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That is all well and good, but this parent is advocating for getting special services due to the child's giftedness based on the fact the kid can read.
He also knows his money and can add and subtract in his head. So ya know...stop minimizing.
I'm joking in case it wasn't clear.
OP, I suggest you have your kid do one of those on line IQ assessments.
I completely understand the fear regarding boredom in school and do believe that many smart kids feel "bored" with the level of material being taught in class when they are advanced compared to their peers. That said, I think if you nurture a sense of curiosity and creativity in your child, he can learn how to find things to do when he is "bored" (especially if you get the teacher involved and allow him to bring in interesting material for when he is finished with his work - it goes a long way to help a teacher occupy a kid rather than demanding they put in the extra work to do it.) In addition, I feel like this latest generation has a significant lack of what I call "boredom tolerance." Somewhere, they got the message that if they didn't enjoy doing things or "weren't happy", they should switch jobs/schools/cities/etc. I'm all for being satisfied in your career choice, but no matter what you do for a living, there are parts of the job that are "boring" that one has to do. Boredom tolerance is not only being okay being bored, but finding a way to creatively motivate yourself with boring tasks and learning how to creatively spend down time. The harsh reality is that gifted kids often need to be self-starters in order to get the most out of public education. The teachers rarely have the time or energy to devote to one kid out of 25, so it falls on them to come up with a way to constructively pass the time. If you help your child learn how to occupy his time when he is bored (as opposed to telling him what to do when bored), you are giving him a gift that will last a long time.
As someone who has posted frequently about my own boredom in school as a kid, that's what I wish I'd been encouraged to do. I always looked to someone else to tell me what to do and if I had realized the power and choices in my own mind, I think I would have found creative ways to occupy my time - even when I was very young.
I wouldn't assume that private schools are too expensive. Make sure you go in and talk to them. Many schools work with you to make it financially possible. If you want that option, you have to try.
As for keeping a bright kid interested in school...I found that individual teachers make the biggest difference. Our kids benefit from small private schools where teachers have the time and energy to challenge them individually. Not all of the teachers did/do, but most were fantastic. There's also the option of doing some courses online while still being in school--but I'd avoid online-only schooling since most of the elementary years are about social development.
In case your still hanging around OP, I too have an incoming kindergarten boy for 2018/19.
I called our districts g&t coordinator and they would do the cogat test, but they group kids into the, "right," classroom at enrollment by giving them a short assessment anyways. Morally, I'm not sure if I like that. Gifted and high achievers go together.
We applied for an out of district school that was purely for students who are identified as gifted/talented or high achievers. They gave DS a short test and he had to score in the 95th percentile+, to get in the preferential lottery. They'll kick your kid out of they can't keep up, according to the application.
It was the KBIT2, and they have to meet that score in either verbal or nonverbal to get into the, "gifted," lottery or g&t program in our home district.
I hope if you are serious, I you've called someone but now. It put my fears at ease knowing that if I did put him in the neighborhood school, he'd get services right away. They are however limited unlike the gifted charter he'll be going to, where common core isn't used and they'll start him where he is at every subject.
You can also supplement material at home, or look for a scholarship to private school.
I completely understand the fear regarding boredom in school and do believe that many smart kids feel "bored" with the level of material being taught in class when they are advanced compared to their peers. That said, I think if you nurture a sense of curiosity and creativity in your child, he can learn how to find things to do when he is "bored" (especially if you get the teacher involved and allow him to bring in interesting material for when he is finished with his work - it goes a long way to help a teacher occupy a kid rather than demanding they put in the extra work to do it.) In addition, I feel like this latest generation has a significant lack of what I call "boredom tolerance." Somewhere, they got the message that if they didn't enjoy doing things or "weren't happy", they should switch jobs/schools/cities/etc. I'm all for being satisfied in your career choice, but no matter what you do for a living, there are parts of the job that are "boring" that one has to do. Boredom tolerance is not only being okay being bored, but finding a way to creatively motivate yourself with boring tasks and learning how to creatively spend down time. The harsh reality is that gifted kids often need to be self-starters in order to get the most out of public education. The teachers rarely have the time or energy to devote to one kid out of 25, so it falls on them to come up with a way to constructively pass the time. If you help your child learn how to occupy his time when he is bored (as opposed to telling him what to do when bored), you are giving him a gift that will last a long time.
As someone who has posted frequently about my own boredom in school as a kid, that's what I wish I'd been encouraged to do. I always looked to someone else to tell me what to do and if I had realized the power and choices in my own mind, I think I would have found creative ways to occupy my time - even when I was very young.
I've known kids who were "bored" and got into trouble, e.g. talking to other kids in class, not paying attention, stuff like that; and I've known those who were bored who responded as above. The kid has their part in this issue too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MnMomma
I wouldn't assume that private schools are too expensive. Make sure you go in and talk to them. Many schools work with you to make it financially possible. If you want that option, you have to try.
As for keeping a bright kid interested in school...I found that individual teachers make the biggest difference. Our kids benefit from small private schools where teachers have the time and energy to challenge them individually. Not all of the teachers did/do, but most were fantastic. There's also the option of doing some courses online while still being in school--but I'd avoid online-only schooling since most of the elementary years are about social development.
I also wouldn't assume that "private" is always "better".
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