• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.394-405
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a differentiated instruction-learning reflecting various characteristics and demands of the gifted underachievers, and thereby help to develop the study attitude and study achievement of the gifted underachievers. To achieve the purpose, a case study on five gifted underachievers who are in $6^{th}$ grade of elementary school was conducted. By collecting and analyzing a variety of data including standardized tests, interviews with teachers, students, and parents, and observation journals, this researcher examined the characteristics and demands of the gifted underachievers. For the development of the program, differentiated strategies were designed according to students' interest and concern, their multiple-intelligence, and their learning styles. As a result of the application of them, a program with a total of 20 sections was finally developed. The result of the application for the differentiated instruction-learning program revealed improvements in their academic achievements. In addition, it was found that their learning motives were improved. The program was also found to affect their self-concept and their attitude toward learning. The study showed that developing an education program for the gifted underachievers should begin from the analysis of each student's characteristics. Also, it was found that a differentiation strategy could become an alternative to apply various characteristics and demands of the gifted underachievers to the development of a program. The gifted underachievers' intellectual and definitive characteristics were changed even by the short-term mediation. Therefore, the new issue about educating the gifted is to provide a differentiated instruction-learning program fitting their characteristics and demands and help them exert their potential as best as they could.