Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Trouble at school....me or them?

Ok, this is kind of long....my ds 8, was tested in 1st grade and tested gifted. He was placed in a combined 2nd/3rd grade gifted class in the public school (his sister was in the 3rd grade side in the same class) last year. He did OK with his teacher although the teaching style was not what we expected, but seeing it was our first year dealing with this, we didn't say anything. Well, this year, he has the same teacher in a 3rd grade only gifted class. His sister has moved to a separate 4th grade class. We are now seeing the difference and want to know if anyone has any ideas of what to do.

We have met with the teacher twice already this year. It is the same thing. Her quote today was "in order to be in the gifted class, he must be an independent learner". Well, my son is not. All she gives every day, for every subject is worksheets. He hates worksheets! Add that to a ticking clock (that drove me nuts just while talking to her for 10 minutes!) and we are not having a good year. He excels in spelling, reads at a 6th grade level with almost perfect comprehension, but give him a worksheet test and he is lucky to get a 'C'. She gave him an open book Social Studies test and he gets a 50. We don't know what to do. We asked her to move him away from the clock, but she only put him one desk away. When I tried to discuss worksheets, she said he just has to get used to it. This is NOT what we are getting from our daughters 4th grade class. She has minimal amount of worksheets and lots of hands on projects. Needless to say, she is excelling. We don't know if it is our son, or the teaching method or a bit of both. She wants to let him fail in order to make him take responsibility. I want him to take responsibility for his work, but I don't want him failing.

Any ideas?

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!

OH my son would wither and die in a classroom like that. Is there any way to get him transferred out of that class into a different one? HOw does your son feel about the class? Is he able to make it through the year in the hopes of getting someone better next year?

Your description is right on! I think I will get that book so it gives me ideas. The 4th grade teacher (my daughters) spent the first 3 weeks learning each childs learning style. My ds teacher spent it on worksheets. She wants him tranferred to a regular class where there "are no expectations" - her quote not mine. We have already done the regular classroom and ended up with behavior problems. On top of that, I just saw his grades from yesterday's 4 tests (yes they were worksheets!) and he got 3 100's and 1 75. The 75 is because there were only 4 questions and he missed one! She told him yesterday that she has given up on him and will no longer give him extra help. I see another meeting on the horizon.

We don't have any other choices except a "regular" classroom and that just won't work. Next year's teacher seems awesome (my daughter has her this year) but his current teacher told him he won't survive.

Ahhhh! No child should EVER hear that someone is giving up on them. Oh, that makes me sick to my stomach. Would a regular classroom be any worse than this environment? It sounds toxic.

Umm...the only meeting I would see after that remark is one with the principal in which I would expect her to introduce me to my son's new teacher. And possibly explain about that classroom in the school that has no expectations.

!!??

This is very troubling!

Wow! I'm shocked as well. I totally agree that a meeting is in order, and YES, a meeting with the principal! Speaking to an 8 year old like that is absolutely unacceptable. Gifted children are hard enough on themselves as it is. The last thing he needs is to hear she's giving up on him. I'm appalled!

I understand your reluctance to place your ds in the regular classroom, but would it be possible for the regular ed teacher to provide a differentiated or accellerated curriculum in his/her class? I know that's unlikely but might be worth a shot if they are willing to try. It seems to me that the gifted teacher has a lot to learn about gifted education. I've been homeschooling for one week (pulled ds6 out of private school), and my ds panics when he sees a worksheet! He was inundated with them in school. It's so wonderful that you have the option of a gifted classroom, and then to run into that situation. I know you must feel very let down.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't know why it has to be so hard. I'd definitely recommend meeting with the teacher and the principal to discuss not only the teaching style vs. your son's learning style, but also her comments and how unproductive they are for everyone involved.

Good luck.

I'd go further and suggest that she has a lot to learn about working with children. They're so young - they need to be with adults who support and encourage them, who draw out their strengths and give them help with their weaknesses. If she's "giving up" then that's her failing, not his.