Laura in STL Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I haven't posted to this forum before, but frequently visit the k-8 and logic stage boards. I haven't had either of my two children assessed specifically for giftedness, but suspect that both are at least in certain areas. My oldest, ds11, is very good at math. We are using Singapore on grade level (just finished 5A&5B in 5th grade), and he finds it pretty easy. He is able to self teach most of it. There is an opportunity in our area to apply for a position in a program for gifted math students. This is defined as 98% in math and 95% in reading on standardized testing, which ds meets. I'm trying to decide if we should go through the application process which includes a three hour out of level test. Does anyone have experience with an enrichment program for gifted kids? I'm not crazy about using labels, but this could be a chance for him to be challenged by good math teachers and a curriculum designed for gifted middle schoolers. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I used the Elements of Mathematics books in the MEGSSS program (math education for gifted secondary school students) when I was in 7th/8th grade. It was a seriously good program. The CSMP materials are very similar (some overlap). IMACS holds the rights to the books now. It depends on the program - and the teacher. If I could get my son into a program with a teacher like the one I had those two years, I'd be seriously looking into it... his allergies would be the only thing that would potentially hold us back. (Now if it were the teacher for 9th/10th... I wouldn't bother ;) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in STL Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 The MEGSSS program is the one we are interested in for him. I need to find out how much outside work is involved, too. He is in many extracurriculars already, so I don't want to overwhelm him with homework! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 (edited) When I was in it, it was my school math program. It is excellent. We did formal logic, set theory, and formal algebra (didn't see that again until third year of my math undergrad!) Since it was school, it was also the normal amount of additional homework. I don't recall anything too onerous. If he's interested, I'd give the program a shot. It was really excellent. Just noticed that you're in St Louis. I spent time on their boards while trying to track down the books. It looks like a good program they've got. Drop current math and toss him in if you can (from what I've seen of their site). Edited July 8, 2011 by Dana Added last bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in STL Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks for the information! I think I will call their office with a couple questions and get the process started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Dana, I've been wondering (and sorry for the hijack) -- did these books completely replace a school mathematics curriculum or were they supplemental? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 For 7th & 8th in the MEGSSS program, we only used the EM books. They are excellent. When I found the series (available through IMACS now), I bought them all. Unfortunately, I can't get any of the tests, which I also remember as being very good - not just regurgitation of material, but thought out questions taking you a bit deeper. I haven't decided if I'll use the books with my son after finishing PM 6 in a few years, or if we may start some of the books early, or if I'll use AoPS more. :glare: We had a different teacher for 9th & 10th (I moved in 10th, so don't know what was used after that). We used traditional textbooks at that point and had a truly dreadful teacher. The St Louis program looks good from what I've seen. I'd love to toss my son in it - but we're nowhere near there. I don't know if the IMACS classes use the EM texts or not. The online stuff they have doesn't look the same from what I could tell. We also don't live near an in-person location there. There is still a MEGSSS program here... but not in the district we're zoned for. It looks like they do a combination now of the EM books and traditional texts. I know the EM books are weak on additional practice. I remember our good teacher supplementing with extra worksheets for factoring and I know I did extra practice when solving linear equations too. The books did an excellent job of getting me to see multiplication as a scaling relationship and I really understood slope. We worked through most of Book 0 (separate books, each a "chapter") and all of Book 1 and 2 (Logic!). I am certain I'll use Books 1 & 2 with my son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 spam reported (reyth45) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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