Description

Are you curious about those bright sparks in your classroom who always seem to be one step ahead, ask the most insightful questions, or dive super deep into topics? Get ready to explore the world of elementary gifted education, specifically designed with our K-5 classrooms in mind. This session provides elementary educators with foundational knowledge and practical strategies to effectively identify, understand, and support the diverse academic and social-emotional needs of highly able/gifted learners in their classrooms.

We’ll start by clearing up common misunderstandings about giftedness you might hear in the staff room or from parents. Next, we’ll dive into the aha! moments, exploring the characteristics you might see in your 1st grader who’s already reading chapter books, your 3rd grader with a passion for complex math puzzles, or your 5th grader who creates incredibly intricate stories. We’ll unpack their academic and social-emotional needs, because navigating friendships and managing big emotions can be just as challenging for these bright minds as it is for any child!

Finally, we’ll get practical and explore some easy-to-implement classroom approaches, all while keeping your advanced learners engaged and challenged. We’ll chat about inclusive ways to spot these talents in all our students, ensuring every child has the chance to shine.

As a result of participating in this institute, attendees can expect to:

• Debunk common myths and misconceptions about giftedness with evidence-based reasoning
• Identify the unique academic, affective, and social-emotional characteristics of gifted learners in grades 1-5
• Explore a range of practical classroom strategies to differentiate and enrich learning experiences for gifted students

Target Audience: Grades K-5 Elementary Classroom Teachers, Gifted or Learning Support Education Coordinators, Curriculum Coaches

All sessions will take place online from 12:00 – 13:00 GMT

Part 1: 21 Oct. 2025
Part 2: 28 Oct. 2025
Part 3: 04 Nov. 2025