The findings under this third theme indicate that the teachers in the academically selective school recognised the specific
characteristics and needs of their academically talented students. For example, they recognised the high level of achievement of their students meant they often could solve problems quickly and their need for extension, they recognised problems some students had with group work, and they recognised their tendency to be good at memorising and absorbing information but not necessarily at application of that knowledge. The findings also indicate that the teachers were able to describe how they had accommodated these specific characteristics with strategies that enabled them to participate in the important aspects of the Thinking Science programme such as metacognition and social construction. For example, teachers described improved questioning techniques, specific classroom management strategies, ensuring that all students have the opportunity and are encouraged to contribute and making sure they are accountable for their answers. These findings have been summarised in
Assertion 3.