Trinity,
Our daughter who turned 12 this month is optimally challenged in 7th grade. She earns an A average, but not without effort. I also think she drew a line in the sand this weekend when we told her that her brother would start 6th grade math. She thinks that is great, but I got the feeling that he would not be welcomed by her if he showed up on the junior high scene yet.
I�ve attended a few local seminars regarding gifted issues including sibling relationships. Girls can be tricky and go �underground� around the junior high years. Also, if one child in the family is considered the �smart one�, the other sibling/s may look for their own different niche such as comedian, athlete or �gasp-�mall girl�. I have to look out for both children.
Our DS10 (just turned also) earns excellent grades as well, although he doesn�t have to work at it much. He reads constantly, swims, plays basketball, trumpet, and piano, participates in speech team and acts in plays and is also involved with a charitable organization. I think these other activities satiate his internal drive pretty well right now.
As I stated above, I do think we will have to get creative in 7th and 8th grade for math and science. Not that we are currently offered anything different, but I�m starting to think that I want to keep him at current grade level with some differentiated accommodation through 8th grade. The reason is that there is a particular high school that he would like to attend that only considers the top 2-5% of candidates as determined by an entrance exam.
He is highly gifted, but he�s not at the tippy- top echelon. I don�t know that he would be competitive with gifted kids who are much older.
As far as his current 5th grade teacher, I don�t think she has any ill intent. She is just more interested in managing the herd than any one �kid�. She offers a great Social Studies/ History curriculum. I really did laugh out loud when I read your suggestion for bringing baked goods. I�ve heard that before regarding how to impress and influence teachers in regard to meeting the special needs of gifted students!
I�m glad your family and son have been so well accommodated and accepted at the new school. It sounds like a wonderful environment for an advanced student!
v/r
Diana
