I Got 99 Problems...

The Audience:

Rationale: Solution-based

• Provides a general intro to G/T learners
• Focuses on solutions to problems that were brought up in our class, and what I hear from other teachers
• Practical application: what can I do today!?

Intro to G/T Overview:

• Identification areas
• Characteristics of G/T Learners
• Myths about G/T Learners

"If you want things done, you need to be able to find solutions."
-Margrethe Vestager

But Leanne, I don't have much time in the school day/year to do new things!

Teacher Led Solutions

G/T Collaborative Resource Team

• Use time during PD days to meet as a resource team
• Serve as a resource for the building; an idea factory

G/T Focus in TBT

• We usually identify a problem of practice
• Interpret data for G/T students
• Trade instructional strategies, offer support, encouragement, etc.

G/T Student Advisory Committee

• Identified students who can meet during lunch or a club day
• Discuss issues and ideas; be a support system
• Opportunity for ownership and leadership

G/T Student advisory

• Incentive: internship hours or lunch!
• Present ideas to admin or Board of Ed

Practical Application in the Classroom

Lesson Planning

• We usually begin with the lesson for gen ed students, then move to special ed.
• Use your planning for special ed as an indicator that you need to now plan for G/T
• Work it into your template; make it a habit

Go Deeper Instead of Wider!

• We do not always have to just move G/T learners into the next unit/subject/lesson when they are "finished"

How to Go deeper:

• Critique or apply the idea to a variety of situations (past or present)
• Assume the role of historian, philosopher, mathmetician, writer, etc.

Foster Ownership

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• Take your gen ed rubric and add higher level requirements
• Turn concepts, lessons, and units into student-led experiences
• Simulations, PBL, Problem-based Projects, hands-on
• Put the work in now, and then adjust in the future

Conclusion

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• Embrace teacher-led initiatives!
• Remember that going deeper is always an option to going wider!
• Take a step to change one thing in your approach to G/T learners today!