Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy low grades

My son just got his grade card. Highest grade was a Cplus. he got an F in science and a D in reading. His comment was "but I'm above grade level" he can do any of this work in minutes and is choosing not to. We are getting test done at our local Children's for any twice exceptionalities. Question is how much of a big deal do I make of this? He seems to care about his grades at times. I don't want the perfectionist kid but I don't want one who doesn't even try.

How old is he?

He is 8 and in the 3rd grade with 1 day a week pull out(htat he loves) I am afraid they will want to take him out of VIKES

I'd put a great deal of emphasis on his lack of effort and choosing not to do the work. I'd focus very little on the grades with him because of his age. On the bright side, you have the opportunity to deal with this sooner rather than later when it's more difficult to reverse. Here are some links about gifted underachievement too.
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/underachievement.htm

thanks for the encouragement

Is he challenged at school? If he can do any of the work in minutes, it might be too easy for him.

Neither my husband nor I were sufficiently challenged in school, but we showed it in entirely different ways; I became obsessive about getting straight As, and he dropped out of school in the 10th grade (later went on to law school). So, yes, I'd be worried about Fs and Ds.

He aces the test that he finishes. He completes all of the homework as well. It is the in class work. The teachers let me know that he doesn't get work done but don't like to send it home saying it is classwork that they need to see completed like everyone else. I know he is bored but they throw out the line that they need to see that he can do it. His scores are in the 99% in all areas. The only day he enjoys is his pull out day of gifted .

(((hugs)))

this seems like a cry for help to me...

Hate to say it but it could be the teacher. I taught public school for many years. I've seen perfectly bright capable kids fail because the teachers had some notion that completing a worksheet equated with learning. They were required to get 9 grades per quarter and so they did come hell or high water.

Maybe you could talk with her about the purpose of grades; which is to measure what a child has learned not to satisfy some district requirement. If she wants to I'd bet she could give him alternative assignment grades, do oral classwork grades, demonstration grades ect. The choices are endless. I mean frankly he may just not like the presentation or method of learning going on in the classroom so doesn't perform well.

I agree very sad.