Gifted Classes - What do you think?

[ReignOnU]

So I'm interested in hearing some opinions on this. Maybe I'm blinded by my bias, but I think my sister-in-law is an idiot...

My nephew (5th grade) has been offered to join the gifted program at school. My SIL has notified the school and told them that she does not want him involved in it. She gave them some vague reason. The real reason, so she claims, is that she thinks that there is too much workload and that there isn't enough of a long term advantage to have him in the program at such a young age. She believes it will take away from his opportunity to be a kid and have fun. Unlike his older brother and younger sister, he's not involved in a lot of sports. His only extra-curricular is Boys Scouts. For years, he's been fascinated by nature. He likes to find insects and such out in the woods and capture them and enjoys random stuff like that.

Aside from his personality, I think it's a huge mistake to not enroll him. The critical thinking skill development is a huge advantage. But it also seems to align perfectly with his personality/interests. I haven't breached the subject with my other side of the family (tons of teachers) yet, but I'm pretty sure they would side with me here.

I'd love to hear from any teachers on your thoughts... or anyone in general.

[Whittness10]

All my classmates that were in the AP classes like chemistry, calculus, etc. went on to be very very successful to this point in their lives. I don't see any reason to not enroll in the program. It's something to put on college applications that could help get him in to a better school, and maybe scholarships.

[jsence2]

I was in a program in Indiana as a child called AASIP (I think, Peay can probably confirm), and it helped me immensely. I was ahead of the curve in my classes already, but the program helped me develop further my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. I went to a summer camp for a week where we worked on building rocket ships to protect eggs on landing, learned about a few individual countries, and played trivia games--and this before the internet was a thing, so I cannot image how much more advanced these programs are now.

The people you meet, the things you get to do, they are sometimes unique and not something you can do anytime. A child can "be a child" anytime, things like this might not come around for them again, and taking advantage of the program could spur him into a field he hadn't considered, or simply help him develop a bit more as he looks to future education.

[Uuaww]

I didn't do any AP or advance classes until high school.


Also sucks at sports and likes plants.... this sounds like a young version of me.

[ajalves]

Gifted in 5th grade really isn't necessary. If they are being challenged in class then its all good. Nothing wrong with it though.

as they go on in school its a better idea

its a better in middle in high school because they will tend to get better teachers when in programs like IB, honors, avid or gifted.....anything that separates you and gets you in classes with better teachers and more importantly better kids

[texasfan4444]

Gifted in 5th grade really isn't necessary. If they are being challenged in class then its all good. Nothing wrong with it though.

as they go on in school its a better idea

its a better in middle in high school because they will tend to get better teachers when in programs like IB, honors, avid or gifted.....anything that separates you and gets you in classes with better teachers and more importantly better kids

I'm in this camp...minus the first sentence. There isn't anything that would make me think that moving him into a gifted program before Middle School would be a adverse move. (Unless, hes already stressed with his workload and this would put him over the top. )

I would think the move before MS could make for a smoother transition next year whether he decised to continue in the program or not.

[dakshdar]

From personal experience I disagree with not going into the gift program.

My education levels went like this (for background):

K-2 at "Elementary School" (~25 students at each grade level)
3-8 at "Middle School" (~25 students at each grade level, same district as Elementary School)
9-12 at "High School" (~170 students at each grade level, combined 3 school districts into 1)

In 2nd grade they started the "Gifted and Talented" (GT) program and I was in it with 5 other students. When we graduated high school together years later, the six of us were in the top 15 of the class of 170. I think it had a huge impact on creative thought, critical thinking, problem solving, and working on a variety of projects that you wouldn't normally have access to in the regular school curriculum.

Now maybe the six of us from the GT program would have ended up in the same honors classes and AP classes in high school and been near the top of the class regardless, but who really knows. I can't see how any negative could come from the program though. Any student identified to be in the program, in my estimation, would not suffer from the additional work as they're likely already fast with their work as is.

[ReignOnU]

Thanks for the input.

The impact on creative thought, critical thinking, problem solving, etc is really why I feel it's the right move. I think Jason made an excellent point that I didn't think of, with it potentially being an opportunity to see/do things that the normal kids may not be allowed to do.

[GeorgesGoons]

programs like IB, honors, avid or gifted...

IB, is that International Bachelorette? My son's grade school and now his middle school are IB schools, also believe his HS will be the same. What's the advantage of IB over tradional schools, from a teachers perspective of course?

[ajalves]

programs like IB, honors, avid or gifted...

IB, is that International Bachelorette? My son's grade school and now his middle school are IB schools, also believe his HS will be the same. What's the advantage of IB over tradional schools, from a teachers perspective of course?

yes

The IB programs at our local high schools the kids graduate with their AA degrees among may other things

[LetsGoPeay]

I was in a program in Indiana as a child called AASIP (I think, Peay can probably confirm), and it helped me immensely. I was ahead of the curve in my classes already, but the program helped me develop further my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. I went to a summer camp for a week where we worked on building rocket ships to protect eggs on landing, learned about a few individual countries, and played trivia games--and this before the internet was a thing, so I cannot image how much more advanced these programs are now.

