Myth or Truth (Elementary & Secondary)

Myth or Truth

After reading about the signs of Gifted Students and ways to support GT students, take this quiz and test your knowledge.

QUESTION 1 of 10

Gifted students are a homogeneous group, all high achievers.

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Myth

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QUESTION 2 of 10

Gifted students are often perfectionistic and idealistic. They may equate achievement and grades with self-esteem and self-worth, which can lead to fear or failure and interfere with achievement.

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QUESTION 3 of 10

Gifted students may experience heightened sensitivity to their own expectations and those of others, resulting in guilt over achievements or grades perceived to be low.

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QUESTION 4 of 10

Gifted students do not need help. They can manage on their own.

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QUESTION 5 of 10

Gifted students have fewer problems than others because of their intelligence and abilities somehow exempt them from the hassles of daily life.

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QUESTION 6 of 10

The future of a gifted student is assured; a world of opportunities lies before the student.

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QUESTION 7 of 10

Gifted students are asynchronous. Their chronological age, social, physical, emotional, and intellectual development may all be at different levels.

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QUESTION 8 of 10

Gifted children are problem solvers. They benefit from working on open-ended, interdisciplinary problems.

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QUESTION 9 of 10

All gifted students are self-directed; they have a plan

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QUESTION 10 of 10

The social and emotional development of the gifted students is at the same level as his or her intellectual development.

Myth

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Myth

More Myths and Truths

Myth or Truth

Truth

Myth

• Some gifted children are "mappers" (sequential learners), while others are "leapers" (spatial leaners) Leapers may not know how they got a "right answer." Mappers may get lost in the steps leading to the answer.
• Gifted students may be so far ahead of their chronological age mates that they know more than half the curriculum before the school year begins. Their boredom can result in low achievement and grades.
• Gifted students often think abstractly and with such complexity that they may need help with concrete study- and test taking skills.
• Gifted students who do well in school may define success as getting an "A" and failure as any grade less than a "A." By early adolescence they may be unwilling to try anything new if they are not sure of success.

• Gifted students are nerds and social isolates.
• The primary value of the gifted student lies in his or her brain power.
• The gifted student's family always prizes the student's abilities.
• Gifted students need to serve as examples to others and they should always assume extra responsibility.
• Gifted students make everyone else smarter.
• Gifted students can accomplish anything they put their minds to. All they have to do is apply themselves.
• Gifted students are naturally creative and do not need encouragement.
• Gifted children are easy to raise and a welcome addition to any classroom.

Adapted from Berger, S. College planning for gifted students. 2nd edition. Information Center on Disabilities and Gifted Education, Council for Exceptional Children.