The "G" Word

We are revisiting earlier conversations on what it means to be academically gifted and why students come to SAGE. I believe if we can help the students to understand and clearly explain what SAGE is all about, they can begin to gain a more accurate understanding of "giftedness." Our discussion included:

*SAGE is not a club or honor society.

*Students come to SAGE to exercise their brain.

*Being in SAGE means you are "better at" math, reading and/or problem solving, not "better than" your classmates.

*Students come to SAGE to break bad habits, (like rushing or not reading directions carefully.)

*Students come to SAGE to learn to find answers to their own questions without having to depend on an adult.

*Students come to SAGE to learn to be more independent in their work.

*There are many gifted students that do not attend SAGE. They may be musically, artistically or athletically gifted and their gifted teacher is their music teacher, art teacher or coach.

The word "gifted" brings about strong feelings and responses from people. It can certainly be said that the many of those responses are neither positive nor supportive. I find that to be sad, as the majority of those same people have no problem touting achievements of talented young artists, musicians and athletes. Actually, the press in one major US city featured gifted athletes 30 times more often than gifted scholars. What message does that send to our students?

I'll step off my soap box and leave you with a quote from a 14 year gifted young woman:

“Have you watched adults squirm, and listened to their responses when you ask them if they’re gifted? What does this say about how they define giftedness, and what messages does this send to people, especially kids, about giftedness being OK?”

Educator advocate and author James Delisle says, "Even though most parents see giftedness as a positive attribute, they are often reluctant to talk openly about the term and its implications with their children. Fearing their gifted children will become “elitist” or “big-headed” if the term is discussed, parents downplay the term and advise their gifted children to do the same, “so that other kids don’t feel bad.”

By not discussing giftedness, or by telling your gifted child to avoid mention of it around others, you are sending a confusing, mixed message—be proud of your abilities, but don’t let anyone know that you have them."


Some thoughts to ponder...