Are average children

[shirleyb]

When my oldest was 5 or 6, I would have said for sure he was gifted. He used to sit and read World Book Encyclopedias and my college Micro text books for fun. He would ask endless scientific questions - most of which I couldn't answer! I remember his 1st grade teacher was reading the children a book about a mouse that lived on top of a chimney, and he raised his hand and said that couldn't be, because the carbon monoxide coming out of the chimney would kill the mouse. The teacher was stunned because not too many first graders would have realized that.

But, he was never labeled gifted by the school district, and when we asked, as he got older (in our district gifted program did not start until 4th grade) the teachers always said no, he's not gifted.

As he got older, his abilities became more normal, but even now, as a 21 year old serving in the Navy, for "fun" he will read books about the Byzantine Empire, for instance. He's just always loved to learn - but only what he wants to learn, not necessarily what the school wants to teach him.

DS19 is perfectly average, and DD14 is very smart, and taking all honors courses, but I don't consider her gifted, as I would define the term. She may easily graduate with a 4.0 or close to it, but I just consider her very smart.

 

[dngnb8]

The number one factor for our exceedingly high number of gifted students today is the dumbing down of education. Of course kids seem so much brighter. Teachers are forced to teach to the LCD. Where does that leave everyone else? They need to do something with those kids so they are labeled gifted.

This is factually incorrect. A true Gifted child is not defined as such because they are getting good grades. This is a misconception.

 

[bas71873]

Are these kids that are being called "gifted" being tested in some way to determine that or are their parents just assuming they are and labeling them that way themselves? Just curious . My DD7 has never been given an IQ test and while she's only in 2nd grade and only gets actual letter grades in a few subjects, I consider her an above average student (she reads above grade level, but we struggle a bit with math concepts). Seems to be a lot of threads about IQ's lately?

 

[JerseyJanice]

I was going to quote your diatribe there, dngnb8, but I'm pretty certain that no one would want to see it twice.

I'm not the least bit bitter about anything. You OTOH sound extremely bitter over your gifted child being teased. Perhaps if you lightened up a bit and taught her a sense of humor, she'd be able to handle the teasing? Just a suggestion...

This thread isn't about anybody's children--it's about the parents. It's all about the irony of so many Disers having kids who are gifted or disabled, but rarely average. Like I said before, if you were here longer than last week, you might understand it.

Good luck figuring this forum out. I think if you tried to laugh a little more, you'd get it.

 

[LisaR]

This is factually incorrect. A true Gifted child is not defined as such because they are getting good grades. This is a misconception.

That wasn't my point. I meant we have dumbed down the curriculum so those that are "mildly gifted" are now lumped in the pack with those that are "profoundly gifted." There is a HUGE difference between the two.

 

[dngnb8]

That wasn't my point. I meant we have dumbed down the curriculum so those that are "mildly gifted" are now lumped in the pack with those that are "profoundly gifted." There is a HUGE difference between the two.

oh I wholly agree. Another dynamic is a child can be gifted in math and challenged in history. People think that being gifted means you are brilliant in everything.

 

[LisaR]

Are these kids that are being called "gifted" being tested in some way to determine that or are their parents just assuming they are and labeling them that way themselves? Just curious . My DD7 has never been given an IQ test and while she's only in 2nd grade and only gets actual letter grades in a few subjects, I consider her an above average student (she reads above grade level, but we struggle a bit with math concepts). Seems to be a lot of threads about IQ's lately?

Check out this article!

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_729622.html

 

[Conservative Hippie]

My oldest is 3. She seems "advanced" to us, but it remains to be seen if she is "gifted" or average!

DH and I were both labelled "gifted" in school, and we both went to college on full academic scholarships. I sort of slacked in college and graduated with a decent but not great GPA, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors in physics and computer science!

One of my brothers always struggled in school, and was diagnosed as dyslexic in middle school. He went on to do really well in college, and is currently working on a Masters.

My other brother was also "gifted," and he barely graduated from high school. In his first semester of college he passed 2 classes, and 1 in his second semester. After a year on academic suspension he went back and failed all but 2 classes again. So although we know he is smart, either college isn't for him, or he lets being "gifted" go to his head and thinks it means he doesn't have to work. I know my brother...and I'm going with #2.

 

[tmarquez]

The issue isnt the kid, its you IMHO. You admit you have no clue what they do, yet you seem to have this bitterness. This bitterness is from lack of information. What makes it worse is you choose to remain uninformed and defend the bitterness though lack of information. Youre choosing ignorance.

Wow.

 

[wvjules]

I think there are more "gifted" children today because apparently today's society needs to label everyone and smart just isn't good enough of a label anymore.

 

[tlbwriter]

The issue isnt the kid, its you IMHO. You admit you have no clue what they do, yet you seem to have this bitterness.

