Yeah, I don't think failing really helps a kid that age kick in responsibility, I think it just makes them feel like a failure. Especially with daily unrelenting (boring?) tasks that seem meaningless. What lesson is that?
- Your smart so from now on you're going to learn nothing
- if you want to loose yourself in your work, forget about it, because the clock is ticking!!
- Interested in building things, or learning about things through wonderful images and 'big picture' explanations? Nope, we're gonna expect you to focus all your considerable brain power on someone at the front of the class going from a-z through an explanation of something you already know about. Then please regurgitate in this series of worksheets.
Did I miss any?
I know I'm reading into your description more than you put, but I guess it's just shocking to me that this isn't even a regular classroom but a gifted one!!
My ds does not enjoy worksheets, especially ones with a horde of math problems, I think he gets confused as to where to even start! I told him to just fold up the paper to one column or row, and do one row at a time, not sure yet if this is helping him.
I think you might want to look at 'Developing math talent', Assouline is the author, iirc. Not for the math parts necessarily, but for the first chapter or two which discuss:
1. Myths about gifted kids, I believe it touches on the 'independent learning' thing.
2. It gives a good outline for identification, and figuring out placement for acceleration by subject, I think a lot of it can be used for subjects other than math.
These might give you some ideas to discuss with the teacher. Good luck!