The people you meet, the things you get to do, they are sometimes unique and not something you can do anytime. A child can "be a child" anytime, things like this might not come around for them again, and taking advantage of the program could spur him into a field he hadn't considered, or simply help him develop a bit more as he looks to future education.

Yeah, that's what we call the retard programs here.

[jsence2]

I was in a program in Indiana as a child called AASIP (I think, Peay can probably confirm), and it helped me immensely. I was ahead of the curve in my classes already, but the program helped me develop further my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. I went to a summer camp for a week where we worked on building rocket ships to protect eggs on landing, learned about a few individual countries, and played trivia games--and this before the internet was a thing, so I cannot image how much more advanced these programs are now.

The people you meet, the things you get to do, they are sometimes unique and not something you can do anytime. A child can "be a child" anytime, things like this might not come around for them again, and taking advantage of the program could spur him into a field he hadn't considered, or simply help him develop a bit more as he looks to future education.

Yeah, that's what we call the retard programs here.

Oh God, so funny. Please stop, can't take it.

[Seeitsaveit13]

Thanks for the input.

The impact on creative thought, critical thinking, problem solving, etc is really why I feel it's the right move. I think Jason made an excellent point that I didn't think of, with it potentially being an opportunity to see/do things that the normal kids may not be allowed to do.

All of this. I was in the gifted program and it was very helpful. The critical thinking and creative thought aspects are key. There wasn't a stigma around it and it helped challenge me further when I was "bored" etc. She should rethink

[sixpackdan101]

I was in a program in Indiana as a child called AASIP (I think, Peay can probably confirm), and it helped me immensely. I was ahead of the curve in my classes already, but the program helped me develop further my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. I went to a summer camp for a week where we worked on building rocket ships to protect eggs on landing, learned about a few individual countries, and played trivia games--and this before the internet was a thing, so I cannot image how much more advanced these programs are now.

The people you meet, the things you get to do, they are sometimes unique and not something you can do anytime. A child can "be a child" anytime, things like this might not come around for them again, and taking advantage of the program could spur him into a field he hadn't considered, or simply help him develop a bit more as he looks to future education.

Yeah, that's what we call the retard programs here.

Hahahahahahaha I was waiting for someone to throw this out there.

[jsence2]

I was in a program in Indiana as a child called AASIP (I think, Peay can probably confirm), and it helped me immensely. I was ahead of the curve in my classes already, but the program helped me develop further my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. I went to a summer camp for a week where we worked on building rocket ships to protect eggs on landing, learned about a few individual countries, and played trivia games--and this before the internet was a thing, so I cannot image how much more advanced these programs are now.

The people you meet, the things you get to do, they are sometimes unique and not something you can do anytime. A child can "be a child" anytime, things like this might not come around for them again, and taking advantage of the program could spur him into a field he hadn't considered, or simply help him develop a bit more as he looks to future education.

Yeah, that's what we call the retard programs here.

Hahahahahahaha I was waiting for someone to throw this out there.

If you spent any more time on my sack, I'd have to charge you rent

[autiger730]

Your SIL is an idiot, especially if the school system has a good program. Gifted was great when I was in elementary school. Then the teacher retired and they handed it off to the art teacher because they got rid of art and needed somewhere to put her. From then on, it didn't benefit me much at all. In HS we met once a week for about 20 minutes, so it was pretty worthless. If nothing else, it good on a resumé. My daughter is in gifted (has been since kindergarten) in the same school system I was in and the teacher over it now does a great job.

[ReignOnU]

I think we found someone to beat her over the head with the logic bat.

My stepmother-in-law (not related to my SIL), has spent a few years teaching the program to jr. high kids. She reached out to her and I think she's going to change her mind. At least I hope so.

I'm 99% sure this was based on her being a lazy ass and not wanting to take on extra work at home. Really disappointing.

[dakshdar]

If her kid is truly gifted, he may out pace her ability to even help with homework very soon.

[ReignOnU]

If her kid is truly gifted, he may out pace her ability to even help with homework very soon.

This is a very real possibility. I mentioned it to my wife this weekend.

[sixpackdan101]

I was in a program in Indiana as a child called AASIP (I think, Peay can probably confirm), and it helped me immensely. I was ahead of the curve in my classes already, but the program helped me develop further my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. I went to a summer camp for a week where we worked on building rocket ships to protect eggs on landing, learned about a few individual countries, and played trivia games--and this before the internet was a thing, so I cannot image how much more advanced these programs are now.

The people you meet, the things you get to do, they are sometimes unique and not something you can do anytime. A child can "be a child" anytime, things like this might not come around for them again, and taking advantage of the program could spur him into a field he hadn't considered, or simply help him develop a bit more as he looks to future education.

Yeah, that's what we call the retard programs here.

Hahahahahahaha I was waiting for someone to throw this out there.

If you spent any more time on my sack, I'd have to charge you rent

Sorry, have we had any interaction whatsoever in the last 2 years? Aside from you being on the verge of tears threatening to hack me because I had a sick 360 no-scope straight to your dome or because I lifted your car on top of the skyscraper in grand theft auto I mean (stuff that any normal person would not care about).