Gifted Course:

GIFTED STRATEGIES 6-12

Kathy Attilio

CONSULTANT: Kathy Attilio

Kathleen Attilio is a dedicated educator, facilitator, instructional coach, and training/curriculum specialist with 28 years of educational experience with PreK-12 students and adult learners. She has a desire to make a positive impact on education through effective and engaging educational practices to support diverse learners. She has over 20 years of experience with mathematics, gifted, and special education instruction, and 8 years of direct leadership experience managing gifted programming. Kathleen is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and has a strong background in blended, personalized, and online instruction. Kathleen is married to her high school sweetheart, Mario, with three adult children, Andrew, Jake, and Emily. Kathleen and Mario, both board game enthusiasts, live in Flagstaff, Arizona, and enjoy all things outdoors.

Class Description:

  • This four-day workshop is designed to help teachers gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the different types of gifted and talented learners in the classroom.

  • This will be a hands-on, active workshop that integrates simulation, collaboration, reflection, and application throughout the learning process applicable to all students.

  • Participants will explore multiple ways to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of not only the gifted and talented learner but all learners.

  • Skills and strategies learned will help close the learning gap created by the pandemic for all students.

  • Participants will understand the specific and unique needs/types of the gifted and talented students, strategies for working with this student, along with developing aligned and differentiated instruction, and assessments for the gifted and talented student.

Course may be used toward the gifted endorsement.

Objectives/Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify the unique characteristics of gifted students

  • Identify the characteristics of giftedness that tend to screen children out of programs

  • Understand the myths that exist about gifted learners

  • Identify and name the different ways that a student can be gifted

  • Understand the social-emotional needs of gifted students

  • Identify teaching strategies for gifted learners

  • Identify and apply questioning strategies for gifted learners

  • Determine ways to differentiate instruction and assessment

  • Develop plans for implementing instructional strategies and differentiation

  • Identify strategies to foster and challenge creativity

  • Describe the elements of a Socratic Seminar

  • Identify ways to incorporate 21st century skills - critical, collaboration, * creativity, communication into your curriculum

  • Create ways to add depth, rigor, challenge and complexity in curriculum