Engaging young, talented students in the classroom
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 12:41 PM

Teachers develop the minds of children every day by creating an engaging learning environment in the classroom and meeting each child's educational needs. For the most part, students' abilities can be gauged through exams and interviews. However, once in a while, educators face the excitement and challenge of teaching a gifted child who has scored very high on I.Q. tests and shows mastery over subject material beyond their grade level. When this occurs, teachers tend to spend more time with struggling students and leave their advanced pupils to learn on their own. This can lead to a slippery slope, as gifted students might become bored or frustrated from the lack of mental stimulation. By keeping advanced-level students engaged and challenged, teachers nurture a natural inquisitiveness that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Challenges to engaging gifted students
According to Andy Smarick, author of "Closing America's High Achievement Gap," gifted children do not receive enough attention in today's public school system. 

"We're in an extended period where gifted kids are an afterthought at best," Smarick says in his book. "These students are at risk for dropping out of school if they are not challenged enough."

A 2008 survey conducted by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute asked instructors who was more likely to receive one-on-one face time - struggling students or gifted ones. More than 80 percent of respondents said struggling students would receive more attention. According to Nancy Green, executive director of the National Association for Gifted Children, ignoring gifted children does a disservice to not only the students, but also the country.

"Having our brightest kids languish in a classroom is leaving talent on the table, when there are so many complex issues our country is facing that these kids can help us solve," Green told Education News. 

Preparing advanced children for success
So what can school administrators and educators do to help advanced students maintain a high level of academic achievement? First, school districts should identify gifted children and have well-funded programs that advanced students can use as a resource. In addition to school districts' administrations recognizing the abilities of these children, educators should also encourage students with open-ended questions designed to stimulate out-of-the-box thinking and problem solving. Instead of routinely handing out stacks of worksheets, teachers can offer advanced students the option to move through curricula at a much quicker pace, allowing them to focus on other material that interests them during their free time. By giving gifted children a chance to shine, teachers are allowing their students to mature into their potential.