 7: This can be a vicious cycle—afraid to fail; afraid to stand out—so she doesn’t try.
Myth 8: He needs special instruction because he can’t read. He can’t be gifted!
Truth 8: Students can be “Twice Exceptional”—gifted in one area, but struggling in another.
Myth 9: High School gifted programs consist of AP Courses and Youth Options.
Truth 9: AP and Youth Options are for all students who work hard. Gifted students need to be
allowed to do independent studies and work with a mentor to explore areas of intense interest.
Myth 10: Gifted programs require abundant resources that schools can not afford
Truth 10: If you believe in the multiple abilities of students, you approach teaching in multiple
ways at multiple levels.
From the video:
Begin by believing in us
We don’t ask for more than our share. Only that which meets our needs
Begin by believing in us. Just begin.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GTAMoCo
Produced by Baltimore County Public Schools
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