Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth?

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Oh, I know COMPLETELY about not talking to other moms about my kid! Although it's tougher this year--she got into the special gifted class that meets off-site one day/week--the other fifth graders know she's gone, they're not stupid, but the gifted teacher has instructed her not to talk about it. Luckily, she's quick enough to provide a non-answer, but it's kind of a shame--if she were a gifted athlete, we could talk about it, but if they're smart, keep your mouth shut!

 

[chris1gill]

Oh, I know COMPLETELY about not talking to other moms about my kid! Although it's tougher this year--she got into the special gifted class that meets off-site one day/week--the other fifth graders know she's gone, they're not stupid, but the gifted teacher has instructed her not to talk about it. Luckily, she's quick enough to provide a non-answer, but it's kind of a shame--if she were a gifted athlete, we could talk about it, but if they're smart, keep your mouth shut!

OMG, that is so funny in a NOT funny way!!! My son is the same way, he's QUICK with a response... my most favorite response of his is "WHY do YOU need to know?" LOL... when he EVER came up with that one, I just about died LOL.... We had to move school's for him last year, he was drowning in the public school where there is no gifted program at all, and the principal told me that he was the most difficult type of child for them to teach to, and that under federal mandate, they didn't have to!!! Yeh, we listened to that for a few years, but it just got so bad, we had to figure out where TO place him. Luckily we've found a pretty good fit, and there are several other kids just like him... he fits in perfectly He had some friends at the old school who used to tell him to stop being so smart & then BLAMED ME for having taught him TOO much Well, I only taught him what he asked, is it my fault he was multiplying in kindergarten for goodness sake????

Oh well, at least I know how you feel & you know how I feel!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We're pretty fortunate, it's a rural school district, but they have a decent gifted program. There are ~100 kids/grade right through HS. This year they have 4 kids going to the off-site program, so they put two in each of two fifth grade classes, so they aren't isolated. Still, the other girl from DD's class overheard classmates saying that "H and J are too smart for their own good!" Like it's the girls' fault! Meanwhile, I have DS8--when he was in K, they tested his reading level. He got 95%, at the sixth grade level! His teacher said she'd never seen anyone like him. You can bet we kept that one real quiet, too. But in his case, he doesn't like being singled out or anything--just wants to be a regular kid, which we let him be to the extent that he can. Fortunately, the gifted teacher has him figured out, too. I kind of wonder, too, if it might be easier in elementary school for boys--girls just get so catty about stuff! Not that it's been a ride in the park with DS, but he doesn't seem to have the classmate issues that DD runs into.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Oh, I know COMPLETELY about not talking to other moms about my kid! Although it's tougher this year--she got into the special gifted class that meets off-site one day/week--the other fifth graders know she's gone, they're not stupid, but the gifted teacher has instructed her not to talk about it. Luckily, she's quick enough to provide a non-answer, but it's kind of a shame--if she were a gifted athlete, we could talk about it, but if they're smart, keep your mouth shut!

I can really relate to this. I'm amazed by the number of teachers I work with that will sit and talk all day about how bad their kids are doing in school(both academic and behavior), then get upset when another teacher and I comment on how well our son's are doing.

My son took the SAT twice for the Johns Hopkins program. Last summer he took a biotech class at Moravian College in PA. He had a blast! As soon as he got home he asked if he could go to Santa Cruz next summer.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Yeh, one thing I have learned, is NOT to tell people how bright your kid is, they don't want to hear it! (did I just say that??)

Be careful discussing it on the DIS too!

My sophomore DS has enough credits to graduate from high school this year. But SSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH don't tell anyone!!!!!!!

We have done a lot of out of level testing through the talent searches. Neither of the boys ever attended any of the summer activities due to their participating in summer baseball (select teams... another SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH).

This year will be our 15 year old's fourth time taking the ACT - he has jumped two to three points in score each time he takes the test. It's no big deal now... no nervousness because of familiarity. That is the true value IMO.

He already has gained entrance into the Honors program at the college of his choice. (SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

Hope your child enjoys the experience and gets to participate in the programs! Good luck!!!

