Gifted and Talented Programs

[golfgal]

Are they worth it? The counselor at the twins' new school suggested we apply for the G&T program for the twins. They don't have that at their current school, a Catholic school, since they already have an accelerated curriculum. It looks like the G/T program is an hour a week which doesn't sound like it is really going to do that much for them. Is it just one of those things where the parents can brag that their child is in G/T? I guess my perception of most G/T programs is that the kids in the program are usually pretty geeky (sorry, that is just an impression).

 

[powellrj]

no, its not really geeky kids! I know when my kids have done it, its things like special projects they work on, games they play. Its like a fun time doing things other kids aren't interested in. I know one time, they researched their family tree and another time they had math games. My kids always enjoyed it.

 

[KimR]

That sounds like the G&T program at my DDs elementary school. She enjoyed it, but it wasn't critical to her education. However, the children who are in G&T in elementary school are automatically put into G&T In Middle and that's when it becomes important because they have separate classes with a much more challenging curriculum. In addition to keeping the kids intellectually challenged, the classes prepare the kids for AP and/or honors classes in high school. Also, the kids in the G&T program tend to be more academically focused and DD has more in common with her classmates. Yes, some of the kids are probably what you would call 'geeky' (DD proudly calls herself a nerd), but the fact that she is happy and challenged in school and socially well-adjusted is more important to us than how she is classified by her peers.

Of course, your school district may operate entirely differently, but this has just been our experience. At the very least, if you enroll her in the program and it doesn't work for you, she can always withdraw.

 

[KelNottAt]

My kids loved their GnT programs. Really interesting stuff. (Fibonacci sequence, golden ratio, family tree, prisms, lasers, etc.) It was 1 hour per week for math/science and one hour for reading/social studies.

But that was in elementary school. Now that they're in middle school, there really isn't a GnT program. The kids are just assigned to accelerated, academic, or basic. Then, when they reach high school, there's A/P, honors, academic, and basic.

And it's not just for geeky kids. Where my kids attend, it's cool to be smart. Hope that continues next year when DS enters HS.

 

[golfgal]

This would be for the middle school and they don't have a separate curriculum, just the hour a week. The school itself is one of the best in the state already so the academics are great to start with. Hopefully we can talk with some people that are in the program but we don't know anyone that lives there yet.

 

[Cindy B]

My kids gt program is a waste. Its a shame actually. Its an hour a week pull out and the teacher goes to 6 different schools and keeps the same curriculum for years!

Its boring and my son hates it. Its only until elementary school here, no GT in middle or high school.

 

[tar heel]

Some of the most interesting, exciting things my son did in elementary school were in AG. They did fun, extra field trips, for example. I also really liked that he had the continuity of having a teacher who knew him every year from first through fifth grade. At my son's elementary and now middle school, there is a high concentration of AG kids b/c of the school population, and it's definitely cool not geeky to be in the program.

 

[chris1gill]

What's the harm in putting your kids in the program? I'd be thankful for anything extra the school offers your kids.

If GnT programs are for the geeky, then my kids are & I'd prefer them that way

 

[tar heel]

I would especially do it for middle school because this is the age you really want your kids exposed to peers who are at school to learn. Our middle school program is a lot more than yours, though. My 6th grade son is on a "team" of about 100 kids, about half of whom are AG. He has all his core classes with this group, and Language Arts and Math are specifically AG classes. In science and history, he has a mix of kids with about half of htem being AG. This is much more effective than the elementary pull-out program IMO. He is on an unusal team in that so many of the kids are AG, though. The other two teams do not have as high a concentration of gifted kids and have an language arts teacher who only teaches AG -- DS's also teaches the other kids on the team.

Because there are a lot of AG kids at my son's school, he would probably be embarrassed to not be in the program!

 

[chris1gill]

I would especially do it for middle school because this is the age you really want your kids exposed to peers who are at school to learn. Our middle school program is a lot more than yours, though. My 6th grade son is on a "team" of about 100 kids, about half of whom are AG. He has all his core classes with this group, and Language Arts and Math are specifically AG classes. In science and history, he has a mix of kids with about half of htem being AG. This is much more effective than the elementary pull-out program IMO. He is on an unusal team in that so many of the kids are AG, though. The other two teams do not have as high a concentration of gifted kids and have an language arts teacher who only teaches AG -- DS's also teaches the other kids on the team.

Because there are a lot of AG kids at my son's school, he would probably be embarrassed to not be in the program!

Tar heel, this is a bit OT, but I want to live in your school district!!! How's your high school? We're seriously looking everywhere to determine where we want the kids to go to High School.... the only decent high schools near us are Prep Schools, and we are thinking a good public school would be better for a variety of reasons over the Prep Schools... both our kids are years advanced for their age...