Everything you've posted in this thread seems extremely bitter to me. I'm sorry you're not happy about the situation, but seriously, you are walking around with a HUGE chip on your shoulder.

 

[dngnb8]

I was going to quote your diatribe there, dngnb8, but I'm pretty certain that no one would want to see it twice.

Youre such a victim! well played.

I'm not the least bit bitter about anything.

You OTOH sound extremely bitter over your gifted child being teased. Perhaps if you lightened up a bit and taught her a sense of humor, she'd be able to handle the teasing? Just a suggestion...

Did you just go there? Wanna see my sense of humor? Im laughing at you, not with you. See, Im laughing now.

Dad: Hey honey, I know the kids are teasing you cause youre fat (or black, jewish, mexican, insert any class here), but lighten up honey, get a sense of humor!

Child: But daddy, it hurts my feeling. I dont like it when they make fun of me because I am different

Dad: Lighten up kid. your (insert difference here) deal with it.

This thread isn't about anybody's children--it's about the parents. It's all about the irony of so many Disers having kids who are gifted or disabled, but rarely average. Like I said before, if you were here longer than last week, you might understand it.

Youre right, I am a newby. But that doesnt mean making fun of others is okay because youve been here longer. Its all the same.

Join us in laughing at you talking about your children!!

Im sorry if you feel I am bitter for you making fun of gifted families. You know, people were bitter when there were jokes about skin color too, and faith, and what country they were from. I know, just have a sense of humor and let people be cruel.

Its always easy to laugh when nobody is laughing at you. Well, Im laughing at you now.

Good luck figuring this forum out. I think if you tried to laugh a little more, you'd get it.

Funny, you obviously havent been following my posts if you dont think I laugh. Just because I think your humor is cruel, doesnt mean I dont have a sense of humor. You see, that is the last feeble defense of a cruel mind.

And someone quoted my post and said wow! ROFLMFHAO

See the acronym, Im laughing!

 

[dngnb8]

Everything you've posted in this thread seems extremely bitter to me. I'm sorry you're not happy about the situation, but seriously, you are walking around with a HUGE chip on your shoulder.

Maybe its earned. Look at the defense

Perhaps if you lightened up a bit and taught her a sense of humor, she'd be able to handle the teasing?

So fat kids who are teased for being fat should just get a sense of humor

So black kids who are teased for being black should just get a sense of humor

So gay kids who are teased for being gay should just get a sense of humor

So jewish kids who are teased for being Jewish should just get a sense of humor

 

[morethananyonex]

The point of this thread seems pretty clear to me. The number of "gifted" DIS children seems overwhelming, just like the number of perfect marriages, members with morals of a saint etc.

Can we keep the dramatics out of here and save them for the helicopter parent threads?

 

[Tinijocaro]

I think an important distinction to make is this: Being in the "gifted program" at school does not necessarily mean one's child is truly gifted. Many very bright kids are in gifted programs all over the country. Nothing wrong with that-they need the challenge.

All four of my kids were in the gifted program at their school. I know from living with and raising my children that only one is truly gifted, one is super smart, and the other two are very bright.

In any case, I am glad they all had the opportunity to be challenged in school when they needed it. Our schools have since cut out the gifted program.

 

[LisaR]

Maybe its earned. Look at the defense



So fat kids who are teased for being fat should just get a sense of humor

So black kids who are teased for being black should just get a sense of humor

So gay kids who are teased for being gay should just get a sense of humor

So jewish kids who are teased for being Jewish should just get a sense of humor

Nobody should be teased or have to just buck up and accept it. However, I am confused about how/why your child is constantly getting teased about being gifted? Is she in a gifted program? Why would other gifted students tease her about being so smart if they are also smart? It does seem as if there may be something else at play here (maybe an "I'm wayyyy smarter than you are" type thing).

My son (13) is a self professed nerd. He finished high school algebra when he was 10. He wows his friends with math (figuring out the change before the cashier does, turning everything into a math problem, etc). His friends come to him for help with their homework. He is teased for being a nerd and for being clumsy. He is teased because he couldn't make a basket or kick a goal if his life depended on. Most of it is good natured ribbing but he has never been teased for being smart. Why is your child constantly picked on for being smart?

 

[rie'smom]

We have 3 kids- DS #2 and DD tested higher than DS #1. DS#2 got burned out in school and is helping his dad run the sugar cane plantation. Son #1 is a lawyer and is doing very well. DD decided to go to boarding school to be away from distractions which is good because her grades were not good when she was home. My IQ is 141 and I had no interest in finishing college because like our son I burned out. That isn't to say that my desire to learn has diminished. I read all the time and try to keep my brain exercised. My husband's IQ is in the teens and he has an MBA.
IQ means diddly as far as success in life. Hard work and finding what you want to do are more important.

