Are average children

[SaraJayne]

Im not asking for "special" attention. Had you substituted a race, religion, even gender in the place of gifted, this thread would have probably been deleted.

Why is this class of people different?

The thread isn't about race, religion, or gender.

Why do you keep trying to make it into something it isn't?

You certainly aren't getting any sympathy about your "gifted" DD. When my child complains about "problems" at school, I ask her "who is the common denominator?"

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I'm not usually over on this section but this thread caught my attention and I've been reading through all the posts. It seems like there are more and more people, not only on the Dis boards but also in "real" life who are talking more and more about their "gifted" children and about their children needing "special" attention. LOL, it's becoming a bit of a plague.

ITA, I was a mod on a different website and it seemed like over half of the moms had children who were "special needs" in one way or another.

 

[mickeyboat]

I don't know - would you get rid of athletic programs b/c some kids are going to be jealous that they didn't make the team? Think about it - the team gets to travel to other schools and compete, they get school-wide recognition and special treatment - pep rallies, etc.

Kids are talented at different things - the kids who can excel at academics should have the opportunity to challenge themselves with a tougher curriculum. Being in a gifted program doesn't mean that they are in a bubble.

Point taken. My thoughts centered more around elementary-aged students, while I think yours are more relevant to high school. Most kids by high school have settled with a group of peers with whom they share similar interests While there is definitely some bullying in high school, I think the teasing that some posters have complained about on this thread mostly happens in elementary school and early middle school - while everyone is still searching for their place in the social game. By the time kids get older they understand that everyone has different talents and that it is o.k. to celebrate lots of different kinds of achievements.

 

[eliza61]

The thread isn't about race, religion, or gender.

Why do you keep trying to make it into something it isn't?

You certainly aren't getting any sympathy about your "gifted" DD. When my child complains about "problems" at school, I ask her "who is the common denominator?"

who knows? I was wondering the same thing. It seem like a pretty interesting thread.

 

[Magpie]

I have to disagree. I think having a whole class of kids in the same boat opens them up to more harassment. How is your daughter going to learn the rules to survive the social game if she is insulated from the rest of the school? Getting special treatment, trips, experiments, etc. leads to jealousy which leads to more harassment. I am starting to think pull out gifted programs do more harm than good for those gifted children.

Really? That's like saying that selective private schools are bad for children's social development, because it keeps them insulated from public school kids!

Our congregated class doesn't get ANY kind of "special treatment". There's 30 kids and they get the same number of field trips as any other class.

The only difference is that because they learn faster, the teacher can spend more time in class on discussion and going more in depth in a topic. And they don't have to do a whole lot of "drill and kill" type learning. They do more projects and given more flexibility when it comes to presentations. It's been great for my gifted/LD son who has trouble writing!

My daughter will learn to survive the social game the same way everyone else does - by dealing with her peers in the classroom. Given how smooth her transition to high school has been - where courses are Academic, Applied, or Gifted - I don't think it's hurt her in the slightest. She's not having any trouble interacting with her non-gifted peers in gym class.

 

[christymarie]

Im not asking for "special" attention. Had you substituted a race, religion, even gender in the place of gifted, this thread would have probably been deleted.

Why is this class of people different?

I think, truly, the answer to your question is because it's more subjective. I can see a person's skin color, I can see their gender, I may even be able to see their religion depending on what it is, but I am not able to readily see someone's "giftednees" or their "specialness" and that creates a murky soup.

 

[dngnb8]

The only bitterness I've found on this thread has been in your posts.

You're obviously upset about the plight of your child well, HANG ON. Yours may be her "giftedness", other parents have other issues to deal with.

Now is the time to make it clear to her and YOURSELF that NO, life is NOT easy and everyone will not like you or appease you. Make life wonderful for your child in your world and remind her that she is never to find happiness from the rest of the world.

My mother was amazing in that fact, if I told you what I went thru you'd faint. It's all a matter of how she told me WHO to believe in. I live off that till this day and it's your turn to teach her, too.

Ignorant people will be in your history, you will be her constant. Don't get mad, get to work.

So all this gives you the excuse to continue with what you do? The world is a mean place so GO AHEAD!!! WOOT BE MEAN! YAHOOOOO

Since people in this world can be mean, Theyre allowed to be mean? that gives them the AOK! to go ahead huh? Wow, just wow.

Additionally, what makes you think we dont know this environment exists? What makes you think we havent discussed this? Some pretty broad presumptions.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Message to....


Gifted/above-average kids: Feeling isolated? Tired of being mocked because of your intelligence? Don't feel bad. This country has mocked/ridiculed intelligence for decades. Being ignorant has become a virtue. Wish you were 'normal/average' like everyone else? Remember the stories about the 'child prodigies' who graduated college at 8 years old, and the fabulous things they accomplished later in life? No? Exactly. Most of them ended up living regular/average lives. But don't waste your talents. Perhaps someday, being intelligent will be seen as a good thing once again.


Average kids: Feeling pressured by parents/peers to do better, but can't seem to reach the level of performance that the "brainiac" kids hit? Don't bow to the pressure. Just do your best and forget the rest. Find what you love/what you do well, and make that your focus.


Below average kids: Everyone has their talents. Find yours and put your efforts into improving that aspect of your life. Someday, those kids is the 'gifted' class might end up working FOR you. Remember, it's not always the smartest people that end up running the world. Just look at most of the people running the government.