 

[golfgal]

I would especially do it for middle school because this is the age you really want your kids exposed to peers who are at school to learn. Our middle school program is a lot more than yours, though. My 6th grade son is on a "team" of about 100 kids, about half of whom are AG. He has all his core classes with this group, and Language Arts and Math are specifically AG classes. In science and history, he has a mix of kids with about half of htem being AG. This is much more effective than the elementary pull-out program IMO. He is on an unusal team in that so many of the kids are AG, though. The other two teams do not have as high a concentration of gifted kids and have an language arts teacher who only teaches AG -- DS's also teaches the other kids on the team.

Because there are a lot of AG kids at my son's school, he would probably be embarrassed to not be in the program!

I wouldn't mind this kind of program at all. I guess since I don't know the popularity of the program I am concerned about getting the kids pigeonholed when starting a new school. I am not worried about them and not wanting to learn. They both have a lot of self motivation to do well in school, very unlike our 13 year old . Having no experience with G/T I don't really know what to expect. I am waiting to hear back from the G/T program director. Maybe they do have an advanced curriculum for the middle school and it isn't a pull out program or after school program. I couldn't really find any information on the district website about the middle school. I think it would be hard to have an after school program with kids involved in sports, etc.

We are helping at a High School Marching Band fundraiser next weekend so hopefully we can find some people that have been through the G/T and see if it is something we want to do.

 

[Christine]

My son was in G&T up through the third grade. It was one or two hours per week. He ended up really enjoying it. Honestly, I think it would be a great program for ALL kids. He really thrived in the type of learning environment that they had in his G&T class (lots of hands-on activities, "thinking" challenges, learning outside the box, etc.). It was a pain once in awhile when he missed something in his regular class, but overall it was a good experience.

Having said that, me (and my son) well, we are fairly "non-competitive" laid back people. When it came time to get approval to stay in G&T, there was a huge process for 4th grade. We just found the whole thing daunting and ridiculous. I was also changing his school in 4th grade (he moved to a Catholic school), but we went through the process anyway. He ended up not being excepted in the continuing program and, honestly, I feel that it was probably mostly my fault because I did not put enough "stuff" in the interview and questionnaire (they wanted all these examples of how "special" he was). I could see that later on into the G&T, it probably would have not been for us because it did seem to get very competitive and some of the parents seemed to be way to into it.

But, if it doesn't bother you and you can get them in it, I'd say go for it.

 

[DVCindy]

Based on my experience with my dd, I'd say give it a try. My dd absolutely loves the program she is in ... and I'll admit I wasn't too fired up about the design of the program before she started it ... but it has been wonderful for her in many ways.

She is in a program where she travels 1 day every 6 days to another school in our district for the full day. She is in class with other GT students in the district and they do stuff that they refer to as "enrichment". It has nothing to do with the grade level curriculum at all. They study about things like Ancient Eqypt, Native Americans, aeronautics, invent things, write their own mysteries, etc. ... but in a very non-traditional way. Very hands on, creative, take alot of trips, have guests in the classroom, etc.

Initially, I really felt that the program should be based on an accelerated curriculum, since the kids that qualify for it are generally capeable of working way above grade level. But I have really seen the value in getting them away from the typical learning environment and letting them explore topics that are fascinating in a creative, unstructured and fun way. My dd has met other kids that think like she does. And yes, many are geeky ... but she enjoys interacting with them. It is great for her to get a break from the traditional classroom that she sometimes gets bored with.

It sounds like the program you have may be similar in that for the 1 hour a week, they will most likely be doing things that are not in the traditional curriculum. They may have alot of fun and enjoy the break from the regular classroom. Give it a try and then decide ... I was pleasantly surprised !

Good luck !

 

[froglady]

My children were(are) in private schools, so there wasn't any gifted/talented program. They were placed in 7th grade math according to transcript/entrance exam scores, with one glass being algebra, and the other being 7th grade math.

There is no further separation until 9th grade, when they can start honors programs in core subjects, then start taking AP courses.

However, there are lots of clubs where, starting in MS, they can excel in different areas. (Math League, Science Club, newspaper, literary paper, language leagues, dance troupe, Thespians, Brain brawl, etc)

There are also a variety of sports teams, including crew, lacrosse, golf, tennis, swimming, along with soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, track, surfing. So a blend of contact/noncontact sports and individual and team sports. (They compete as individuals, but the team is scored as a whole)

Since the MS/HS is a prep school with entrance exam, I suspect all of the students are "gifted." At least all of those from elementary school who transferred to public school after 5th/6th grade are in the gifted or arts magnet middle & high schools.

