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by gifted mom
Oct 14, 2010
I am an elementary school regular ed teacher with a gifted daughter. Usually I post on my grade level board, but I thought maybe the experts on this board would have some ideas.
My daughter is a first grader, and she is in the gifted program. For the first nine weeks of school her math homework involved things like, "Fill in the blank 1 _...See MoreI am an elementary school regular ed teacher with a gifted daughter. Usually I post on my grade level board, but I thought maybe the experts on this board would have some ideas.
My daughter is a first grader, and she is in the gifted program. For the first nine weeks of school her math homework involved things like, "Fill in the blank 1 ___ 3 4 5 ___" and "Tell your parents how you use a number chart." When I met with the math teacher to ask her about this (these are things she has been able to do for years), the teacher gave her the end of the year test by closing her in an office where she thought she was being punished and letting her cry for 40 minutes. Then the teacher showed me the "test" to prove that my child doesn't really need a challenge (which she actually did quite well on). When I asked why the skills on the test are not being taught in class, I was told that the first nine weeks is "review, to build the kids' confidence." My kid doesn't need multiple repetitions or nine weeks of review, she picks things up much more quickly than that.
My daughter's reading teacher has a concern that she is not paying attention, she seems tired and puts her head down on her desk during reading. So much so that on her report card she was downgraded in the work ethic section (this is extremely unlike her, she has always been well behaved, hard working, and a pleaser). The teacher says she understands the concepts thoroughly, is able to complete high quality work and demonstrate higher level thinking skills consistently, but she doesn't pay attention to the instruction, so maybe she should be put in a lower level reading group. I see it this way: the child can do everything you ask and more without the benefit of any of your instruction....she's bored.
My daughter loves learning. She looks things up on the internet, she reads constantly, she runs her own little science experiments at home and does math for fun (fractions, fact families, addition with regrouping, etc.). Until this year she loved school (preschool, kinder), but now she cries and says she doesn't want to go, the reading teacher says she seems depressed, and other subject area teachers have said she has crying meltdowns in their classes.
I understand that my daughter has different needs. I do what I can to help her at home...she is in after school activities to gain better social skills, and we give her more challenging work at home so that she can continue to progress. When we see her self-directing her learning, we encourage her in whatever activity it is she's trying, whether it's observing the bugs outside or asking for math problems. I am a teacher, I know how hard it is to meet every kid at their level all the time. But I feel like she's not even being met half way.
I'm new to this as a mom...what do you suggest? Should I offer to provide alternate activities and ask the teachers to allow her to do that during class time instead? I hate to make her stick out or to make her think she doesn't have to listen to the teacher. But I also hate to see her time wasted and to see her love of school dying. What is appropriate to ask for from the teachers? What is appropriate to expect from the school?
Thanks for any thoughts or advice.
How do others approach the teaching of reading to gifted students in upper elementary? Do you have them read novels in class, or assign out-of-class reading? What sorts of assignments do you give them to do?
I have been assigned to create a binder for our entire corporation that will house sites and titles of teaching ideas, strategies, and rescources for those students that are pass plus on the ISTEP. Suggestions and ideas greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
by Bill t 6 nc
Nov 5, 2010
I saw it two nights ago and the images I viewed have haunted me ever since....particularly the image of the 13 year old who committed suicide because she got a B on a math test. Some of my current gifted students are super stressed enough to do something like that and it now keeps me up nights.
Check it out
by Bill T 6 NC (this is lengthy)
Nov 7, 2010
I don't come here so often as I used to.
Seems like whenever I do, it's to complain about something or address a problem. Here I go again....
I have more "gifted" students in my three science/social studies classes than I ever have before. I use quotes around "gifted" because I really question whether the majority of these stude...See MoreI don't come here so often as I used to.
Seems like whenever I do, it's to complain about something or address a problem. Here I go again....
I have more "gifted" students in my three science/social studies classes than I ever have before. I use quotes around "gifted" because I really question whether the majority of these students are actually gifted or just high achievers with pushy parents with political pull in the school system. We're a rural system, very rural and lower SES. I know there are still children who are gifted in such situations, but I think our numbers are inflated.
No matter.
I have high standards for all of my students, identified or not. Nuts...I have high standards for me. Why else have I spent parts of the last four, consecutive summers (and considerable amounts of my own resources) going to professional development all over the country and world, from Alaska to Belize?
I digress...again...
I am pushing my students, the "gifted" ones as well as all the others, doing project based learning, giving short, but somewhat demanding quizzes, grading almost everything we do in class, mostly for participation, not for mastery.
Some of the "gifted" students are not meeting the challenge. I polled them early in the year, Nearly all the "gifted" ones told me that elementary school was a cakewalk for them, barely a challenge at all. Now, some of those same students are getting B's, C'd and in a few cases, D's (even one F) because the assignments they do are poor quality or are not done at all and they are not prepping for or doing well on my brief, ten item quizzes, I give weekly or biweekly. Neither are some of them doing the daily science labs or notebook entries (some call them bell ringers) we do each day at the beginning of class.
I've had more "hate mail" and more parent complaints than I ever recall having in 20+ years. Some of the complaints border on the ludicrous. I feel as though I am under siege because I hold my students accountable. I've had to deal with "helicopter parents" before, but it seems like I have a proverbial squadron on my hands this year!
How do others approach the teaching of ELA in gifted. Do you read novels and teach grammar through the study of novels? Do you teach and writing grammar separately? I have to prepare my students for state testing, and I feel overwhelmed at times. I only have about 50 minutes with my students.
Once upon a time I was a reg poster here on this board. This was a topic we touched on often. Some great in depth research and discussions went on between parents and teachers back then as we all had that one thing in common, To support the social and emotional needs of these children.
The few reponses I did read here on this very serious ...See MoreOnce upon a time I was a reg poster here on this board. This was a topic we touched on often. Some great in depth research and discussions went on between parents and teachers back then as we all had that one thing in common, To support the social and emotional needs of these children.
The few reponses I did read here on this very serious thread surprised and shocked me such as this one.
I know that, particularly with gifted kids, much of it is > self-induced, but I still believe much of that is relative to > parental and societal expectations
Could be any of the above or maybe none of the above. You have barely touched the tip of the iceberg.That is why it is our duty as parents/caregivers teachers to get to the root of the problem. As a team as it would be a difficult task to go it alone.
As we all know knowledge is power. Educate yourselves . There is tons of info on line .Check out SENG and Hoagies for starters. There is a wealth of info there.Much more now than when we were doing our research. Then come back and discuss the things you find. Help each other help the children. Stop pointing the fingers of blame and leave egos out of it . It is a useless waste of time and energy.
I am sorry if I sound a bit harsh. It is not my intention. This is my passion because I know depression can be helped and suicide can be prevented. There is nothing so sad and heartbreaking to see that spark slowly fade from a bright child's eyes. Anyone familiar with the gifted knows the spark to which I am referring.
Oh, and don't forget to take good care of yourselves as you continue on this journey. These children need you!
I'm looking for books appropriate for a first grader reading on a sixth grade level. He loves Wimpy Kids Captain Underpants. I need other suggestions.
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