Are there affective benefits for gifted students being with intellectual peers?
Yes. “GTs in such classes unanimously agree that their gifted class is the one place they can really be themselves. They don’t have to worry about using certain words for fear people will accuse them of showing off. They don’t have to concern themselves with whether or not people understand what they were saying because it sounds “too sophisticated or philosophical.” You can brainstorm without being judged a weirdo. Some GTs went so far as to say that their gifted class was the most important time of the week. They felt accepted.” – Jim Delisle, The Gifted Kids Survival Guide, 1983 “For gifted and talented youth, grouping also confirms the legitimacy of their personal identity.” – Dr. John F. Feldhusen, “Synthesis of Research on Gifted Youth,” 1989 “Working with peers on an extended, daily basis is a tremendous plus for these students. Discussing sophisticated mathematical concepts and not feeling weird or strange about that discussion does wonders for developing positive self-concepts