 

[chris1gill]

I was hoping we wouldn't step on toes here, but you're right CJmickeymouse!!!

DisneyJunkie, do you have any sort of idea how the summer program was run? How was it they made it fun for the kids, and not just an extension of the school year? I'm assuming they must add some component of extracurricular activities?

BuzznBelle'sMom, I'm sorry to tell you, but our DS was also told by his male friends that he was just too smart & not to be too smart because then they didn't want to hang around with him! It's not only girl's who can be catty Now he's in a school where there are definitely kids more in tune with him ability wise...

This has been a big issue for us since DS was four!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

This has been a big issue for us since DS was four!

We have dealt with this since before school as well. Funny enough, the main concern the school had was maturity and how they would handle being with the older kids. When finally given the opportunity to accelerate (without actually skipping grades) the kids were happier academically and socially. Go figure!

You can debate the peer issue all day - peers are NOT necessarily agemates.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Actually, my DS seems content right where he is, and he knows he's the smartest kid in the class and seems confident about this. We've considered acceleration, but not for him, not right now, as confidence has been an issue for years (frankly, I think his brain scares him, if that makes sense!). Our DD would accelerate in a heartbeat if they'd let her.

But we also try hard to put them in other activites where they can be "average", like scouts and dance and so forth. But still, you can run into issues. DD gets picked for special dance projects--not because she's particularly talented (trust me!), but because she works her little tushy off and the teacher knows DD will be at every special rehearsal, then go home tired and sweaty and sore, and throw her shoes back on and practice some more on her own. And in scouts, she's one of the few girls who has the initiative to do badges on her own, so she has more than most--dont' think the other girls haven't noticed...

I think with some of those things, it's that whole self-motivated thing that's so common with gifted kids. Even if they start out "average" in an area, they have the drive to put in the extra work to excel. And if they have a kernel of talent, they really take off! (Like CJMickeyMouse's son, but we know she's just bragging! I'm kidding, of course--I just couldn't resist! You must be so proud of your son!)

 

[chris1gill]

We have dealt with this since before school as well. Funny enough, the main concern the school had was maturity and how they would handle being with the older kids. When finally given the opportunity to accelerate (without actually skipping grades) the kids were happier academically and socially. Go figure!

You can debate the peer issue all day - peers are NOT necessarily agemates.

OMG, I am totally ROFLMAO about this... Can you believe that last year DS's teacher (4th grade) actually COMPLAINED because DS would only play with the older children (6th graders)on the playground??? HELLO!!!! He is a better fit with the older children on the playground!!! This year those 6th graders are gone & the older children are only a year older than he is, so he has relegated himself to play with kids his age LOL.... Funny how maturity can go, DS is like the policeman in the classroom LOL... and I agree CJMickeyMouse, you have a milliong reasons to be proud

BuzznBelle'sMom, it's a funny thing about motivation... the first three years in school DS learned he didn't really have to do a thing to get A's, so he was happy to do nothing by the end of that third year! What a horrible thing to have learned in school.... before that, he was always a go getter... now we have to strongly encourage him to reach forward for things... I'm hoping he will take to the summer program & reach out to kids who are like him... I can only hope!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Thanks... I am very proud of both of our boys.

You know the funny thing is, we had them take IQ tests. They are two years apart in age - tested at an identical IQ (adjusted for the age difference) and both fell just BELOW the "accepted" gifted range. Yet they each perform many years above their chronological age.

I think the saddest thing is that there are children underachieving everywhere - partially due to NCLB - partially due to societal pressures to not "stand out". When I hear elementary age children discussing "stress" and "anxiety" due to challenges presented.... that just makes me cringe and wonder what is next for these children.

High expectations are the key to everything.

Off my soapbox........

 

[Princess Dot]

Sorry to jump in here, but my 6th grader got this invite last Friday and I was told they extened the registration because we had gotten the info so late.

I'm not sure if I understand something though, if you also qualify in the 7th grade, they let you take the SATs just to see how you do? That would be very interesting and I would love to have her be able to do this.

