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What does one do when this happens?

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 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 ...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!

view previous comments

Mrs. A. Bill--

Welcome to my world. Here's what I've learned:

Explain to the kids the need to push them to their potential. Let them (and the parents) see that you care about their future. Communicate with the parents--be proactive as opposed to reactive. (For example, I take all assignments up on Monday, so I send a weekly communication ...See More

Nov 14, 2010

Cadam They are lucky to finally have a teacher that challenges them. Like you pointed out, they coasted through Elementary and therefore don't have any study skills. Obviously they need to develop these skills.

Also, underachievement is common with gifted kids. It is sad when really capable kids just give up or refuse to work because it is all...See More

Dec 6, 2010

Bill T. NC 6th science and social studies it's been a tough transition....

our second set of report cards have come out and things are not so grim as we might have feared.

more than that, my students (all of them) seem to have started to rise to the challenge. Oh sure, there are some who haven't responded...yet, but the proverbial cream appears to be rising to the top. ...See More

Dec 7, 2010

uni OI do think there is just more ugliness in the world these days and parents are swift to attack. My principal got a call on me because I 'took" someone's cell phone - I did not the kid lost it and to cover his rear told mom that I took it. Amazingly a custodian found it in a restroom - was mom surprised to learn little darling lied.

Any wa...See More

Mar 24, 2011

Bill T 6 nc On 3/24/11, uni wrote: > OI do think there is just more ugliness in the world these days and > parents are swift to attack. My principal got a call on me because I > 'took" someone's cell phone - I did not the kid lost it and to cover > his rear told mom that I took it. Amazingly a custodian found it in > a restroom - was mom surpri...See More

Mar 27, 2011

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