GATE Program Gifted Characteristics

This is a list of characteristics that may help distinguish "Bright Children" from "Gifted  Learners" as stated by Janice Szabos. This is an important distinction when identifying GATE eligible students.  Of course, these are generalizations. 

BRIGHT CHILD

GIFTED LEARNER

Knows the answers Is interested Is attentive Has good ideas Works hard Answers the questions Top group Listens with interest Learns with ease 6-8 repetitions for mastery Understands ideas Enjoys peers Grasps the meaning Completes assignments Is receptive Copies accurately Enjoys school Absorbs information Technician Good memory Is alert Is pleased with own learning Enjoys straightforward, sequential, presentations

Asks the question Is highly curious Is mentally & physically involved Has wild, intriguing ideas May play around yet tests well Discusses in detail; elaborates Beyond the top group Shows strong feelings & opinions Already knows Understands ideas Constructs abstractions Prefers adults Draws inferences Initiates projects May be intense Creates a new design Enjoys learning Manipulates information Inventor Good guesser Is keenly observant Is highly self-critical Thrives on complexity

 

In her book, Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom, Dr. Diane Heacox compiled a list of typical characteristics of gifted learners:

• High levels of retention with an extraordinary amount of information  
• An accelerated pace of learning -Advanced comprehension, deep understanding
• Usually varied interests and curiosity
• An advanced vocabulary
• Flexibility of thinking
• An ability to generate original ideas and solutions
• An ability to think in abstract terms and sense consequences
• Evaluative, judgmental thinking
• Persistent goal-directed behavior