Hi all,
Thanks for another great class. I really appreciated everyone stepping up and preparing presentations and articles with the short week's notice. Thanks to everyone for their outstanding participation during each week. You will have fun and learn a lot from each other during your program. I hope that the class has been valuable, that you were able to learn a lot and that you will become better teachers because you were able to apply some of your learning. I know that I have learned much from you all. I hope that this class has helped you realize that your students are coming to you with every conceivable background and that you can make a difference. A favorite saying of mine is, "They may not remember what you teach them, but they will always remember how you make them feel." Taking the time to really get to know your students and meet their diverse needs will teach them a lot, but more importantly, it will make them know you really cared. They will remember that.
This week's blog entry is to write your thoughts on the article I passed out at the end of the class. You don't have to write a ton. I think anything equal to Ray's last entry will suffice. :-) OK, if you don't write quite as much that is fine.
Thanks again and best of luck to you all.
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Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteThanks again for a fun class. Here’s what I thought about the article. This part in particular really stood out to me: “It has become more important for schools to identify deficiencies than to cultivate gifts.” With no-child-left behind we spend a lot more of our energy trying to bring all students up to grade level. Shouldn’t students be allowed to excel at their own level? Shouldn’t they also be encouraged to explore and develop their interests/talents?
My niece is starting kindergarten next year and will be in a K-2 classroom. This will stretch her both academically and socially. Maybe this would be a good option for students who are above grade level in school? This way, students could be grouped more by abilities than age. It will be interesting to see how she does.
Have a great weekend! Caitlin.
“Are We Failing Our Geniuses?”
ReplyDeleteThis article brought to my attention many ideas that I had not previously considered regarding educating the gifted child. After reading this article, I agree that there is a general lack of awareness and understanding regarding the education of gifted children.
I found the statistic that we spend 10 times less nurturing the academic needs of gifted children than those with learning disabilities surprising. I had never considered the amount of money spent on education for students with learning challenges vs. those achieving at a level well above the average. I disagree with the author’s statement that suggested we should focus on those students with the greatest potential. As an educator, I feel we should focus not only on students who excel, but also on those who are challenged. All children should be aided and encouraged to reach their full potential.
We need to be proactive about encouraging the “limited resource” of gifted students rather than holding them back. I am interested in looking more deeply into the idea of “grade skipping”. I currently have a couple students who could potentially benefit from this. The idea of not allowing gifted students to press forward leading them into a feeling of isolation and underachievement is alarming. The last thing I want to do as a teacher is snuff out that spark for learning by not allowing a kid to climb higher. I had no idea that gifted students drop out at the same rate as non-gifted kids.
Although gifted children may excel academically, they may struggle socially. I found it surprising that the extra intellectual ability of bright students dramatically hinders their social interactions. I can see basis for the idea that “intellectual precocity fascinates but repels”. It’s hard enough for kids to fit in and get along with each other without adding another element like extra intelligence to make them feel as if they stand out.
It is important to consider the fact that allowing gifted children to facilitate the learning of those struggling is not in the best interest of the high level student. It is important to allow high level kids to interact with each other and build their intellectual muscle in learning even more together. I can understand their feelings of being left out in an inclusion classroom when there is not another student around that can be related to or think like them. This would support the idea of individualizing tracks of learning for these students when they have already quite possibly mastered the curriculum of a specific grade level. Challenge is important for everyone.
-Darla
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to think that we are failing our geniuses. As I read the article I kept thinking about the video Cailin showed us about cultivating creativity by Ken Robinson. He suggested that we need to change the educational system to educate our kids' whole being. We need to make sure that all kids are reaching their potential, even our geniuses. I'm not a big fan of skipping grades. Even if Annalisee from the article skipped three grades she would still be ahead of most of the students academically. I can't imagine she would have an easier time making friends with students that are three years older. I'm hoping in this digital age we can discover ways for geniuses to take on-line courses that are challenging but have the opportunity to remain in a classroom with their peers. See you Tuesday.
-Diane
Interesting article…
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement, “ our education system has little idea how to cultivate its most promising students.” I think we do a really good job, considering everything teaching has become today, of educating the students that fall within the “normal’ range of intelligence. I also think we adequately take care of students with learning disabilities. School districts spend a significant amount of money trying to meet the diverse needs of these students. Where I think we fall short is developing IEP’s for our most advanced students. It is not enough to acknowledge that even though they may be bored, it’s ok because their intellect will carry them forward. I think that these students deserve special math, music and physics “aids” I think they deserve extended services as well—they should be bused to advanced classes, and provided tools that advance and challenge them.
Back to the article, “American Schools spend more than 8 billion a year educating the mentally retarded… We spend no more than 800 million on gifted programs.” So essentially that’s $ 10 for disabled students to $1 for the gifted students. In my opinion, the ten dollars is well spent; those kids need the extra services. But, let’s not create a system of discrimination and double standard. The gifted students need the extra guidance just as much. Their “disability” manifests itself differently, but they are no less in need of assistance. I don’t understand, as a culture, why we can’t figure this one out.
See everyone on Tuesday!!
Ray
Hello Everyone,
ReplyDeleteSkip, way to handle the phone book! I appreciated all your guidance and have learned a great deal, thank you!
