Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Specific curriculum for TAG

Is anyone familiar with a specific curriculum for elementary children in TAG? Or, do most schools create their own TAG curriculum. I thought I read somewhere about a specific curriculum.
Also, is there any benefit to a defined curriculum vs. one established by a district?


We're getting read for our meeting with the school and was just looking up a few last minute things!
Thanks in advance!

Every kid has different needs in various areas. The biggest concern to me is that my kid is learning and being intellectually challenged.

The National Association for Gifted Children suggests some standards here:

http://www.nagc.org/ProgrammingStandards.aspx

But your state or district or even the individual school likely has its own view.

Our district use accelerated Math curriculum. (Glencoe/ McGraw Hill/Holt, etc..) Apparently the textbook companies have different curriculum for different pace.

Our schools start TAG Math in 2nd grade and finish middle of 3rd. 3rd grade finish near the end of 4th and 4th grade finish at the end of 5th. 5th graders start at 6th grade level and finish around mid 7th.7th will finish at 8th grade level.

So they will start algebra at 7th grade.

NOW, that's good for majority of TAG kids. DYS kids will need more than that. Although our ISD has defied TAG curriculum, some may need more radical acceleration. My DD is strong in Math and she may take 8th grade Math test at the end of this year and hopefully start algebra next year.

I think it is easier to choose a class in middle and high school. You can just pick what suits you but in elementary school, you are stuck with the curriculum for the whole year. And most teachers resistant to differentiate in the classroom.

Generally speaking, a specific (predetermined) curriculum for any TAG child isn't a good idea. The needs are far too varied for a predetermined curriculum to be highly effective across the range being served.....unless a teacher is extraordinary at modifying existing curriculum on the fly....I've met only a couple as such.