I truly believe that GT involves so much beyond traditional classroom. Thinking skills are key to that child being ready to use all of the "STUFF" they know so naturally. I really spent the first part of my curriculum with the fourth graders learning to accept different answers and realizing it was okay to be wrong occasionally. (In actuality, I was probably rebelling against my own educational upbringing where the occasional teacher would point out that "DUCKY" missed something.) I wanted my students to understand that bright didn't mean perfect and that there could be workable solutions besides their own.
((applause))
Sorry to hear about the early days, I had the same treatment! I think it's great that you spend time on meta-cognition! I also had that thing were when I finally had to work to succede at school, I thought that I had stopped being smart! It took me years to overcome my 'laziness.'
Smiles,
Grinity