 

[Basil of Baker St]

Yes I have been. I have been disrespectful to people disrespecting and getting upset that I have pointed out their disrespect. This is a hypocrisy I can live with. Funny you only point out my disrespect

Well, I'm just committed to pointing out other people's hypocrisy and not letting them off the hook. Or something like that.

btw - apostrophes. You're making them feel all excluded.

 

[RabbitFood]

So all this gives you the excuse to continue with what you do? The world is a mean place so GO AHEAD!!! WOOT BE MEAN! YAHOOOOO

Since people in this world can be mean, Theyre allowed to be mean? that gives them the AOK! to go ahead huh? Wow, just wow.

Additionally, what makes you think we dont know this environment exists? What makes you think we havent discussed this? Some pretty broad presumptions.

The only "presumptions" I've seen are those represented in the first paragraph above. What excuse? Who is doing what to whom?

 

[Jessica14]

As a teacher once said to me, "There is nothing wrong with being average as long as you are a good person."

This whole thread reminds me of a student I had many years ago who is of college age now. I had her brother the year before and he had been in a preschool for gifted children. He was bright in many ways, but he lacked a lot of basic skills. It's nothing that I worried about, but he was clearly not gifted. Here comes the sister, who also was in the same preschool program. Not only was she not gifted, she was one of my lowest kids.

I think one person's perception of gifted can be another person's more objective perception of average. This is certainly not to say that anyone here who says their child is gifter is wrong. I just speak from my experience.

For the record, DD8 is above average in second grade, but so are many of her friends. I don't think at this stage I would classify all but one (not my DD) as gifted. On the other hand my son is firmly average and does below average work. I am not worried about it or think I need to let people know how smart he really is. He's just my boy!
Jessica

 

[Basil of Baker St]

Point taken. My thoughts centered more around elementary-aged students, while I think yours are more relevant to high school. Most kids by high school have settled with a group of peers with whom they share similar interests While there is definitely some bullying in high school, I think the teasing that some posters have complained about on this thread mostly happens in elementary school and early middle school - while everyone is still searching for their place in the social game. By the time kids get older they understand that everyone has different talents and that it is o.k. to celebrate lots of different kinds of achievements.

I see what you're saying. I can definitely see your point. I definitely think it doesn't make as much difference how the classes are organized in elementary school, or even middle school.

 

[dngnb8]

I think, truly, the answer to your question is because it's more subjective. I can see a person's skin color, I can see their gender, I may even be able to see their religion depending on what it is, but I am not able to readily see someone's "giftednees" or their "specialness" and that creates a murky soup.

This thread has nothing to do with "seeing"

Additionally, many of these kids are identified by the classes they take. The treatment occurs once they find out theyre gifted, not because they look gifted

 

[dngnb8]

The thread isn't about race, religion, or gender.

Why do you keep trying to make it into something it isn't?

You certainly aren't getting any sympathy about your "gifted" DD. When my child complains about "problems" at school, I ask her "who is the common denominator?"

This thread is a satirical post about a classification of a type of individual. What the classification is doesnt matter. Im simply pointing out that it seems okay to make fun of Class A, but not Class B.

 

[marcyinPA]

My boys could both be above average, but they are not driven AT ALL, so they are pretty average. We hear a lot of "not working to potential" from teachers.

BUT, they are both very mission-minded, giving, loving kids. I wouldn't trade that for straight A+'s ever!!

 

[MissUndastood]

The thread isn't about race, religion, or gender.

Why do you keep trying to make it into something it isn't?

You certainly aren't getting any sympathy about your "gifted" DD. When my child complains about "problems" at school, I ask her "who is the common denominator?"

 

[Alyssa88]

I have been wondering this myself.

First of all where do these children get it? I mean, with all the gifted children on these boards it is amazing to know that their parents don't even have the basic math skills to realize that they can't afford to take a vacation. Or parents who come to the boards with possibly pressing medical issues and ask whether or not they should see a doctor, really? Or posters who are just to dense to grasp the satire behind a thread and simply take it as one more thing to become offended by. (troll maybe?)

and ... .Can someone explain to me why these gifted high school students need so much help with homework and projects from their parents (and thus- the dis). I graduated high school in 2005 so it hasn't been that long but I don't think my parents ever helped me with my work. I was in a few honors classes and it was my decision and therefore my responsibility. How are these kids going to function in college?

What I find funny is people who had a child take an IQ test when they were younger and are certain that their child's IQ remains stable- IT DOES NOT! In most cases children who have high or low IQs gradually mediate towards the norm eventually. And really, only being one standard deviation from the norm is considered mildly gifted??

 

[MissUndastood]

This thread is a satirical post about a classification of a type of individual. What the classification is doesnt matter. Im simply pointing out that it seems okay to make fun of Class A, but not Class B.

With all due respect sir, you need to take a little break from the internet. You really are getting much too worked up over a message board. Just step away and breathe.

 

[dngnb8]

With all due respect sir, you need to take a little break from the internet. You really are getting much too worked up over a message board. Just step away and breathe.

Thank you for your advice. I prefer to stay here and continue to contribute to the boards. Im sorry if my opinion of others making fun of parents of these children seems to be an issue to you.

thank you for your concern

 

[wvjules]

I'm not seeing anyone making fun of anyone?