 

[Hannathy]

Yes they tend to be "geeky" but as my DD said when I showed her this and "we are proud of it" No self esteem problems in this group. She started in the pull out programs, then when she could in 4th grade went to the school within our district for the highly gifted. She always loved the fact that they could talk to each other and understand each other without explaining.They also interact differently with their teachers, and have teachers who know how to work with these guys. Some teachers feel very threatened when they question something and don't just blindly accept things. It is important to get identified for the more advanced programs so you can take the AP classes in HS if you want to get in a good school. In 9th gr she will have 11th gr classes including AP History. I agree that the pull out classes didn't do a lot but were enrichment and lead the way for the program she is in now. I always say to her remember it's usually the geeky kids that become the desirable dates when they are 30 and the cute guys have gained 30 lbs, and added by her are" usually their bosses".

 

[cats mom]

Hard to give a good answer without knowing how the individual program works. Hopefully you'll connect with some people who can give you first hand experience.

When my oldest was in G&T it really was not much more than a label thing. No value there since the kids all had to test into the advanced clases in HS anyway.

Different district: My DS is in a program now and absolutely loves it. We have an amazing teacher and kids are pulled for math, reading or both. They also do a special overnight field trip every year.
ALL the kids want to be in SAGE. Absolutely worth it.

 

[PlutoPony]

Since the program isn't a big drain on their time at school, it might be worth while to try it and see what your kids think.... DS has been in GT since first grade (5th now) and we haven't found it to be geeky at all to this point. My son's interests are sports and sports (in spite of my best efforts), so he really doesn't fit the typical geek mode anyway. It seems the GT kids have kinda formed a bond among themselves and are very supportive of each other, whether they're friends outside of class or not - and we're starting to see a benefit of this support as they're getting to the age where it's not "cool" to be a good student. We hear the G/T program at his MS isn't nearly as well done and combined with the fact that this is an age where kids can start losing interest in academics I'm not sure how beneficial this will be for him in the future. But until you get a "lay of the land" it might be worth it to try - and there may be side benefits of being in the program like being put with specific (better) teachers in regular classes, etc.

 

[4nana]

IMO, when ever there is a program offered that will possibly intellectually challenge our precious children, I say you can't go wrong.

Our 4 children attended public schools many moons ago, they are now 35 -39 and believe it or not we were so fortunate G&T was offered then. Starting in KG being allowed to read with the first/second grade class, I truly believe these early yrs benefited them throughout their education. Later in middle school they also enjoyed the G&T 2 wk summer programs offered at different colleges. In HS all were in honors and AP classes, graduating at the top of their class.

Trust me, I've been very blessed, and you won't consider it 'geeky' when the scholarships start rolling in and all their involvement, hard work, pays off and they are distinguished by graduating Summa, Magna or Cum Laude. You will be honored as your eyes fill with tears and your heart with pride and joy!

 

[ElizaB39]

That sounds like the G&T program at my DDs elementary school. She enjoyed it, but it wasn't critical to her education. However, the children who are in G&T in elementary school are automatically put into G&T In Middle and that's when it becomes important because they have separate classes with a much more challenging curriculum. In addition to keeping the kids intellectually challenged, the classes prepare the kids for AP and/or honors classes in high school. Also, the kids in the G&T program tend to be more academically focused and DD has more in common with her classmates. Yes, some of the kids are probably what you would call 'geeky' (DD proudly calls herself a nerd), but the fact that she is happy and challenged in school and socially well-adjusted is more important to us than how she is classified by her peers.

Of course, your school district may operate entirely differently, but this has just been our experience. At the very least, if you enroll her in the program and it doesn't work for you, she can always withdraw.

This is similar to my DDs program, only it is a half day pullout program once a week. Next week we are going to NYC to see a Broadway show (fully paid for by me). They do things like build robots, make amusement park rides out of straws, study Greek mythology, play strange games where you have to think out of the box, and etc. Also, being in the G&T puts her in an accelerated classroom where she will test for 9th grade math for next year when she will be in 7th grade. She loves the program and we love what it does for her mind and self esteem. The kids in her class are geeky, athletic, musical, shy, outgoing, big, small, tall, short, popular and not popular, and etc.

Give it a try!

 

[golfgal]

I got an email back from the program director. I guess the way they do their program is that the G/T kids are clustered in their classrooms, their teachers are notified who they are and they are given "extra" work or different work to complete. They are also eligible to participate in some special activities although she said those activities are open to anyone who is interested (things like Knowledge Bowl, Math League, etc). In 7th and 8th grade they are eligible for advanced math and science classes although they are not guaranteed a spot and those classes are open to the non-G/T kids too. It sounds more like a label for kids but I think I will sign them up anyway. DS especially needs to be challenged more-he is the kind of kid that never has to study and gets all "A's". DD is more of an "A" student that has to work a little to get top grades but it isn't difficult for her.