GS8 & school

[OHGrandma]

Well, the school finally saw what I've known about GS8 for a long time, he's a smart little bugger. :)

The school provides 2.5 hours/week in additional teaching during the day. There are 6 kids in that class, and they're doing math projects this semester. I wish they did more. Most of his learning seems to be done at home. So, I've been busy keeping him 'fed' with books this school year. He takes a reading test every quarter so they can set his goals for AR. This year he has gained 1 year each quarter, so now he's reading at an 8th grade level. I'm reading most of the books before I give them to him because a lot of them are too mature for an 8 year old. He's also a year ahead on math, with no extra effort.

I'm not bragging, or complaining, but being ahead in school presents almost as many problems as being behind. I do worry that the more he gets ahead, the more likely he'll get in trouble in the classroom because he has more time. His teacher this year allows him to read any time he's done with his other work, that helps. She also allows him to play with his Sudoku book, & crossword puzzle book. I hope his 4th & 5th grade teachers are this good.

[Admin]

Sounds like you have a great handle on a great kid, do not feel trepidation for helping him excel, as those problems, in the long term, are much less worrisome than the problems from being behind, but you are right, he will have a number of problems as a result, along with the potential for misbehavior due to boredom and lack of stimulation, there is also the peer alienation syndrome where many less bight kids will tease and torment the smart kid for raising the bar of teacher expectation, as well as the jealousy generated by those students that need to work really hard to keep up when they see him master things so easily, I know I went through it, however, it does sound like he has a better lot of teachers than I did on Staten Island, in NYC, where they would draw straws to see who got me the next school year, only because I was a challenge to the TEACHERS, for constantly asking questions based on their teaching to the point THEY didn't know the answer and then would become defensive for my pointing out their inadequacies, (yes I was more than a handful, had a way of getting right to the heart of things, including teacher vulnerabilities, which I used rebelliously for their treatment of me, and stifling my need to know, you see I WANTED to learn, more then they could teach) I would suggest, based on said experience, that if he qualifies, put him in the accelerated class, or high achievement class, it will provide a suitable challenge with out over pressuring him, and delineate him from the other groups, where he will still fit in with a group, just not the general one, this will also help keep him from becoming a trouble maker like I became by the third grade, at which point I was reading college level, and 8th grade math level, I wish my parents/teachers were as astute as you and his teachers are.

Admin!

[OHGrandma]

Our school doesn't group the kids by ability, just the top ones are pulled out for the gifted class 2.5 hours/week. There are 6 kids in that class, two from GS8's class(including GS8). Some kids in his class go to classes for remedial help. It seems most schools don't group kids in class by ability any more. :( I just keep telling myself, "even without a lot of extra stuff at school, he keeps getting ahead further and further, so we must be doing something right!"

[audra sonata]

It sounds like you really are doing exceptionally well with an exceptional child. I understand how hard that can be. I have one of those myself. I don't want to worry you unnecessarily, but I just feel like I need to caution you to be mindful of the potential social issues that can arise from excelleration, especially with "pull out" programs that single children out noticable among their peers. Also, be aware that there is a statistically higher percentage of depression and suicidal behavior noted among the exceptionally bright, oftentimes found even in the pre-teens, as a result of the disparity between intellect and maturity levels and unmanageable social pressure. Keep doing what you're doing, but make sure you remain aware of his social and emotional state.

If you find that he's not being challenged enough at school, there are virtual online academies you may want to consider to help challenge him further.

http://www.k12.com/

Good luck with your little guy. Keep us posted on his progress.