Hello,
Can anyone offer their experience or advise of dealing with their children at a younger age?
I have two children, my D is 14 and was tested by her PS district as highly gifted in middle school. She is currently reapplying for boarding school (victim of FA waitlists last year
. Her school experience was uneventful and she seemed to do average as a bright child. She continues to do well.
My S is 8. His school did a preliminary testing last spring which put him into a broad spectrum of gifted. The school at the time said they would be doing a more involved test (such as my daughter had) over the summer. The phone call never came. I suspect the school switching to a charter plus our states budget cuts contribute...
Now that he is in 3rd grade, he has just about had it. He was very excited last year since we told him he would be placed in a class with other children at his level. This kind of happened... There are 3 other advanced children in his class. The rest of the class is either learning disabled or slower learners. I guess they took all the kids who werent in the middle and put them together???
My S has become the student every teacher dreads. He reads a book during her lectures. Gets up and walks around the class room. Refuses to do any class work. We make him do his HW every night and check it. He breezes through it but I found out during his conference he never turns it in.
His teacher tried to set up a meeting with the school psychologist. He was refused because he tests within 99% of any standardized tests.
His teacher says he reads his books (he is reading and comprehending at early HS level) all through class then has his hand up for all the Q and A portion and is always correct and insightful. He aces all his tests.
One thing that has me worried is he has always been a few grades ahead in math. He has stopped progressing in math the last month or so (that I notice). He is stuck at 4 digit multiplication. When the teacher pressed him (without instruction, she assumed he would know what to do) he had a bit of a mental break down. I suspect this is the first time something has not been instinctive for him. He was subtracting 3 digit numbers in his head at 4 years old. He also taught himself to read billboards (multiple syllable words) at about the same age.
Someone emailed me the name of a private day school in our area that only accepts gifted children of IQs of 148 and higher. I am in the process of setting up a Westlers (sp?) test. $800 ouch! The school does not provide applications unless you have a test from the psychologist meeting their requirements.
After going through the boarding school admissions last year, I am assuming gaining entry into this very elite school is not a given. I am seeking to help my son develop both socially and intellectually with what ever resources are available to us. He is such a curious learner with so many ideas, I cant stand the thought of a well meaning public school affecting his outlook on learning and life.
I am already reading through some o the articles and websites mentioned above. Personal insights and experience is what I am asking about specifically.
Thanks!
