The requirements for gifted education programs in the visual and performing arts are discussed, stressing the need for comprehensive assessment of aptitude, achievement, and attitudes of gifted students. The unique nature of learning activities and inservice programs for teachers in the arts are considered. (CM)

The author suggests some approaches for facilitating the imagination and imagery activity essential to creative production in the visual and performing arts. Literature is reviewed on creative imagination imagery, the function of imagery, perception imagery and art, abilities and the visual performing arts, and facilitating the use of imagery.…

This article by the mother of a creatively gifted student uses the card game Fluxx to illustrate the constantly changing boundaries and priorities present in her home. Questions are raised about the ways in which society can create structure while allowing for creativity and difference in gifted students. (CR)

Some of the troublesome issues involved in the concept of genius are considered. An operational definition of genius is proposed; some of the implications for research on high achievement are presented. Supporting evidence is offered to indicate that it is possible to operationalize such an apparently global concept if one restricts its use to the…

This literature review is divided into sections describing studies that answer specific questions about reading and gifted children. Among the issues mentioned are the personality traits and attitudes of gifted children; their sex difference and environmental influences; the effect of early school admission; types of gifted programs; the…

The synectics model is an exciting strategy for development of thinking skills for gifted and creative children. The three-phase strategy teaches about direct analogy, personal analogy, and symbolic analogy. (CB)

An enrichment program based on the Purdue Three-Stage Model (creative thinking abilities, creative problem solving, and independent study and research skills) resulted in no significant differences in self-concept scores for 199 gifted elementary participants compared to control Ss. Participants did, however, show significant differences in…

The importance of arts education for gifted students is discussed, and the terms creative, aesthetic, and artistic are defined. Four suggestions for encouraging artistic talent, including establishing a resource file of master artists and arts institutions, are presented. (CL)

The article, excerpted from an interview with A. Lopez and C. Payne, focuses on research on creativity and giftedness among minority students. Also considered are teaching methods, programs and materials, identification, relationship between native language and creativity, and teacher preparation. (CL)

Imagery as it relates to creative imagination, incubation, and right brain activity, and as a subsystem of the General Systems approach, is discussed in terms of gifted education. Considered are the theories of G. Land (transformation theory), J. Gowan (developmental stage theory), and J. Eccles. (SBH)

This article outlines both specific barriers to teaching and learning creative thinking as well as some possible directions for solutions. Sixteen common barriers such as confusion, powerlessness, and negativity are described along with strategies to dissolve them using such conceptual tools as awareness plans and proactive metathinking.…

Head Start children (n=446), divided into intervention and comparison groups, received programing to enhance thinking skills. Intervention group children identified as gifted also received programing in their talent area. Intervention group children, whether or not identified as gifted, made significant gains over the comparison group in cognitive…