Exceptionally bright and capable students with learning disabilities, often referred to as being twice exceptional, may fail to meet learning disabilities criteria if a strict psychometric approach is taken. To make an accurate diagnosis, an evaluator must consider their special circumstances, unique abilities, educational histories, and…

A former child "prodigy" recounts her experiences at school to suggest that intellectual achievement is not always due to extraordinary analytic reasoning ability and that precocity may be nonrationl. J. Stanley responds by citing others' work on the topic and suggesting the construct may not survive strong scrutiny. (CL)

Children possessing extremely high levels of mathematical or verbal ability tend, many times more than normal ability children, to be left-handed (2 times), nearsighted (4 times), and suffering from allergies (2 times). Studies at Johns Hopkins University indicate 80 percent of "precocious" 12-13 year olds have at least one of these…

Reports on the results of the "Program for Verbally Gifted Youth" (PVGY) initiated by the Departments of German and Classics at Johns Hopkins University, and particularly on the one-year experience with a beginning German course. Describes the students as eighth graders selected for their high verbal aptitude. (MES)

Johns Hopkins Program for Verbally Gifted Youth (PVGY) is designed for junior high school students and offers courses in writing skills, Latin and Greek in current use, and beginning German. Students are selected in the 12 to 14 age range. (PHR)

Parenting a gifted child may not be what Mom and Dad expected when they read parenting books and first saw that innocent infant face. A gifted child is a joy and a challenge--rarely predictable, sometimes frustrating and annoying, but never boring. This article discusses the characteristics and vulnerabilities of the gifted. The author offers some…

The teaching of Latin to verbally precocious students enhances their vocabulary and linguistic competence in English and prepares them for study of other foreign languages. The ideal curriculum would feature: instruction from fourth through twelfth grade; teachers experienced in teaching Latin and gifted students; and intensive language programs.…

This article describes the development of a Writers' Workshop to meet the needs of six highly verbal gifted middle school students. The class met for one hour a week and encouraged students to talk about writing and writers. Students shared their own writing and engaged in literary criticism. (Contains references.) (CR)

An art program for talented and gifted seventh and eighth grade students is described, focusing on student selection, teaching techniques, funding, and evaluation. Included are a screening test for talented art students and a form to aid students in verbalizing about their art projects. (JDD)