🪛🛠️5 Tools to Expand Gifted Talent Search (or Child Find)
- Michelle Robinson
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
As a fellow gifted educator, I know how challenging it can be to identify all the exceptional learners in our schools. That's why I've rounded up five fantastic tools to help you cast a wider net and catch those hidden gems. Let's dive in!
First up, the Digital Classroom Screener for Gifted Characteristics. This nifty digital tool helps you collect data from multiple teachers, stored in one file, for any grade-level you choose to include. It is based on the TNDOE's Classroom Screener but in digital format. It eliminates the copies, distribution, and in-person follow-up that is often difficult to schedule. Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/174NS-wCLoRnPDYr1MHHfgbXrYP0Ny7Pj/copy
Next on the list is a Child Find process checklist. This editable document can be modified to fit your specific district's process. This guide ensures you don't miss a single step in the identification process. It's like a roadmap for your gifted talent search journey! Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12XhaltZw4u7aoWu-hOzTNCp_Awh78r9rVJ0vpXn4CEs/copy Tip for using this tool: First make a copy of your template and rename with the year and grade-level name. The duplicate the tabs within the workbook, creating one for each teacher responding. Also, if you prepopulate the rosters on each page, your gen teachers will appreciate it!
For our Tennessee teachers (and anyone else who wants to borrow from the Volunteer State), we've got the TN Teacher Observation Checklist. This individualized tool helps you zoom in on each student's unique gifted traits. In TN we use this after consent has been obtained because it is an individual assessment. This version is SO much easier than making copies, distributing, calculating by hand, and again, having to follow-up with the teachers who forget. Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eCBvdaMgcgPYbu6r2Ls4Y014nWZEmPqYgjpTl-W91Ic/copy Tip for using this tool: First make a copy of your template and rename with the student's name. The duplicate the tabs within the workbook, creating one for each teacher responding.
4. Renzulli Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students
Now, let's talk about the Renzulli Scales. These bad boys have been around since the 70s, but they're still rockin' it in the gifted education world. They cover a wide range of characteristics, from leadership to artistic abilities. It's like a Swiss Army knife for gifted identification! You can learn more about these on the UConn website. https://gifted.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/961/2023/06/Scale-for-Rating-the-Behavioral-Characteristics-of-Superior-Students.pdf
5. Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking
Last but not least, we have the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. These tests are perfect for spotting those out-of-the-box thinkers who might slip through traditional academic assessments. It's like finding the hidden artists, inventors, and innovators in your classroom! This tool is not free, and if you plan to score them yourself you must become certified. However, they have an option to send the tests in for scoring. Like the individualized creative checklist above, in TN this would only be administered after consent unless administered to an entire grade-level or school, and the assessment is included on the district assessment calendar/list. Here is more information for this assessment: https://www.ststesting.com/gift/
Remember, these tools are just the beginning. The real magic happens when you combine them with your expertise and intuition as a gifted educator. And if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this (trust me, I've been there!), don't forget that support is just a click away. My coaching services at Gifted Ed Solutions are designed to help you navigate the sometimes choppy waters of gifted education. You can book a free initial strategy session today! Click HERE
So, what are you waiting for? Grab these tools and start expanding your gifted talent search today! Your future students (and their grateful parents) will thank you. Happy hunting, gifted ed superstars! 🌟
Other free tools online:
NAGC's Gifted Programming Checklist isn't a tool to use during child find necessarily, but will give you great guidance on what your talent search process should include. www.nagc.org
Hoagie's Gifted Ed Page - always a treasure trove of gifted ed information
Comentários