Giftedness: Key Concepts

This section sets out four concepts which collectively provide you with a sound framework for identifying, understanding and teaching gifted learners.

Each concept is relevant for all gifted learners, from early childhood through to senior high school.

Each concept has links to highly effective and practical teaching strategies. You can learn about these through both our two online courses and through our two teachers' manuals, They're Not Bringing My Brain Out and Differentiation Made Practical.

Concept 1: What does it mean to be gifted?
The essential first question for all work in this field, leading to a definition especially written for Aotearoa New Zealand. Click here to read.

Concept 2: A model of needs for gifted learners
Being gifted creates different learning and developmental needs. What are they? Click here to read.

Concept 3: Using conceptual planning
Thinking the way gifted learners think: teachers can do it too! A refreshing new approach. Click here to read.

Concept 4: Creating the classroom programme: a model
Bringing Concepts 2 and 3 together to create an easy-to-use practical structure providing for all learners while helping you build challenging high-interest work for your gifted learners. Click here to read.

• Cathcart, R. They're Not Bringing My Brain Out, 4th edition. 2020. Routledge, UK.
  
• Cathcart, R. Differentiation Made Practical. 2010. Essential Resources, Invercargill.
  
• Both available through Learning Network, Auckland, www.learningnetwork.ac.nz