Gifted Males

Presentation Overview
Introduction: Jennie Dang, Hannah Hoy, Amanda Luper
Presentation Goals- highlighting key points
Quiz: use Plickers
Skit introduction of gifted males information
StoryWhy serve gifted males? What obstacles do they face?
Closing-video
Facts about Gifted Males
Obstacles for Gifted boys:
o Males are underperforming when compared to females. (Dec.
2008 MEGT)
o Society pressures and stereotypes of masculinity can cause
boys to hide their giftedness to conform to the ideal of the
rugged, athletic male. (Dec. 2008 MEGT)
o Gifted males concerned with image management issues may
become academic under achievers if their adolescent culture
does not value academic success.
o Male underachievement results in more boys being identified for
special education, fewer boys of color being identified for gifted
programs, and boys negative attitudes toward school.
o Boys are 30% more likely than girls to drop out of high school.
Characteristics of gifted boys:
o Not always the most motivated, divergent thinkers,
disorganization, highly developed sense of humor, high academic
marks , get frustrated with multiple choice, often receive
negative feedback,
o can become behavior problems, hyperactivity causes them to
receive labels and/or special education services
How to support them:
o Focus on interests, challenge them, create an activity centered
environment, give opportunities to explore problems, use
learning contracts & choice boards, cluster with others like them
when possible, make sure feedback is positive
o give role models
o Provide for a greater amount of physical activity in lessons and
create opportunities for gifted boys to move periodically
throughout the day.
How to manage instruction:

Gifted Males
o flexible grouping, collaborate with colleagues (especially gifted
teacher), that not all children have to do the same activity all of
the time
How to assess:
o Give opportunities to create products that show mastery
What parents need to know:
o Family support is critical to the achievement of gifted boys,
although excessive support can be damaging. (2006, Olenchak)
o Parents need to address concerns directly and expose children to
a variety of activities but not expect master or long term
commitment (2006, Olenchak)
o Research on parent child relationships has focused more on the
mother and less on the father and his role and influence of his
parental style, attitude and behavior.
o Paternal warmth is a strong predictor of successful functioning
for children, possibly even more than maternal warmth. (2003,
Veneziano )
o Most studies of fathers in two-parent households indicated that
paternal involvement was related to positive child outcomes such
as school success, lower instances of behavioral or emotional
problems, and positive social behaviors. (2000, Marsiglio, Amato,
Day, and Lamb)
o When considering fatherhood for African American and Latino
men, we must take into account the historical background,
institutional racism, and the marginal status of men of color.
Historically African American and Latino men have experienced
fewer opportunities to achieve socioeconomic success. As a
result, culturally diverse men in this country must mentor their
sons into a society tainted with prejudice.(2015, Hammond,
Hbert,& Pagnani)
***Remember when communicating with colleagues and parents: We need to
change our terminology from giftedness to special education services.
Refrain from labeling as gifted or non-gifted. (From Reflections on the
Education of Gifted and Talented Students in the Twentieth Century:
Milestones in the Development of Talent and Gifts in Young People by Sally
Reis)
The video represents a group of people, united, showing how proud they are
to be young, gifted and black. Our goal is that the video will leave you

Gifted Males
motivated to reach all learners (socially, emotionally and academically)
regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
References/Resources
www.glogster.edu.com presentation tool
www.plickers.com assessment tool
http://youtu.be/9MEB7Xu_joE Young Gifted and Black at Edna Brewer Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnoHaPgPMXA Gifted Boys Video

-Being a Gifted Boy What We have Learned August 8, 2006, Richard

Olenchak
-Responding the needs of the Gifted Boys December 2008 MEGT
- Reflections on the Education of Gifted and Talented Students in the
Twentieth Century: Milestones in the Development of Talent and Gifts in
Young People by Sally Reis
--An Examination of Paternal Influence on High-Achieving Gifted Males
March 25, 2015 Hammond, D.R., Hbert, T.P., & Pagnani, A.R. Journal for the
Education of the Gifted.
-Managing His Image: The Challenge Facing the Gifted Male sengifted.org