WHAT IS ENRICHMENT/ DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENRICHMENT

Enrichment can be defined as:
-a higher quality of work than the norm for the age group
-work covered in depth
-a broadening of the learning experience
-promoting a higher level of thinking, and “high order” objectives
-the inclusion of additional subject areas/activities-the sue of supplementary materials beyond the normal range of resources.
-development of certain qualities’ of mind (ex. Problem solving, discovery, higher order thinking, etc)
Enrichment is used to enhance students abilities, therefore it is important to keep students motivated, and interested without overwhelming them.
It is a form of differentiation. Different forms of enrichment can (but not limited to) involve such ideas as:
-grouping for specific subjects, talents, or projects
-staying with a theme, subject or skill and developing it in depth
-rounding out the basic curriculum subjects with a wider context
-independent activities-self guided, research or alternate activities
-relating learning new areas
-providing pupils with experiences outside the regular curriculum
-field trips
-out of school activities (ex. Saturday programs)
Gifted students may benefit from such a program when their needs are just not being met in the basic curriculum. A student is at risk of loosing interest, acting out in class or even abandoning school if they are bored and not getting anything out of the education environment presented to them. On the other end, students may feel a great amount of pressure to measure up to the standards being set for him/her. It is important when developing an enrichment program for gifted students that a balance is met in order to achieve success without a sense of failure.

QUESTIONS:
How do educators go about creating a balanced, effective program for these students?
How individualized must a program be in order to achieve maximum success?
Which type of enrichment programs will work best?
What type of environment will allow gifted students to reach their full potential?