Once in a while, teachers will have a student who regularly finishes a class assignment early, then waits, bored and disengaged, while their peers catch up. It becomes clear that they’re craving a challenge, but many teachers lack the tools to re-engage these children while also paying attention to the rest of the class. Texas State University’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education – Teaching and Transforming Advanced and Gifted Education online program equips educators with research-backed practices and teaching methods that enable them to transform gifted learning.
Without thoughtful accommodations, gifted learners often spend their days stuck in repetition rather than exploration. Educators who know how to support these students can turn fast finishers into future innovators.
Types of Accommodations That Support Gifted Students
Gifted students benefit from different work, not more work. Content must align with their intellectual readiness, interests and learning profiles. Accommodations tailored to this population can include compacting the curriculum, offering independent study projects or providing access to advanced coursework. Here are four impactful accommodations educators can implement:
- Project-based Learning: This approach encourages deep exploration of complex topics across multiple subjects. It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving while keeping students engaged through meaningful, real-world applications. For example, a single project might blend science, social studies and research, offering a rich, interdisciplinary experience.
- Independent Study Projects: When students pursue topics of personal interest, motivation and depth of learning increase. According to the Gifted Student Resource Kit, great ways to engage gifted students include allowing them to complete an independent project and display their findings around the school (such as a gym poster or presentation), or having them research a topic independently at the library or on a classroom computer.
- Tiered Assignments: Students work on the same concept at varied complexity levels. For example, while all students might be working on a science project, the tasks for gifted students could involve more complex experiments or in-depth research.
- Accelerated Pacing: In addition to allowing a gifted child to skip grades or start school at an earlier age, teachers can offer accelerated instruction in the classroom. This can be done through cutting out repetitive exercises, for example.
How to Implement Differentiated Instruction
There are myriad ways teachers can creatively offer differentiated instruction. For example, instead of assigning the same book report to everyone, an educator might offer multiple reading levels and let each student choose how to present their analysis — perhaps through podcasts, visual essays or Socratic seminars. In science, gifted learners could test real-world hypotheses rather than follow standard lab procedures. In math, instead of assigning more problems, teachers could provide open-ended challenges requiring abstract thinking.
“Whichever of these differentiation strategies for gifted students you use, by doing so, you’ll be helping to meet gifted learners’ needs,” notes education writer Ellen Ullman in HMH. “Communicate your goals and plans for differentiation to your students and their families and caregivers.” By doing so, educators can make sure that everyone is on the same page, and students will feel less self-conscious about completing different tasks than their peers.
Coursework in Texas State University’s master’s program prepares educators to design these kinds of learning environments. The Creative Teaching, Learning and Leading in Advanced/Gifted Education course explores ways teachers can scaffold challenging content while encouraging autonomy.
The Do’s and Don‘ts of Gifted Student Teaching
Supporting gifted students requires intention — and avoiding common missteps. Classful emphasizes that teachers should not assume gifted means self-sufficient. These students may still struggle with focus, social development or perfectionism.
Another common misstep is using gifted students as classroom assistants. While it may seem like a good solution to keep them challenged, it can cause social isolation or resentment from peers. Avoid assigning extra work as a reward for completing tasks quickly. Instead, offer more complex, creative tasks. Build trust, give feedback that challenges thinking and check in regularly — not just when problems arise.
When educators are equipped with knowledge and support, gifted learners don’t just meet expectations — they exceed them. Programs like the Master of Education in Elementary Education – Teaching and Transforming Advanced and Gifted Education at Texas State University prepare educators to promote that growth with insight and care.
Learn more about Texas State University‘s online M.Ed. in Elementary Education – Teaching and Transforming Advanced and Gifted Education program.
