Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Underachievement versus too challenging

Does anyone know where I can find some good articles on this? How do you know when to push because behavior is related to boredom/frustration with material/curriculum being too easy and how do you know when they are too challenged/frustrated/struggling? Are there different signs? Thanks.

http://www.educationaloptions.com/resources/resources_ruf_ar.php

I recommend he above link - TONS of articles - a few seem specific regarding lesson plans/ challenge. Haven't had time to read them all yet.

If you haven't checked out Dr. Ruf's site (she is a tester in MN) I found it helpful - and I know she's mentioned elsewhere on the site.

Thanks for the link IronMom. I had not found those articles before. Very informative.

Basically you're looking to have the child working in the "zone of proximal development." This is the difference between what a child can do with help and what he can do without help.

With DD6 I know she's in the ZPD when she can do most of the problems on her own, misses a few and then the light bulb goes on when I explain it to her. If she misses a few just because of careless mistakes and no lightbulbs come on, this is a sign it might be too easy. If she misses a bunch and the lightbulbs aren't coming on when I explain, it's too hard.

A major factor in this is DD6's attitude and I've discussed with her what an important role attitude plays. When she shuts down, the ZPD drops to a much lower level. With a bad attitude, she can't even solve problems with my assistance that she can do independently when her attitude is good. I tell her the most important thing is her attitude and give lots of positive feedback when she keeps a good attitude in the face of challenging work.

I couldn't find any articles to support my personal experience but I hope this helps.

If I find any specific articles soon, I'll post them here or maybe under Resources. Feel like we are creating a 'monster' of infomration out here! Would like to be able to find it again easily in one place. Did you check under "resources"? And the Davidson Institute articles on giftedness probably have something - they take me ages to read though.

Thanks. I think I finally at least have math sorted out. Today when I gave DS6 his math assignment he said, "Great mom! This is exactly at my level. I love this math." This kid just amazes me some days. LOL It's 3rd grade math which the PS said he definitely wasn't ready for. He got them all correct! Now on to the other subjects...I'm pretty sure he will not tell me he LOVES LA at any point.

You might be surprised! DS7 couldn't stand math...until we found his correct level and areas of interest. All of a sudden this year, he's a math whiz!

You may find the same with LA. If he hits his stride and gets the right material, he may enjoy it. Maybe...

Okay - more details please - how did you both figure out the math thing? Where did you start? What convinced you to go with a particular thing - was there $ involved in that decision? Or did you use something free on line first?

For us, I went to several online math sites (a lot of ps have links to websites). I printed off several different versions of doing the same thing. DS6 kept complaining of how easy/boring it was. Then we got to Singapore and he made the above comments. Will stick with that until it too turns easy.

Ironmom, Aleks.com has an assessment that comes with the program starting with third grade. They usually have a one month free trial,, you could start there.

Singapore math offers a free assessment you can print out and give. It's geared towards their learning program which I find is advanced compared to US standard education. Ex., multiplication starts at level 1, 1b.

Here is a link, scroll down for the links to the assessments:

http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm