Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy doesn't need to study

My DS in 3rd Grade just finished a unit on science about plants. The first day he brought home 8 worksheets and 12 definitions to study for the test he knew everything 100%. In class he read the text book and filled in the answers and copied definitions. There was no review at school. The day before the test he read over everything to prepare. This volume is a big change from 2nd grade and many parents have been commenting how hard this is, it's so much, oh all the studying...

I really don't feel like my son could use more HW. But what about the fact that he is not studying? He is already very driven. So that's not the issue. My concern is they are expecting the 3rd graders to have a certain learning experience and my DS is not getting that challenged experience. Should I be concerned? If I just make sure he does other things that challenge him is that enough? I am freaking out a little. Please help if you can. Thank you in advance.


I asked DS if he feels challenged this year? He said no, there is just more worksheets to do. I do see he is learning to keep a study notebook and check for more detail is a big goal for him. Not sure this is enough. They are letting him read above level. They are letting him do 2nd & 3rd grade math. He says the math could be more challenging. He does love the Math Puzzle work books he gets to do in his spare time.

DS has been missing all the hands on/nonworksheet stuff they did in 2nd Grade. Examples from 2nd grade - toilet paper roll castles, baking bread, drawing plan parts. I wish there was a way to work more fun/excitement for learning into his day. Or at least bring something done at home into school to show how he furthered his learning on the subject. The thing is he doesn't need more HW. He needs more exercise and social time after school. He does read every night or does his math puzzles for 2 hrs before sleep.

This is where afterschooling can help. GS10 & I are learning greek. He's also taking flute lessons. In the past he's read the 'Murderous Maths' series. He's working his way through Life of Fred, picking up a chapter or two when he's bored. We have stacks of Logic problem work books. Those were real useful to send to school when he had down time at school, same with the Murderous Maths. We also have some nice science & history texts at home, he can take those to school to fill down time, or at home to keep his mind busy.

Sounds to me like he knows how to study.

Does he play a team sport like football or soccer?

Sounds that way to me too. Is your concern is that he knows how to study when the material is "easy" but may not know how to study more challenging material?

He does very well in his many team sports.

He knows what to do when he brings the work home to study. I quizz him the first day. He always knows it, so I just say don't study more. Only reread the material the night before the test. He got 100% on his test.

Team sports kept me connected to my age peers and allowed me to introduce myself to my class peers when I was radically accelerated. Soccer is particularly age-independent if you are a decent player and not playing at an elite level. Sports served to anchor me to my age group.

So if you are worried about social stuff, sports can be the anchor for this.

It seems like he should be working hard to get the As but he is not. Maybe that's just how it will be for him. I imagine even if they moved him up 2 yrs it would be the same. He gets it quickly and remembers it.

He says he feels like there is just alot of work. I think it's a lot of worksheets.

Wouldn't it be cool if they could find out what students knew before they teach? Then let them move on or get more involved when they get it.