Talents & Strengths Identification and Development

The following characteristics are not a complete list. Gifted and Talented students may excel in one or many areas.

Intellectual

• Has an advanced vocabulary far beyond a child his/her age.
• Has an excellent memory and performs complex mental tasks.
• Is curious, investigative and observant.
• Learns rapidly and easily.
• Possesses a storehouse of information on a variety of topics.
• Has perseverance and the capacity for self-direction.
• Thinks clearly, reasons well, and uses higher level thinking skills.
• Is an avid reader reading above grade level.
• Shows concern for world problems above that expected of age level.
• Transfers previous learning to new learning situations.
• Is an independent learner.
• Demonstrates a wide variety of interests.
• Has a good sense of humor.
• Has an interest in cause/effect relationships.
• Displays a great curiosity and is anxious to learn new things.
• Asks many questions of a provocative nature.
• Reveals originality in oral and written expression.
• Enjoys solving puzzles and problems.
• Processes new information quickly when compared to peers.
• Does in depth investigations.
• Sees beyond the obvious.
• Thrives on new and complex ideas.
• Manipulates information. 

Creative Thinking

• Tolerates ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Is curious about many things, and has a wide variety of interests.
• Asks many questions.
• Is adventuresome.
• Generates many ideas or solutions to problem solving, prefers to impose own structure on situation, learning.
• Develops creative and original ideas
• Is non-conforming and not afraid to be different.
• Can elaborate upon the ideas of others.
• Is a flexible thinker.
• Sees humor in situations where others don't.
• Likes to fantasize and imagine.
• Demonstrates a high degree of concentration and persistence in creative tasks.
• Makes unusual associations between ideas.
• Effectively uses visual imagery.
• Incorporates creative efforts into academic and recreational activities.
• Has a vivid imagination.
• Has many ideas/projects going on at one time.
• Improvises and sees unique possibilities.
• Risk taker.

Leadership

• Accepts responsibility well.
• Appears to be well liked by classmates.
• Is dependable.
• Is self confident with peers and adults.
• Is cooperative.
• Creates positive feelings in a group.
• Expresses self well, and can articulate group problems.
• Easily adapts to new situations.
• Enjoys socializing with other people.
• Assumes leadership roles in a natural manner.
• Participates in most school social activities.
• Demonstrates character and integrity.
• Is fair and honest.
• Is chosen or elected to leadership position by peers.
• Is emotionally secure and sensitive to the needs of others.
• Sought out by others to provide assistance.
• Can organize and lead groups.
• Tolerant and flexible with peers.
• High expectations for self and others.
• Foresees consequences and complications of decisions.
• Follows through on a plan.

Academic

        Reading

• Early reading skills developed rapidly once begun.
• Chooses to read material well above grade level.
• Demonstrates advanced comprehension of material read.
• Comfortable with advanced vocabulary; infers meaning from context.
• Reads widely and intensely for information and enjoyment.

        Creative/Expository Writing

• Possesses and uses a writing vocabulary well above grade level.
• Organizes writing to be clear and concise.
• Uses descriptive words and phrases to add color, emotion and beauty.
• Uses more complex sentence structure than typical for grade level (but not may always be able to punctuate it).
• Frequently chooses writing to communicate ideas through forms such as journals, poetry, stories, reports, etc.

        Mathematics

• Masters typical content more quickly and at an earlier age than classmates.
• More willing and capable of doing problems abstractly; may prefer not to use concrete aids.
• Often skips steps in problem solving; may solve in unexpected ways.
• Looks for patterns and relationships and attempts to explain them.
• See relationships between new problems and those previously solved; may pose own problems.
• Has exceptional mathematical reasoning ability and memory.
• Enjoys challenge of mathematical puzzles and games.
• Can communicate math information verbally and in written form.

        Social Studies

• Asks questions, probes for understanding of current events.
• Has a wide range of knowledge about an area of social studies such as geography, history, politics, etc.
• Is concerned/worried about problems in the community or world; may seek solutions.
• Has pursued reading or projects in the social sciences on own time.
• Has spent extra time on projects because of avid interest in content.
• Communication skills relating to academic area; can verbalize and communicate social studies known in written formats.

        Science

• Asks provocative, in-depth questions about why things happen or how things work.
• Easily grasps concepts of science; thinks logically, perceives relationship and generalizes appropriately.
• Has a wide range of scientific knowledge for age.
• Has an avid interest in one or more science topics.
• Has pursued science oriented reading or projects on own time.
• Communication skills: can verbalize and communicate science knowledge in written forms.
• Unwilling to accept explanations without proof.

Artistic/Visual Arts

• Exhibits creativity, imagination and expressiveness.
• Responds to environmental observations.
• Superior skill development in drawing, painting, clay, etc.
• Has natural ability beyond age level.
• Possesses well developed visual memory, quicker, more accurate in tasks of cognitive, verbal, visual matching.
• Persistence and perseverance about problem solving and creating.
• Uses leisure time for artistic activities.
• High motivated and interested in art experiences.
• Sense for spatial distribution and organization.
• Shows complexity, detail and embellishment in artwork.
• Can be self-critical and evaluative.

Artistic/Performing Arts

        Music

• Shows a sustained interest in music.
• Eagerly and successfully participates in musical activities.
• Discriminates among and/or responds to variations in rhythm, melody, harmony, tone, pitch and style.
• Has an ability to compose tunes and/or lyrics.
• Has an ability to understand musical symbols and relationships.
• Has a total feeling of joy with music.
• Has ability to use music to express emotions and experiences.
• Can be self-critical and evaluative.

        Dramatics

• Has the ability to shift easily into the role of another character.
• Effectively uses facial expressions and gestures to communicate.
• Is adept at role playing, improvising, and acting out situations.
• Creates original plays or makes up plays from stories.
• Can imitate and mimic the actions of others.
• Is able to incorporate directors' suggestions into performance.
• Contributes worthwhile suggestions to improve acting or characterization.
• Has the ability to recognize effective timing and anticipate audience response.

        Dance

• Shows originality.
• Expresses emotions, attitudes, ideas and experience for self and/or in performances.
• Has muscular coordination and reflexes attuned to rhythmic response.
• Is sensitive to rhythm, melody, tone, harmony, pitch or style of music.
• Has the ability to choreograph his/her dances.