Types of Giftedness

Here is one way of looking at the different types of Giftedness: High Achievement, Gifted Learning, and Gifted Thinking. These three profile are not meant to be exclusive and in fact will often overlap. Considering how an individual connects to these traits may help us gain insight into how to best meet that individual's needs.

A High Achiever

Remembers the answers.

Is interested.

Is attentive.

Generates advanced ideas.

Works hard to achieve.

Answers questions in detail.

Performs at the top of the group.

Responds with interest and original opinions.

Learns with ease.

Needs 6 to 8 repetitions to master.

Comprehends at a high level.

Enjoys the company of age peers.

Understands complex, abstract humor.

Grasps the meaning.

Completes assignments on time.

Is receptive.

Is accurate and complete.

Enjoys school often.

Absorbs information.

Is a technician with expertise in a field.

Memorizes well.

Is highly alert and observant.

Is pleased with own learning.

Gets A's.

Is able.

 

A Gifted Learner

Poses unforeseen questions.

Is curious.

Is selectively mentally engaged.

Generates complex, abstract ideas.

Knows without working hard.

Ponders with depth and perspective.

Is beyond the group.

Exhibits feelings and opinions from multiple perspectives.

Already knows.

Needs 1 to 3 repetitions to master.

Comprehends complex ideas.

Prefers the company of intellectual peers.

Creates complex, abstract humor.

Infers and connects concepts.

Initiates projects and extensions of assignments.

Is intense.

Is original and continually developing.

Enjoys self-directed learning.

Manipulates information.

Is and expert who abstracts beyond the field.

Guesses and infers well.

Anticipates and relates observations.

Is self-critical.

May not be motivated by grades.

Is intellectual.

A Creative Thinker

Sees  exceptions.

Wonders.

Daydreams; may seem off-task.

Overflows with ideas.

Plays with ideas and concepts.

Injects new possibilities.

Is in own group.

Shares bizarre, sometimes conflicting opinions.

Questions, "What if...?"

Questions the need for mastery.

Overflows with ideas, many of which will never be developed.

Prefers the company of creative peers but often works alone.

Relished wild, off-the-wall humor.

Makes mental leaps: Aha!

Initiates more projects than will ever be completed.

Is independent and unconventional.

Is original and continually developing.

Enjoys creating.

Improvises.

Is an inventor and idea generator.

Creates and brainstorms well.

Is intuitive.

Is never finished with possibilities.

May not be motivated by grades.

Is idiosyncratic.

These materials come from Bertie Kingore.