Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments IB vs magnet vs leaving well enough alone...

DS skipped 1st & is now in 3rd grade. He does very well but probably not really challenged in some areas. He does some pull out reading classes & just started in a another pull out research group =students will research & write reports on diff. topics, led through media specialist. They offer a gifted Spanish club & chess club after school & he participates in both.

He LOVES science and I don't think they do a huge amt at his school. His older sis 1 yr ahead. Right now he is motivated to learn but I worry that he'll get comfortable coasting. He can get frustrated easily sometimes when he is challenged by something.

There is a neighboring district that offers a science magnet program starting in 5th but it'd be a trek to get him there. There is also an IB program at the elem/middle/HS level in our district but diff. school. Or I just leave him alone and be happy they offer the pull out classes for him & some others. I also make him a harder spelling list, math problems & things as I can at home. He's very interested in 4H & looking into that for science enrichment also.

How do you decide when the learning environment is good enough or you need to keep searching? He's very easy going so he doesn't complain but I don't want him to always get high marks because he already knows the material, kwim?

I think this is a sign that something needs to change. If you can't find ways to change this outside of school, I'd consider changing schools.

I agree that Inky is pointing to the key indicator. I'd also ask if he has any friends where he is now. Does he seem to be happy socially?

Given that his older sister goes to the same school, and I hate driving across town if I don't have to, if he is happy socially, I would monitor his ability handle challenges, and see if you can get some improvement with
1) enrichment such as 4H, Oddessy of the mind, Reptile Club,Lego Leauge, etc.
2)Verbally praising the smallest hint of 'persisting through challenge' - I've been calling it 'your quiet power' lately.

((Hugs)) to you - it is always difficult to know how much is 'enough.' My thought is that with his older sister in the house to bring in 'older friends and older interests' he is more protected than some of our oldests and onlies.

Love and More Love,
Grinity

Socially he is ok. He generally seems happy though I'm not sure he has any really close friends. There is a group he plays with but can't tell if they are truly buddies or if he's a guy they tolerate, kwim? Most of them are in Scouts together but he doesn't get called for many playdates. It doesn't bother him or he doesn't notice.

His sister is his best friend but not sure she shares any of his interests. They do great make believe stuff but she's much more artistically oriented.

I'll have to look around for some of those other enrichments, sounds right up his alley. He discovered the periodic table in a book the other day so he's found another part of science he wants to explore.

He did tell me when we were talking about school the other day that he feels like parts of his brain are empty and he needs to fill them or those parts will die. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.

Thanks for the advice. I did find a gifted seminar in our area in Feb so plan to check that out. I like a challenge, I just wish I didn't feel like if I don't make the very best choices, he's the one that suffers!