How to challenge a gifted kid and get the school to do so to?

Question

My son, who will be 8 on 6/8/07 appears to be very gifted academically. He learns at a phenomonal rate; therefore the rest of the class is on one level and he has been bored since preK. He is doing intergers in his head, reading on about a 6th grade level, etc... The Problem = he is shy and doesn't speak up to the teacher to ask for other stuff and gets bored with his regulare mundane work and starts to goof off; therefore I look like another bragging Mom when I go to the school.
So how do you keep them challenged and how do you get the school to listen and maybe even skip him?

We just had our first year in a Charter School which is independantly operated public school and they implement "Core Knowledge" as well as the NC Standard curriculum. Everything is taken to new heights, and he was in a special English, reading, and math group, which he sailed through those too.
Why is it that he has to do extra work in addition to his regular work. Thats like saying, "here's your reward, more work" Not fair

Answer 1

I was in the same boat as your son all through kindergarten and elementary school, and my mom struggled with what to do about it. In Kindergarten, they had me signing contracts of how many math worksheets I would do a week, just to keep me motivated (crazy!) I then got pegged as the "special" child by all my teachers, which did not help because all they would do is load me up with more work than the other students, which made me feel like an outcast.

My Mom ended up going to multiple school board meetings, and eventually convinced them to implement a special program for gifted students. Now, 18 years later, the school still has the program, only it has grown more than she could have imagined.

The program was called EEP (Extra Enrichment Program), and in 3rd grade - 8th grade, we (3 other students and I) would get pulled out of class twice a week, and attend the program. There, we learned about the Mayan culture, heiroglyphics, we did tons of brain teasers, and even collaborated with other schools and participated in a Mock Trial. Definitely not your average elementary school curriculum! I cannot thank my Mom enough for getting something like that going for me, it made school so much more interesting and fun.

I highly suggest researching what other schools nationwide have implemented for gifted students, and then present the idea to the school board. It may take some convincing, but if my Mom could do it with the district we lived in, anyone can.

My favorite thing to do back then was the brain teasers, and maybe until you can get a program implemented, try giving some of those to his teachers, and see if they'll give them to him during school when he starts acting up (assuming they aren't in the middle of another subject). They are challenging, and when you finally figure them out, you immediately want to do another one.


Good luck to you!

Answer 2

First of all, have your son tested. If the school is unable to do it, there are other people who are certified to do intellectual and achievement testing. This will give you an idea of exactly what level your son is functioning on. This will enable you and the school to be able to place him appropriately, whether it be in a different program in the school, another grade or another school entirely- whatever is best for him. It will give you the ammunition you need to say that your son is gifted and needs more than the school is offering.
If your son is not being challenged in school, find a way to do it at home. Take trips to museums, aquariums, planetariums etc. Read about the exhibits and the animals after the trips. Visit the library and find some books on topics he likes- science fiction, history, whatever. Kids are like little sponges- they don't have to be in school to be learning, they can learn at home, too.

Answer 3

There are special schools for gifted children - Your finances may not allow for private school but if they do, check them out. I don't know where you live so I can't help you there. If you decide to keep him in public school, the school is required to provide him with whatever services he needs. Who cares if yousound like a bragging mom? You're doing what is best for your son. Schedule a meeting with his teacher and ask for some extra work he can take home. Or see if she can give him some work as a challenge while other kids are doing something he already knows. Go to your principal if you don't get the response you want from the teacher. Good luck.

I'm sorry you took my "extra work" comment in a negative manner. I understand that some kids may see extra work as a negative but most kids have homework anyway - what I probably should have said was to give him more challenging homework than the other children. Speaking to the school administrators is probably your best bet. I wish you and your son LUCK!

Answer 4

First of all congratulations on having such a gifted learner. Now for the bad news. With the laws and rules public schools are up against these days they are very reluctant to change any curriculum even if it is so the student can excel. I would go to the school and request placement testing or an IQ test. You may need to do some research on what kinds of tests they already do at the school and look into tests you would like them to administer since often you need to request them by name for the school to take you seriously.It may also not be a bad idea to look up advocacy programs in your area such (most of these focus on special needs students but will also know where you need to look for your child) for information and support. Good Luck to you and your son in the upcoming school year!

Answer 5

I started sending my son to a kindergarten a year earlier than recommended, as he was very lonely at home, with no kids in the building of his age. He picked up everything well, but was the youngest kid in the class.
Moving to another country, he joined a new school in Grade 1, and from the start, could easily do everything, as he had done all this in his Kindergarten. There he was writing full pages and learning three languages, but in the new school, he was only supposed to write words and stick to English.
His teacher was initially upset with him, but then started to give him extra homework and classwork from Grade 2. He was reading advances books also.
At home, he does a lot of Activity books, that are advanced for him, like for 7-9 or 8-10, and he is 6. True, they are harder, but we ask him to do it only if he can, and try not to bore him.

He loves the fact that he is doing more, and the teacher can concentrate on other kids, while he is busy. There is one more child doing the same thing, so they keep each other company.
There are many units in school, where his Grade is meant to help Prep Classes and even their own class fellows, so this got him into helping others learn and liking it.

I think you can show his work to the Teacher and ask her to get him to do some stuff from other grades.
I personally think, it is unfortunate that age has been fixed for each grade, otherwise, kids like your son, should be doing a lot more, with those who are doing the same thing.
There are many pros and cons of it, like he might be bullied by the older kids, if he is moved to a higher grade, but as long as the school is aware of it, and they let him do extra stuff, just to give a challenge, it will sure help.
The teacher should be the one to notice it, instead of letting your son be shy, she should get him to help her and other kids, so as to boost his confindence and to share what he knows.
My son was also shy, and quiet, and couldnt get along well with his classmates in the beginning, but thanks to the other work and praise given to him, he is happy and much more confident.
Get your son to do advanced work at home and then show it to the teacher, so that she can see for herself also.
Best of luck!

Answer 6

I am having the same problem. My son is known as the "trouble maker" in class. He is 6 years old and learns very fast. He has a photographic memory. He said the work in class is for babies. He gets bored and acts out in class. The teacher told me he was the smartest kid in her class. He is ahead of everybody else, but they won't put him in a class with just one teacher (advanced class) because of his behavior problems. I told them that the behavior problems would go away if he was challenged. So far I haven't had any luck. Maybe you can try to get your son in an advanced class next year. Your son's school might be better than my son's school in that regard.

Answer 7

If he doesn't have an IQ test on file, ask the school to administer one. then you might convince the teachers that you're not blowing smoke.
With all the tests they're giving kids now, he should have some scores from one given this spring to show progress. Just insist they don't ignore it.
Einstein was so bored in school that he was kicked out, labeled as uneducable. so keep trying, he's worth it.

Answer 8

My daughter has gone to school in NV & CA and they both have a program called G.A.T.E. Gifted and Talented Education. She attends a class with only GATE qualified children and they have more challenging work. Your School district may have something similar. Just asked to have your child tested.

Answer 9

Well. this was like me. i was put in the
C enter for
A chiedemially
T alented
S tudents
cats wuz excelent for me it wuzbefore school. in m,any school there is also enrichment for talented kids. See if there is any of that in your school. or an excellerated class. i was in that as well. however the excellerated classes are mostly in middle school. Possibly ask your teacher for an IQ test and then skip a grade. maybe ever talk to his guidence cousler