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does seem like an informal take on have the smart kid teaching the other students. In my own experience this was not terrible and a bit of a learning experience about other kinds of learners. But it does certainly beg the question of why there isn't material for your daughter specifically if that is what is needed. Hanging out with her friends is basically a free period sounds like, with a new bit of info from time to time.
It is not differentiation, at least I wouldn't call it that.

Differentiation would of course be the teacher taking the time to find harder, deeper material for your child, even if the GT class is already harder and deeper for most gt kids.

If the teacher can't do this for just your child, maybe she can dream up an extra project for this new 'group'?

This is not differentiation, it's pacification. It does address the emotional toll of going to school with nothing to learn, but it does nothing to teach a work ethic, perseverance, or help overcome perfectionism issues where they exist.

Okay that's a new one for me. Sometimes it seems the schools are all using the same "manual" for what to do with the gifted students, and then sometimes there is a new idea (not necessarily a good one) being generated.

I agree with Dude. It might actually lead your child to figure out that skipping school altogether is more enjoyable... Ahem, some personal experience here...

Yes, I am glad that dd is having fun with her friends, but I was worried that it would make it harder to take her out to homeschool. Up until this new method of differentiation, dd was concluding that contact with her friends wasn't enough to offset the lack of learning, but with all this free play time, well, I wasn't sure.

SAHM, thank you for that point. It makes great sense. And supports homeschooling.

I realize it's not ideal due to total lack of learning, but for dd, she needs to be emotionally happy, and this new method of differentiation seems to have perked her up. I say kudos to the teacher for noticing and putting her with her friends!

just an opinion. I think it's ok if different years of school are different. An 11 year old is old enough to tell her, look, this year is great and I know you're having a lot of fun. I'm glad you're having fun right now. Everybody needs a great time sometimes. But when it's time to buckle down next year I expect you to. I don't it's beyond a child to understand or learn that things change and there are different circumstances or different times.

Don't tell her, but an eleven year old girl, I'd expect her to pout or cry and say it's not fair (maybe) next year if it's harder and this year was all play, only for a little.** If you want to homeschool her you could afterschool her litely so she knows your expectations are more rigorous ahead of time. I would go with a streatched out pace, as in schedule the after school only a couple times a week, just with high expectations. You're not piling on tons of work or worktime, you're showing her consistantly how rigorous you're going to be.

**only remembering myself in childhood. kids adjust. there is a transition period.

Yeah. Is it possible to schedule a chat with the teacher to find out what the teacher's perspective is? She may be doing something really strategic-- or really off base-- but you won't know the underlying purposes until you ask.

As you of all people know, MON, approaching it as a non-confrontational conversation about your DD could yield some information and maybe let you suggest a few adjustments to the plan that would get the learning rolling again while also keeping the social fun in the mix.

DeeDee

...and here. In my case, with absolutely no consequences in high school. Pulling the same thing in college didn't go as well for me.

... nor for me.