 

[Magpie]

I think an important distinction to make is this: Being in the "gifted program" at school does not necessarily mean one's child is truly gifted. Many very bright kids are in gifted programs all over the country. Nothing wrong with that-they need the challenge.

All four of my kids were in the gifted program at their school. I know from living with and raising my children that only one is truly gifted, one is super smart, and the other two are very bright.

In any case, I am glad they all had the opportunity to be challenged in school when they needed it. Our schools have since cut out the gifted program.

This is VERY true! I was trying to figure out how to say it, but you said it better.

I am grateful for the gifted classes, and frankly I don't care if they want to call them "Advanced classes" or "Blue classes" or "Penguin classes". And I don't care if some of the kids in them are high achievers or work harder or have parents who drill them with flash cards.

Nobody should be teased or have to just buck up and accept it. However, I am confused about how/why your child is constantly getting teased about being gifted? Is she in a gifted program? Why would other gifted students tease her about being so smart if they are also smart? It does seem as if there may be something else at play here (maybe an "I'm wayyyy smarter than you are" type thing).

My son (13) is a self professed nerd. He finished high school algebra when he was 10. He wows his friends with math (figuring out the change before the cashier does, turning everything into a math problem, etc). His friends come to him for help with their homework. He is teased for being a nerd and for being clumsy. He is teased because he couldn't make a basket or kick a goal if his life depended on. Most of it is good natured ribbing but he has never been teased for being smart. Why is your child constantly picked on for being smart?

I think it depends on the school culture, and how segregated the gifted classes are, and what the general attitude is toward the "g-word". My own daughter's got a strong enough ego that she rarely even notices teasing. But even she can't help but notice when a girl on her bus says, "Don't talk to me. Gifties" (that's what they call them) "make my head hurt." Or when she once said to a friend from a non-gifted class, "You're so smart, you could be a giftie!" and the boy took it as an insult.

When my daughter started junior kindergarten, there was a girl in senior kindergarten who could read fluently. I asked the mom if she was going to apply to the gifted program. Her response? "Why? My daughter's got friends! She's not a freak." Ouch.

But I wouldn't say my kid's "constantly" picked on, and honestly she probably gets more flack for having a C-cup, then she does for being smart. At one point in Grade 7, boys were daring each other to run up and hug her! I told her the next time one of them tries to cop a feel, to stomp on his foot. And I think she must have, because they stopped bothering her. She's not a victim!

Just like the dis-boards, school is a rough-and-tumble kind of place. You've got to be able to let stuff slide, pick your fights, and bounce back. Don't invest too much of yourself. And never take things personally!

 

[dngnb8]

Nobody should be teased or have to just buck up and accept it. However, I am confused about how/why your child is constantly getting teased about being gifted?

She is in the Middle Year International Baccalaureate Program. She was in a Charter School with an aggressive curriculum before. She took the state exam 1 year early, and she missed 1 question (Grant it, it was Arizona, not a bastion of education but still).

She's constantly is told, "youre gifted, you shouldnt have any problems" with a sneer. The kids tease her because she has good grades. Brainiac, You think youre so smart. etc... No, it isnt the kids in the MYIB program that tease her. Its always kids on an average curriculum. I use the word average because its the thread title btw. Not because I think that our education system is average

She plays piano, guitar, is a wonderful artist (had her pencil art described as text book quality by the Art Teacher for what that is worth), and has no plans to go to college. She wants to go to Cal Arts and do computer graphic design/animation (yes, my girl is a geek too). She was on the computer at 18 months old, using the mouse and keyboard for educational programs targeting 6 year olds, and she taught herself to read. This isnt just a parent EPeening a child who gets A's.

The ribbing she got when she was younger has made her even more shy then she already is. She even tries not to do so well so they wouldnt tease her. She felt if her grades suffered, some of the other kids wouldnt tease her. She was wrong of course, they just said

I thought you were gifted! HAHAHAHA they seem to celebrate when she doesnt succeed as they think she should because "She's Gifted". Honestly, I have come to despise that word.

When a parent has a child that suffers from other kids cruelty, and see adults acting the same way, it raises the hair on the parents neck. This sort of behavior is taught. Seeing statement like, maybe your kids should be taught a sense of humor, IMHO is just pure ignorance. How about we teach people not to be cruel and respect another on occasion? Just sayin....

Yes people are cruel in life, its reality. That doesnt give permission to keep being cruel. If this was a race issue, this thread would have been deleted. Its okay to be cruel to a family with a gifted child though....

And of all places, A Disney Board.... The Irony

 

[MnMomtoboys]

dngnb8 if your dd is having that many problems at school what have you done to fix it?