Haiku – Strength is Weakness, too
Asynchronous Development A common phenomenon that I experience with my gifted learners is that their intellectual development is not at the same pace as their physical development (a form of asynchronous development). Thinking floods their heads, their mouths can’t form the words in time, and their hands certainly cannot keep up with their heads trying to write what is coming out. Organizing all of these abilities is not easy and requires help. It is our job
IMHO – Slow Motion Practice
A consistent issue that I find with a significant portion of my Gifted and 2e learners is that many of them love to rush through their math problems. I have experienced this mad rush enough to determine that the challenge is to change the rhythm of engagement to include time to review constraints, options, and possibilities. It is a part of developing metacognition skills. It is an understandable situation that develops. In early studies of
IMHO – What is this “Gifted Underachievers”?
Move beyond the label of gifted underachievers. Life is fulfilling when we are good people who treat the world with love and kindness, are able to pursue our joys and passions, and are able to care for ourselves and those that we love. From this point of view, our paths will unfold naturally and healthfully. Barry Gelston, M.Ed.Mr. Gelston’s One Room Schoolhouse Intense focus on achievement is unhealthy Gifted Underachievement is a term that has
IMHO – Gifted Learners, who are we?
Gifted learners have unique needs that challenge the systems where they are meant to thrive. Their uniqueness leaves gifted families with the conundrum of how to navigate a giant maze of well intentioned support and suggestions which are fraught with dead ends and cryptic clues without a clear end in sight. False choices For many frustrated families of gifted children, they make the decision to leave the system and homeschool. In a recent survey taken
IMHO – When working harder doesn’t work
When working with a new student, my priority is to begin to drain the learning environment of intensity. My method is to find initial places of relaxation and fortunately most learners respond to my type of joyful learning environment.
IMHO – Leading with Love and Kindness
I often speak about the approach of Leading with Love and Kindness within the contexts of being the President of a non-profit and as a teacher. I know that it can sound a little much. People may ask, is this guy in some weird cult? So, I want to explain what I mean. Let’s start with explaining that this phrase is my goal and aspiration that I am trying to practice and get better at every
