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I teach in a high socio-economic area with many talented/gifted/academically advanced kids.

Of course all the kids know who is in the top group and who is in the low group and who leaves class for gifted classes and who leaves class to work with the reading teacher.

My question is how to diminish the stigma of the low group (whether math, reading, whatever). No matter what I try, every year I see many of these kids decide that doing well in school is impossible, I see them stop trying, I see them give up on themselves. By middle school I thinkwe have lost them entirely.

And what really breaks my heart is that just four years ago every one of these kids started kindergarten excited and eager to please the teacher and sure that he or she were going to be the best reader in class.

Do any of you have strategies or tricks to help the "low group" kids feel empowered and confident in their learning, especially when they compare themselves to classmates?
Vet Teacher br> > Do any of you have strategies or tricks to help the "low > group" kids feel empowered and confident in their learning, > especially when they compare themselves to classmates?

Once I saw a masterful teacher turn his 'low group' class into a kind of Gabe Kaplan and the Sweathogs kind of classroom - you'd have to watch thos...See More
Apr 4, 2012
maureen My only comment is that until they take the competition out of education, this will always be the case. Of course, there are children (and in the case of the higher economic areas, parents) who are naturally competitive, but the way school is set up, it only causes the problems for all children. Well, at least the ones who care.

I have per...See More
Apr 5, 2012
Leah Vet teacher, that is excellent advice! There are two articles that might be helpful: 1."Multiple Intelligences" that maybe found by clicking below:

2."My Strengths" activity for children. Having the students complete the complimentary activity will help you discover their individual strengths other than academic ones. To see, click on Act...See More
Apr 16, 2012


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