Course Title: The Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students
Instructor: Jason McIntosh
Course Description:
This course will focus on the affective needs of gifted students by exploring research and
material relevant to the social and emotional components of giftedness. Perfectionism,
underachievement, depression and other issues commonly found within the gifted population
will be explored in depth. Specific strategies for helping gifted students with these issues will
be introduced and participants will develop a plan for integrating affective training into their
daily classroom activities.
Course Objectives/Goals:
Students will:
 Understand the social and emotional dimensions of being gifted
 Learn to recognize social and emotional problems in gifted children such as
perfectionism, depression, underachievement, power struggles, etc.
 Investigate strategies and techniques for counseling gifted students as well as how
to create a supportive environment in their classroom
 Be able to explain and use Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development
 Become aware of the different challenges gifted girls face as compared with gifted
boys
 Become knowledgeable about the researchers, theorists and educational leaders
who are actively involved in promoting the affective component of gifted
education.
 Assess and evaluate participant’s current practices and develop a plan for
incorporating affective training into the curriculum for gifted students
Course Outline:
 Keep a time log of time spent on a daily basis. Be in touch with instructor at least
once a week in terms of progress, questions, etc.
 Project Number One: Develop a lesson plan for use with gifted students that
addresses one or more affective issues. Examples: understanding their own
giftedness, dealing with peers, taking risks and making mistakes, etc.
 Project Number Two: Evaluate three case studies of gifted students that show
social or emotional problems. Create a plan of action for dealing with the situation
in a researched based, proven manner.
 Project Number Three: Interview a school counselor or licensed practitioner about
counseling gifted students and how to solicit parent involvement in dealing with
specific issues.
 Project Number Four: Create a checklist for teachers that will help them identify
at-risk gifted students in their classrooms.
Rev. 11/06
Method of Evaluating Student’s Performance:
 Dialogue and participation through email
 Projects and assignments
 Final exam
Textbooks and/or Other Materials:
The Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Kids by Tracy L. Cross, Ph.D. (2005
edition- ISBN #1-59363-157-X)
Bibliography:
 Hennenfent, Mary ( 2006) Learning to be a Durable Person. McGee-Keiser
 Kerr, Barbara (2001) Smart Boys. Great Potential Press
 Kerr, Barbara (1995) Smart Girls. Gifted Psychology Press
 Nugent, Stephanie ( 2005) Social and Emotional Teaching Strategies. Prufrock
Press
 Peterson, Jean (2008) The Essential Guide to Talking with Gifted Teens. Free
Spirit Publishing
 Schmitz, Connie (1985) Managing the Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted.
Free Spirit Publishing
 Webb, James (1989) Guiding the Gifted Child. Ohio Psychology Publishing Co.
Rev. 11/06