How do you handle a child who seems
gifted, but is a discipline problem? Are there any materials apart from books
that you find are especially effective for slow learners or bright students?
I have found that at times gifted students are discipline
problems because they are bored with the lesson. Gifted students can comprehend
the material much more quickly than the other students and therefore find new
ways to entertain themselves, by pulling out their cell phones or talking to
other students. Unfortunately, this causes them to become a distraction to
their classmates. I have found that one important thing to do with gifted
students that are discipline problems is to not allow their behavior to affect
the way they are assessed. It is tempting to let behavioral issues sway one’s
grading, but it is essential to keep these two issues apart, as the student is
still completing the standards and performing well in the course. The
preventative measure for this issue is difficult, but very helpful. When one is
able to find ways to make the lesson dynamic for students of all levels, it
prevents both behavioral issues and comprehension issues. A lesson that allows
gifted students to either move ahead or work on a more complex version of the
lesson keeps that student both engaged an challenges. However, this can be difficult,
as the needs of the weaker students must also be met. This issue is a constant
challenge that teachers face.
In my senior class, Expository Reading and Writing, I have
found that video of speeches are an especially successful learning material.
While students in this class hate books, and will tolerate articles, they
thoroughly enjoy speeches. Since this class looks to teach the students about
rhetorical strategies and nonfiction, a speech of any kind is relevant and
useful material. In a world where television and technology dominant student
interest, showing videos when possible can help keep students engaged, but also
learning about an important form of the content.
