Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Successful outcomes

I have been MIA, moved, starting business. Taking a break from days of database building.

Prologue: Spent the year doing kindergarten applications in NYC, for anyone who didn't know, with an uncooperative 4 year old. In the Hunter interview she told them she didn't want to go there.

Anyway, inspite of her efforts to sabotage my efforts, her musical giftedness, which I think is just part of her visual spatial giftedness, helps her with my super human efforts.

School is important. BUT...

As I went through all my disappointments, I looked to satisfy my sour grapes and found out that Hunter elementary kids did not have great outcomes compared with kids that did not get accepted for kindergarten and got in the second entry point in grade 7. I also looked at the what Outliers wrote about the Terman study and talked about Hunter with a Hunter mom and the problems they are finding with the less successful outcomes.

I really thought that if my HG kid got into Hunter, it would be a hands-off thing. Gifted school, would get what she needs etc etc. But because of the lack of cooperation on behalf of my 4 year old and the events that followed, I find that structuring something that works for her, habits she needs to develop -- like perseverance when so much comes easily, makes me understand it isn't learning the curriculum but habits that will help her succeed in life and create options.

She can read chapter books, she can do the math at least two years ahead. Great, most kids we talk about on this board do that or more. But what can I give her to help with life skills. I am figuring that out and understanding how I need to approach her education-- in and out of the curriculum.

I really didn't think about this 6 months ago.

I hope this helps someone. But I don't think I would have got it without going through it.

How is everyone?

Ren

Hi Ren,

I always look forwards to your posts because they consider angles not usually considered. Good luck with your sideways thinker and your new business!

Huh, that's disheartening to hear that about Hunter. I also had a lot of the same thoughts/feelings about it that you did if DD were to get into someday (we're also in NYC). Where did you see that? Do you have a link to the article/research on it?

Ren, did you get a placement for your daughter that you're comfortable with?

By the way I also have a child who refused to cooperate at age 4, behaved strangely at Hunter's second round (I think the kids are surrounded by people with clipboards) to ensure he wouldn't go there, etc.

Hi everyone,

Well, there is a spot at the Special Music School in kindergarten but she cannot have it for kindergarten... long story on the uncooperation of the nth degree. But she has a piano teacher from the Special Music School starting in September. Considering where she is, I think she qualifies as prodigy but prodigy as an extension from her giftedness, in my inexpert opinion, she can go for grade 1. The Jesuits get her for kindergarten. We think that may be a good outcome for her. The discipline, the uniform. I am really curious how she deals with the religion. (She is baptised but we are not so good about going to Church) She thinks religious beliefs are only for the weak -- I really don't know how she got this as we do not discuss religion at home.

Anyway--I think it will good for her. As most of you know, our children get things easily and are good at most things quite quickly. She needs to learn the perseverance. Why the piano is working out so well, from my perspective. She hates to "learn" the pieces at the beginning, but loves to be able to play them. Practice can often get me up, counting to ten, as we deal with something.

She is also taking Mandarin. I figure this will be a good challenge and she asked for it. So with the Jesuit kindergarten, but she knows the curriculum already (and with the late Sep birthday, she is already one of the younger ones.), Mandarin, piano, ballet and gymnastics, that is her start. And if all works out, the Music school for grade one. The Music school has great outcomes and many kids score well enough for Hunter for admission in 7th grade, which is totally scores. Most kids do the 8th grade math regents in 5th grade. So it looks like a good option.

On the other Hunter info. Rena Subotnik, a psychologist specializing in the gifted, did the study on Hunter and the rest I heard from a Hunter mother. Telling me the school was very concerned about outcomes and the problems.

Ren

Ren,

Thanks for posting. Your DD sounds like a neat little girl. I'd be interested to see how her religious beliefs change over time. Fascinating.

W.

One other thing. For those that read Outliers, do you remember how he mentioned that the children from more upper levels of income had more entitlement feelings -- to call it something -- and so went for opportunities.

A new neighbor at the beach, a teacher of 20 years, made the comment to me that DD always asks what a word means if she doesn't know it, or asks the person (even if an little know adult) to explain what they spoke about, if unfamiliar. She told me that she asks questions that even 5th and 6th graders don't ask. I think that comment made more confident of her path than anything. She is curious but also is aggressive to have the answers.

So despite my meltdown when she didn't get into Hunter, I realize she has some very good habits that will help her succeed.

Ren

After viewing schools and reading Outliers, I do believe in the entitlement theory. Schools that are "upper middle class" encourage learning. I see kids from disadvantaged families attending these schools and benefit from this.

Schools where the discipline is strict and painful (lower class schools) do not seek this out.