My Son Is Gifted And...?

Question

I don't think the school is providing enough education for him. Our school ranks a 2 out of 10 in the state. Not good. 10 is best of course. Is there anything else I can do to encourage his gift of learning? Does anyone else have gifted children and do you do anything extra or do you depend on the school for the entire education. I have bought him work books for the summertime. For instance, if he goes into 3rd grade the next year I buy him the 4th grade book because the 3rd grade workbook is already too easy!

He's also talented with music. I don't have money for lessons, do you know of any web sites to help him with it. I do have a bit of musical history but that was a while back.

Just for info: He's 8, in third grade, reads at a 8th grade level and his math is at a 6th grade level.

Thanks!

Why do some people have to be so ignorant? I was asking for help, not smart remarks. If you don't care then don't answer. It's that simple! There's no reason to be rude.

I do not "think" my son is gifted. He is in the Gifted and Talented class. He took a special test to be placed in that class. He also is in Honor Choir which is by special invitation only. It's not like I think he's so brilliant and no body else does. I can't believe how rude people feel they must be. I asked a simple question...that's all.

I'll say it one more time. He is in the Gifted class. He has taken the test and passed. He is gifted, I just some ideas on how to keep him interested in learning.

Answer 1

Check out Odyssey of the Mind (OotM)

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/

My two oldest boys are gifted and are involved in this program. It is GREAT as it encourages creative thinking and problem solving, and encorporates all areas of curriculum. The nice thing about Odyssey is that is can ben done in the scool, after school, completely away from the school, and you, as a parent, can help the child (by becoming a coach... I just started coaching, and haven't had any training, and it's a ton of fun!!)

As for the music lessons, check out the MusicLink Foundation.

http://www.musiclinkfoundation.org/

From their website:
"The MusicLink® Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides long-term musical training and opportunities to promising students in financial need across the country. Nominated students who meet MusicLink eligibility criteria are linked with professional music teachers who provide ongoing partial to full scholarship lessons for as long as the child wishes to learn."

As well, make sure your son has had testing. If you have a piece of paper that says that, according to academic testing, your son is definitely gifted, then it is a lot easier to advocate for your child. Sometimes this is available through the school. You can also find it through local universities.

Once you have officially proven that your son is gifted, then, meet with the teacher and principal and say that you want an IEP. That stands for Individual Education Plan. They will (hopefully!!) sit down with you and work on a way to keep your son engaged in school.

Also, there is a yahoo group for parents of gifted kids: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parentinggiftedchildren/ You will have to sign in with your yahoo id, and the list owner will have to approve you (it's not an open group, but moderated). This is a wonderful group of parents who can help answer questions, share resources, bounce ideas off of. Their "links" secion has a bunch of great resources too.

One of the best websites for information about gifted education is here: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ You'll find a TON of wonderful informaiton.

It's great that you have a gifted child, but what people don't realise that it's just as challenging advocating for them as it would be had your child a learning disability. It's up to you to advocate for your son!! Good luck. (And hope to see you over at the parentingigfted list!!)

Answer 2

My son is eight, and he was in the Horizons program at his school for about a year before I realized that the "gifted and talented programs" at his school were teaching them the same things I was learning one grade LOWER than my son is now. It was absolutely infuriating, because he was getting into SOOO much trouble in school, and still making perfect scores. I was getting called in for conferencing once a week before I got him tested for a private school's prestigious (and very expensive if he didn't meet the qualifications) scholarship program.

At any rate, he made it, and we're not having NEAR the problems that we were. He plays the piano, by the way, and some of those teachers will work around money issues for gifted children.

Answer 3

Honestly, Homeschooling is the best option. I am 17 and the school system here on a ten point scale it ranks a 1, the worst in the state. so my parents decided to Homeschool me. I started going to the community college for over 1/2 of my classes at age 16. I will be done with highschool and the equlivent of a year &a 1/2 of college by the end of this spring. I have NO social problems, that is a myth of homeschooling. homeschool kids often have BETTER social skills. and I have no other problems at all. Homeschooling will let him work as fast as he wants, and posably finsh school early. email me if you have questions.

Answer 4

tell your husband to give up and evaluate for a minute how he would experience in a wierd domicile on a holiday with out his relatives or friends, terrified and then to be excluded from something like present giving. Even a $5 present is more desirable than countless those youthful ones had at domicile. Your husband sounds like a jerk- i can not imagine not paying for for or loving on a baby because they weren't blood. i became a foster mom very last year in the time of Christmas. Our foster baby became 2 years previous and were given 5-6 small presents from us and yet another 2 or 3 from our father and mom. The seem on his face at the same time as he realized that those toys were his became surprising. those little ones choose some particular interest. you've the right theory and prefer I reported, the presents do not should be severe priced.. basically see you later as they are for them. solid success and God bless

Answer 5

My 10 yr.old son is also like that, and he's in a gifted program at school. Does your child's school not have anything like that? If not, I think you should get him things that will keep his mind working, like sodoku books and crossword puzzles. There's alot of things on the market now geared toward learning, and it sounds like you need to get him stuff made for an older age so he feels challenged. As for the music, some video games have games that teach you how to play different kinds of instruments, and alot of instruments come with instructional dvds. I always keep my son occupied by having him draw me pictures of things I come up with(that's his interest), and then to make captions or stories about the pictures. He loves to use his imagination, and anything they do that keeps their brain busy is a plus! Lastly, you might want to check out Family Fun magazine or their website. They always have cute ideas for kids! Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Take steps to help him skip a grade... also, make sure he is getting enough social skills. His IQ and such will get him no where without social skills, and sometimes parents of the gifted forget about that little fact. I added some websites that have great tips for you and resources for him. I wish I could help you with the school problem, but sometimes there is very little you can do.

Answer 7

I'm sorry to say but just because your son is reading at this level and has musical talent doesn't mean he is gifted. He could just be a little smarter than others. When I was in 3rd grade I was reading at a 10th grade level and doing math at I think like a 7th grade level. They don't really mean much actually. I use to be just like this, but I am not some child prodigy I just was a little smarter than others. I still do really well in school. I'm in 8th grade now and I don't know what my reading level is because they don't test it anymore, but last year at the very begining of the year I took a placement test and got a 10th grade 1 month score. But THOSE DON'T MEAN ANYTHING! I still am smart and get all A's but that doesn't mean I am gifted. Sorry I don't think your son is gifted he just learns a little faster.

Answer 8

Go to your local library and look for books on raising gifted children, they will offer all kinds of advice. If you do not understand them I am sure your son can read them to you. Just kidding.

Answer 9

Why don't you try homeschooling him so he can do what grade is a challenge to him? I was in a gifted program when I was in school and we were taught at the level that was challenging. Most schools don't have this.
My niece is highly intelligent so her mother homeschooled her. She was bored in school because it was too easy..

She just started college and she's only 14.

Answer 10

see if you can get him skipped a grade or two and find out about talent pool program there. see if you can work with him to keep him challanged and see if you can talk to the teacher to see if you and the school can a special program up for him so he can get challanged and be in a social group that isreat for him. he maybe be able to graduate early if you and the school can set up a program for him