I am up in the air about this year though. She started laughing at the cost and said "that much just to take a test?!?" I am still trying to figure out if this worthwhile, so this thread has been great! Thanks!

 

[disneyjunkie]

DisneyJunkie, do you have any sort of idea how the summer program was run? How was it they made it fun for the kids, and not just an extension of the school year? I'm assuming they must add some component of extracurricular activities?

Sorry it has taken so long for me to reply. My PC is on the blink so I can only log on when I'm on campus.

I'm not sure how each site operates, but this is how things were done at my son's site.

The kids were assigned dorms and roommates based on the class they were taking. They traveled around campus with an RA (college student). They had a very tight schedule they had to follow. That schedule contained tons of time for them to kick back and have fun outside of class.

There were several themed parties during the three-week session. There was a book club that was reading the last Harry Potter book. They had movie nights. They put on plays and had a talent show that were hosted by the kids. They had time for sports.

At the end of the session, the kids were given a "year book” which highlighted all of the things they had done.

I was pleased to see that they spent just as much time playing and relaxing, as they did working.

 

[momtoce&j]

I'm not sure how each site operates, but this is how things were done at my son's site.

The kids were assigned dorms and roommates based on the class they were taking. They traveled around campus with an RA (college student). They had a very tight schedule they had to follow. That schedule contained tons of time for them to kick back and have fun outside of class.

There were several themed parties during the three-week session. There was a book club that was reading the last Harry Potter book. They had movie nights. They put on plays and had a talent show that were hosted by the kids. They had time for sports.

At the end of the session, the kids were given a "year book” which highlighted all of the things they had done.

I was pleased to see that they spent just as much time playing and relaxing, as they did working.

This is pretty much how things were done at my DD's site as well. (With the exception that for half the time, half of the kids were on their respective boats studying blue crabs, oysters or whales.) But when they were on campus they had themed dances and different activites they could do after dinner every night and their weekends were also filled with different games, sports, movies they could choose to do.

I can have DD pm any of you for more detailed info.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Minor update--I called the gifted teacher since I hadn't heard anything. Turns out, she posts the stuff outside her room, but doesn't send it out to parents since the cost of testing is (in her opinion) high, and she doesn't want parents to feel "obligated" to participate. I can understand her logic--in general, she's a nice lady, mykids love her, but she's got her own style that I think outsiders don't understand. In any event, she sent home the application for testing, orientation is next week--I guess we're in the second "round" of testing, so I haven't missed anything. I'm primarily interested in summer learning opportunities for DD10, although I may consider letting her take the SAT's early, more for the experience than anything.

 

[chris1gill]

Hey BuzznBelle'sMom, We are in the first round of testing December 10th... I saw some of the example questions. Apparently they are geared towards 8th grade students (whereas DS just started 5th).... on some of those questions I really wondered if an 8th grader would know the answers LOL... We'll see how DS does... I'm interested in the summer programs as well!

 

[froglady]

I think it's neat that the Johns Hopkins program identifies the students earlier. Duke doesn't contact them until 7th grade. It would have been nice for DS to have attended something last summer. (if there was something available that he was interested in)

He is taking his ACT on Dec 10th, I hope. I haven't heard back yet. I realized that I hadn't selected a testing site. I know where all of them are, so it isn't really a problem if they choose.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

chris1gill, my DD took the SCATs last January, where she was compared to kids four grades higher (she was in fourth grade at the time). In order to qualify for the off-site gifted program she's in, she had to out-score 70% verbal/50% math, of those 8th graders. Frankly, I was surprised she qualified, just because, well, we knew she was smart, but didn't think she was THAT smart. But tests like these, where you have gifted kids taking them, you want the ceiling high, to see what they can really do. And I know a girl who participated in a Johns Hopkins summer thing, who didn't meet the 70/50 criteria, so I don't think they have to beat 95% of the kids three grades up, the testers are just trying to differentiate between the smart and the gifted. For example, the SCATs only had 50 questions per section, 30 minutes to complete, so getting, say, 25 versus 24 answers correct would make a difference in your score.