https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm en-us 2019-03-16 02:10:58 UTC 2025-10-24 23:38:41 UTC hello@padlet.com edgiles https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm/wish/341963285 I am a true introvert in every way! I was always the quiet one in the back of the room soaking in all of the information, but never willing to share. As I was watching Susan Cain's TED Talk "The Power of Introverts", I was pleased that there are others that have the same beliefs I do about constant small groups in the classroom. I have several students who have qualities of an introvert and I feel for them when they are thrown into group settings day after day. When possible, I give the students the ability to work alone or in groups. If a student wants to work alone, I ask them to join others at my table. It is a "quiet" work zone. I feel that this way they are able to work alone and not feel singled out because they do not want to work in a group setting on that day. When, or if, they are ready, they are able to leave the table and join a group. 

I have been teaching for several years. At the beginning of the year, I try to identify the students who are truly shy and those who have qualities of an introvert. Susan Cain points out that people around her called her mellow and were worried because she wanted to be by herself and read. Extroverts do not always understand that an introvert is not being shy or rude, but they need quiet time to "recharge".]]> 2019-03-16 02:14:12 UTC https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm/wish/341963285 edgiles https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm/wish/341964354 Chad is a gifted with introverted tendencies. What you see as a student slow to answer, Chad is in need of extra time. In Introversion: The Often Forgotten Faction Impacting the Gifted by Jill D Burruss and Lisa Laenzig, they mention that "The introvert's main focus is within his/her head..." This means that Chad needs to be given time to process and evaluate what he is going to say. As teachers, we sometimes what a short quick answer in order to move on since time is precious during a lesson. 
When Chad started to compare characters from 2 different novels, he was using his higher level thinking skills in order to make a point. Chad should not be stifled while doing this. He is not only answering the question at a higher level, other students could benefit by listening to the way he processes and synthesizes information. 
Another way to assist Chad is to give him some quiet, non-group time to work on his assignments. Overstimulating an introvert could possibly make them shut down and be unable to produce material needed for the lesson. After he has quiet time, he can join a group in order to share what his thoughts are about the assignment. ]]> 2019-03-16 02:30:52 UTC https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm/wish/341964354 edgiles https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm/wish/342150149 After going through this course, I learned a lot about myself as a learner and was able to identify some of my students as introverts and extroverts. 
By being more aware of their personality styles, it will help when I am putting groups together. There might be an assignment when both styles benefit from being grouped together. There also will be assignments where students may need individual process time and then the opportunity to come together to share ideas. 

I will also be more patient with students who seem to be going off topic when answering a question. I will give a longer wait time to see if they are going to be able to bring it all together by the end of their answer. 

I will be more aware of my "shy" students and give them different ways of answering instead of the typical question/answer style group discussion. 
They can be somebody's "wing man" and give them ideas for the other person to say aloud. I will incorporate more exit ticket style answers so they have time to process and explain their answers. 

I feel that in my classroom I already have a good balance of quiet and independent learning time along with time for the students to share and move around the classroom. Knowing the different learning styles and personalities of your students is key to having a successful classroom. 

The topic of gifted introverted students in the classroom is like a burrito because you have so many varieties of students and personalities. It almost seems impossible that it will work. But when it all comes together, the layers seem to seamlessly meld together into one delicious dish! ]]> 2019-03-17 18:13:03 UTC https://padlet.com/edgiles/z7b4dca71bkm/wish/342150149