A study of 97 spelling competition finalists in grades 4-8 and their parents found that the students used dictionaries, science-related texts, and word lists to prepare. The students were intrinsically motivated and had a repertoire of spelling strategies which they used singly or in concert to maximize likely spellings of words. (JDD)

This article describes an early childhood self-regulated metacognition program for underachieving gifted students. Teacher and peer modeling of such strategies as think-aloud, behavioral demonstration, and cuing of steps to efficient task accomplishment are outlined, with examples. Benefits of self-regulated learning strategies are reported from…

A program is described in which drama is used as an integral educational tool in conjunction with the study of literature, social studies, and history. The program adapts drama as a forum for presentations, debates on history or present-day events, and the study of biographies of great people. (JDD)

This study of 75 gifted students in grades 6-8 found that the group receiving Creative Problem Solving training with transfer strategies infused had a higher percentage of students applying the strategies to problems out of the context of the training sessions, compared to control group students and students receiving traditional training.…

Data on the development of intelligence and the concept of giftedness are interpreted for use in the classroom and are applied to the development of strategies to optimize learning. The Integrative Education Model is introduced, with its purpose of empowering the learner physically, emotionally, cognitively, and intuitively. The teacher's role is…

The verbal exchanges between mothers and their 30 children, aged 3-4, were observed during semistructured play. Results showed that mothers of gifted children were more likely than mothers of normal-ability children to model metacognitive strategies in 3 areas: predicting consequences, activity monitoring, and reality testing. (JDD)

Gifted and nongifted students (n=96) in grades five-six were assigned to a free-study or one of three mnemonic conditions for learning mineral hardness levels. Both ability groups learned more in mnemonic conditions, and gifted students demonstrated an ability superior to nongifted students in employing mnemonic strategies independently in…

The University of Tulsa (Oklahoma) School for Gifted Children is a full school program for able learners ages 3-12. The school is the only one in the nation to use a curriculum based on Enaction Theory which postulates that thinking is a matter of running a simulation in one's head and involves three steps: (1) creating a mental model, (2)…

Understanding learning strategies used by gifted students can help teachers improve effectiveness in all learners. Six traits common among the gifted and modifiable in students with learning difficulties include (1) superior concentration skills; (2) field independence; (3) reflection; (4) internal locus of control; (5) active learning; and (6)…

Gifted students in grades 6-8 were divided into two experimental groups, one receiving traditional creative problem-solving training and the other receiving creative problem-solving with transfer strategies infused; there was also a control group receiving training in various memory tasks, analogical skills, and logic exercises. After the…

This digest is derived from Susan Baum's "Being Gifted and Learning Disabled...From Definition to Practical Intervention." The learning disabled gifted are grouped into three categories: identified gifted students who have subtle learning disabilities, unidentified students whose gifts and disabilities may be masked by average…

The AIM High Program was developed for elementary school children in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District who demonstrate unusually high ability, interest, and motivation in language arts, mathematics, science, and art. Students are identified for the program through standardized test scores, teacher recommendation, student interest,…

The importance of instructing gifted students in correlational reasoning is emphasized, with attention to what the skill involves and why it is difficult to learn; effective teaching strategies; and successful programs in whole-class, cooperative-learning, and computer formats. Implications in programming for gifted students are discussed. (SW)

This guide offers guidance for mentoring programs and relationships serving gifted and/or talented students from multicultural and/or disadvantaged environments. After an introductory chapter which defines the mentor concept, Chapter 2 considers the mentoring relationship, racial/cultural differences, characteristics of economically disadvantaged…

This teaching guide for second language instruction in North Carolina public schools outlines a competency-based program and provides specific guidelines for both modern languages and Latin. The introductory section provides an overview of the competency-based educational program, which includes information on philosophy and rationale, thinking…