Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses importance of ethnographic skill development for youth. It also discusses the study of ethnographic research starts with the organization of a research notebook, with beginning lessons to practice data gathering. It focuses on students experience ethnographic research processes through applied lessons. Gifted students require curriculum that enables them to operate both cognitively and affectively at complex levels of thought and feeling. Studying ethnography allows students to engage in both of these modes. The early research of Leta Hollirigsworth indicated that gifted children have social and emotional needs meriting attention. Ethnography provides a vehicle for discussing gifted and talented (GT) students' perspectives and the viewpoints of other students, as well as providing opportunities for discussing stereotypes and biases. Some gifted students have atypical social behaviors that would be positively impacted by developing the ability to interpret the behavioral patterns of groups.