Ability
Issues
Gifted students can be targets of bullying and harassment on the basis of their particular traits, aptitudes and behaviour. As independent thinkers who may be studious and express original opinions, gifted students often fall outside established peer groups and networks.
The 'tall poppy syndrome' is a factor. A student's ability to master skills and to succeed in many activities can generate resentment and jealousy.
Teachers can bully gifted students because they feel threatened by students
who know more than they do, and who question and challenge decisions and authority.
Gifted students may also think abstractly and make connections easily, which
can distract the class from the task/topic, which can in turn prove frustrating
for teachers. A gifted student may also be the 'class clown', with an advanced
sense of humour that is difficult to handle.
Communities speak
"If I got an A for a speech they would laugh and
call me a square or say that I paid the teacher – or whatever because
girls were
supposed
to be dumb. If I won heaps of races at sports
day they would say bitchy things
because I could
beat them. But it wasn't just me they would
do it to. It was
everyone, because they
were the 'popular people'. They felt
they were
entitled to ruin
everyone else's
self-esteem."
Challenges
School communities need to:
- help students to learn the difference between good-natured fun and bullying or discrimination against them on the basis of their gifts, and to report more serious behaviour
- assist with the development of skills for building and nurturing friendships with peers, and facilitate networking with other students, teachers and community members who can provide intellectual challenge and be appropriate role models for social interaction
- assist with the development and practice of conflict resolution and assertiveness skills that can be used appropriately with adults as well as with children. These may be particularly important in dealing with frustration and boredom and in negotiating beneficial adjustments to classroom tasks.
Resources
-
Centre for Extended Learning Opportunities (CELO)
http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/educators/
support/extendedlearning
Department of Education Tasmania websiteA useful resource document provided by Tasmania's Department of Education for catering for students who are are highly able / gifted from pre-school to year 12.
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