Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Which education option for subject acceleration?

Which option do u think works best for a child who is going to be accelerated in one subject (Math) in the school?

1) Joining a higher grade Math class but only 2 grade higher so the child actually already knows all that is being taught

2) Having a Math mentor to teach him during regular Math class.

3) Doing na online distance course like CTY at own level and pace during regular Math class time in class.

I will be meeting with the Principal very soon to discuss abt the above. All advice or any other recommendations appreciated. TIA.

S-T,
It really matters if your child loves learning with others, or is perfectly content to work one-to-one, or one-to-computer. These options all exist because they all work for some kids. Also what age and grade are you talking about?

Would the Mentor actually work at your child's readiness level, or just assume that it's impossible for the child to be so 'ready.'

What everyou try, you'll make your best guess, and then everyone will have to watch and be willing to change. Flexibility is key!

Best Wishes,
Grinity

For my kid who seems (thus far) to like working independently, I'd vote for 2 or 3 too. But if you have a kid who wants to learn alongside other kids, is there any chance of a higher class to join to he's learning something?

Thks for your views.

DS8 is currently at grade 3. He started with option (1) with 5th grade Math class since beginning of the year. Feedback from the 5th grade teacher was that everyone loves having him in class as he knows what he is doing. When asked if he likes the class, he just shrugged and said "OK but actually I am not learning anything new". He is someone that will sit through the class without complains.

The option of CTY opens up since he qualifies with this recent SCAT results. I found out that the 3rd grade teacher is actually looking forward to him doing it in the classroom while the rest of her kids are having Math. The current pull-out option makes DS missed out his regular reading and writing class... so the teacher has to make it up while the class is doing something else. She also shared her view that it's a pity that DS had to miss mini class discussions during reading/ writing as she thinks these are valuable too.

The mentor option is suggested by the school psychologist. This mentor is a tutor who is passionate abt Math and is currently tutoring high school math outside school. I have not met this tutor and do not know at the moment how the tutoring will work.

I would have a backup plan in place as in "let's try option X, if that doesn't work as evidenced by Y, we'd like to try option P." I agree w/ the others though from my READING, ie not experience, is that pace is usually an issue. In "Reforming Gifted education" there are several questionnaires for DC to fill out which indicates what kind of learner he/she is. My son, for instance, scored low on doing independent projects at school. He thrives on discussion and interaction with others. Now w/ a subject like math, he'd likely be fine w/ a computer course but I bet would love an enthusiastic tutor. I would like at your child's personality and ask him/her what he prefers.

Right now the school is leaning towards (3) so now we are preparing towards that direction. I would love to have a mentor too but that would have to wait or I have to consider it as a after-school since time in school is limited.

For which course to take.... CTY sent me a placement test with the title (for 5th-7th grade). I have DS completed it over the weekend. Will be faxing it over today. Let's see what they come back with in 3-4 days time.

OK.. I am back now with answers.

As mentioned above, DS8 completed the placement test for 5th - 7th grade. After the review, CTY came back and said that he is eligible for Pre-Algebra, but if I want, I can consider having him tested for the Algebra course since he did very well. He did that. Based on the 2nd test results, he is going to do the Algebra course (AL1) (starting in April).

Sounds like you've made good progress. I have a friend with a son doing option 1 and he is bored all the time. Don't think it's helped him much. Yesterday we read the article by Dr. Ruf below - which outlines her son's life story - but shows how many options there are, and how flexilbity is impotant - and more importantly outlines near the top how them not being at their pace/level affects them adversely. Her on worked with a tutor too.

http://www.educationaloptions.com/resources/resources_pg_child.php

I would opt for 3 with a back up plan or mixture of 2 and 3 as he sounds very gifted in this area - but personality would definitely need to be taken into account as well.

Let us know how it goes!

I agree with Dottie. A mix of 2 and 3 would be ideal. Is the teacher going to monitor his CTY at all?

Well, I can tell you that we were only offered choice 1 and I've been very disappointed with it. DD loves the class because despite it being review for her, it's more interesting the the rest of her day and she loves being with the older children. I have been working with the school to either put her in a higher grade level (right now she is 2 grades above in math) but they won't budge. I have to after-school her in math because it is completely unacceptable to me that my dd learn no new math for a whole year. Wish her school shared that view.