As for the article, “Are We Failing Our Geniuses”, I found many interesting points. I have always believed that our educational system has focused on the average and lower achieving students, thus leaving out the very bright. I am not sure if there is a perfect solution, but making people aware of these issues will help.
Grade skipping is hard for me because I am not so sure children are ready to interact with classmates on the same emotional level. However, they need to be challenged. I was a little shocked at the 10:1 ratio of spending. I think we have to try and help the upper range of students or at least put more time and resources into helping them achieve their full potential.
Amy
I hope everyone had a great week. It’s amazing how quickly this class has gone. I’ve loved all of the information everyone has shared from their research and in our discussions.
ReplyDeleteAre We Failing Our Geniuses?-- Interesting article Gary.
I thought it was really interesting that the gifted students and those with IQ’s lower than 50 comprise about an equal proportion of our student population. I also didn’t know that dropout rates are the same for the gifted and the nongifted of around 5% for each. That seems like a clear statistic with a great message of needs that aren’t met.
From the article you can see how NCLB has really come into play with the above statistic. I think it’s wrong and sad that brilliant children so dissatisfied with school dropout. I also think that if we are going to satisfy the needs of our students it is good to ensure that they meet high standards, but that it’s wrong to limit the pacing of when those standards are met.
However, I don’t know what I think about skipping someone several grades in an elementary or middle school setting. Kids grow and change so quickly, but their bodies, emotions, and life skills take time to develop. It seems that, from the article, a lot of social needs are also being unmet for gifted kids. Even at the Davidsen school it discussed how the kids feel alone while interacting.
I agree with the ending of the article where it states that gifted communities and schools should try to keep their children by making accommodations for them both in academics and social skills. It is clear that these children have unique social and emotional needs that need to be met. I don’t think because they are gifted that they should miss out on their childhood and their family. Right now I like the idea of clustering students by ability.
Oops, I forgot to put my name on my post.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Thora
We are not as quick to add our replies as we used to be. :) Everyone must be busy. Jessica and Skip, I hope that your program was fantastic last week! I am sure that it was.
ReplyDeleteOkay, about Gary's article.....I thought that this was a great statement "You know, I would love to be equal to Michael Jordan in my basketball talents, but somehow I never will be." That is an excellent way to state it. We want all our children to succeed and be equal, but in reality they are all different and have different potential. This article brings up some good points to think about.
It's interesting/sad/peculiar to think about the way that IQ tests score in regards to African Americans and girls. What in the world? I will have to research to see why that is....I don't know enough about that at the moment.
My last thing that I found in the article to NOT be surprised about was that at the Davidson school the kids were okay with team sports, but preferred the rock climbing because it's an individual sport. I actually thought, "Now, I can see that!" I suppose that it could be that these students really don't have too much experience in working with each other and probably don't depend on others too much. Interesting....I am the complete opposite!
See you all tomorrow! :) Jill
It is true Jill, some of us aren’t as quick to respond; however, I am not sure if I ever was! This week has been very busy for me, we just finished a week worth of moving and any free time has been limited, or more so, nonexistent.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the article was very informative. Like Caitlin, the statement that really caught my attention was: “It has become more important for schools to identify deficiencies than cultivate gifts.” Doesn’t this create a self-destructive system, which sets many students up for failure? It is our jobs to help students find their gifts. It we are so driven to pass tests and meet standards, what does that mean for the learning process? What does that mean for fostering the love of learning? What does that mean for creativity and thinking outside of the box? It is important to have goals. It is important to achieve to high standards, but it is also important to spread the love of learning and to teach students how to be independent motivated learners. All students are gifted. We need to find the treasure that is hidden within.
Melissa
I am going to use a new excuse geared toward the digital era "I didn't blog because.. my toddler hid the mouse!" It is an excuse, but it is true. How lost we are without our mouse these days!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed our discussion on gifted students and the article challenged my thinking even further. I have been pondering how to best reach this special group of kids and I am thankful for all of the suggestions that were brought up last week.
The article focused on the issue of grade skipping as if that was the only option. I think that if they were so intelligent the parents should have explored other options like the ones we discussed in our class. Certainly Annalisee would benefit from an independent study project with a small group of gifted students working with clear expectations set by the teacher.
I also believe that while skipping grades may be a great option for academic development social development or the aquisition of emotional intellegence may suffer. In the past as I have worked with the parents of gifted children they are most concerned with how their child is getting along with the other children in class or if the child is showing value in their charachter development. I have faith that all children will be reached and challenged if we are all aware of the needs and the resources we have to reach the needs of each student.
See you tonight!
Donna
I am the last one this week! Time surely escaped me! This has been a wonderful class and I look forward to sharing with everyone again tonight you have made learning and sharing a great time.
ReplyDeleteSkipping grades is tricky. You are taking these kids out of their peer groups and although they have a high IQ they are still kids. I understand why schools are hesitant but them when you look at those statistics of dropout rate something needs to change!
My brother-in-law skipped grade and he wishes he never did! He says it made him an outcast; he was never able to excel in sports because his age was younger than those around him and he was not as mature. He blames skipping grades on messing up other parts of his social life with peers.
My question is there a compromise? Can theses kids go to school at their grade levels for the social part of school and then take excelling classes the other ½ of the day. I don’t know the solutions but something obviously needs to change.
-Melanie