High-ability toolkit: where to start

Teachers and leaders who are new to the high-ability toolkit are recommended to start with the following sections. 

Section 1: Defining high-ability

This section introduces teachers to the definition of 'high-ability' across the four domains (intellectual, physical, creative, and social). 

Section 2: Characteristics of high-ability

In this section, teachers are introduced to the learning and social-emotional characteristics associated with high-ability students across the four domains. 

Section 3: Identifying high-ability

This section provides guidance and tools to assist teachers to identify high-ability students in their classrooms. Teachers can also refer to the different high-ability student profiles. 

Section 4: Tackling underachievement

This section explores the different types of underachievement and provides strategies to support high-ability students who are underachieving. 

Section 5: Supporting the social-emotional needs of high-ability students

This section explores some of the common social-emotional challenges experienced by high-ability students. Evidence-based strategies are provided to help teachers address these challenges in the classroom. 

Section 6: Differentiation

These sections provide several strategies for differentiation in the classroom:

Exemplar lesson plans provide practical examples of differentiation in literacy, mathematics and other areas.

Section 7: Student Excellence Program

This section gives an outline of key initiatives available to support and extend high-ability students.