What to do with a very intelligent, but quiet student?

Question

I have a very smart student in one of my classes. She makes very good grades, and always does her work/studies. But she never talks. She will answer if I call on her, but she turnes bright red and talks softly.Should I be worried about her? Can I do anything for her?

Answer 1

Sounds like an introvert.  Usually isn't anything to worry about, but her social development is important.  If she understands social cues, and reacts appropriatley I wouldn't be too worried.

Answer 2

She probably needs to learn social skills I would start with that, usually if they learn about being social and small ttalk , they may open up, also make them like a helper, or a tutor.

My big thing was if peopel were picking on me, I alwasy wanted a teacher to stop it like the gal who banged me and this other gals head togther, nothing ever happened, or the guy that stuck a pencil in my shoulder, I was probably in shock, so I can;t remember if anything ever happened to him. I had to get th elead surgically removed and have a scar there now that I tatooed with a unicorn so you can;t see the scar. Oh yea it was both sides of my shoulder, first in the right and then the left, were the lead became inbedded, never found out what his deal was.

Today if I saw him, I would probably gab him with a # 2 led pencil, sorry...

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about her unless you see signs suggesting  something is wrong at home. Intelligent students are often very quiet because they get picked on outside of class (called teachers pet, Einstein...) You might take her aside after class and praise her for her good, hard work and suggest she participate in class discussions a little more. If you have another quiet student you might seat them together and see if they become friends.

The one thing you do want to do is keep her challenged, so she doesn't get bored in your class and with school.

Answer 4

That student sounds like me. I'm really quiet in school. Teachers always call my parents asking if there's anything going on at home that might make me like that. I mean, there is... to an extent. I have a lot of problems within my family. But do my parents ever tell the truth about it? No.

Maybe she is just naturally shy and nothing is wrong with her. Maybe she is going through a tough time, and she doesn't want to be bothered in school. No matter what the case, you can just be there for her. Tell her if she ever has any problems she can talk to you about it. Tell her you wont judge her.

Answer 5

You shouldn't worry. Sounds like she is just a shy person and there is nothing wrong with that. That is just her personality. You could take her aside after class when everyone is gone and maybe encourage her to speak up in class. But only as a suggestion, I wouldn't pressure her. I am not a shy person, but I only answer when my teacher calls on me. It makes me uncomfortable to not only have the teacher's attention on me, but all the other student's as well.