Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Happy HG child in "regular" school-is it possible?

Hmm. My two are in a language immersion program in a public school, not accelerated. I think it's ok... I'm not sure sometimes.

DD10 (gr. 5 - late birthday, second youngest in her class) is in the gifted math pull out. Now she has her eye on the gifted art pull out (they have math, art, science and language programs for GT). At one point she announced that she wants to be an author, but has expressed no interest in the language program. Her French spelling and grammar marks range from 95%-100% and her English is generally perfect, so she could probably benefit from more challenge there. Ironically, her writing is quite poor - very minimalist with little effort behind it. The writing portion is what has brought her language grades down to Bs. Her teacher says she does the bare minimum that is required, and we're both sort of at a loss as how to motivate her because she has quite crippling perfectionism that shuts her down. Bottom line, she's cruising and avoiding her issues. Socially she seems ok - she's known this group of kids for 6 years now, and it's a clever, quirky bunch. There are several who are high achievers who overshadow DD and allow her to stay in her "chameleon comfort zone."

Is it the best education for her? Not sure. Is she learning? I think so. She seems to enjoy going to school. I think.

(lol it sounds like I don't even know my own kid... she's sort of multi-layered and complex and can be very difficult to read. sigh.)

DS8 (gr. 3) has a language disorder and written output issues so he's getting his BUTT KICKED in language immersion. It's quite awesome. He is getting lots of support (LA for French, time with an EA, time with a SLP). Language immersion is very, very difficult for him, yet he seems happier than DD10. His teacher is amazing and flexible, and has suggested that I let him work out of his sister's grade 5 math text, and is very supportive when I occasionally pull him from school to work one on one with him (she doesn't have the time or resources to adequately differentiate his curriculum). He has an IEP for his LPD and ADHD and it seems to be working out ok. Most teachers do not advocate working ahead in Math because it's so sequential, but this teacher is very open to me providing DS8 with enrichment, so there are never teacher Vs. parent conflicts (this school is filled to the brim with exceptional teachers, actually... we're very lucky).

He's also given extra language homework from his SLP, which we work on, at our own pace. He fills in a homework log to earn prizes. He's been added to the school's Raz Kids database, which is an on-line reading comprehension program through which he can progress at his own pace.

Bottom line, he's getting TONS of support for his language weakness, and the school is very supportive of me accelerating his math.

Is it working? Sure. He's happy, has friends, goes to school each day without a fight. It it perfect? No. He needs in-class math acceleration (we don't have enough time after school - we only do a little bit), and enrichment in other subject areas such as science. The superficial coverage that typical grade level curriculum gives science is not enough to satisfy his curiosity and interest - at home he's full of additional questions, seeking more detail and depth. We Google a lot.

(Disclaimer: The OP was talking about HG kids... I'm not sure if my kids are HG. I am, but that doesn't mean that they are. DD10 likely is, but DS8 might be in the MG range).