What else am I missing? New to the gifted scene...

[momsuz123]

Hi all,

This is my second year hsing. I knew my older dd (9) was strong academically, but found out how much she really is this year with some testing. She is very verbal, and is a really strong reader too, loves most anything to do with school and learning. I finally feeling like I am meeting her at her level with some things - but probably not enough.

 

I feel like I am trying to keep up to find all the great resources for her out there. For example, I enrolled her in Athena's Academy this semester - she loves it. If it weren't for this board, I would have never known about it. Thank you. Then the Duke TIP thread showed up - and again, I never heard of that either - it looks great. Then someone added a thread about the insect lore - yep, never heard of it. I just feel like...I am missing out on some educational opportunities that maybe I should have know about.

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Any advice - input?

[StartingOver]

There are so many things out there, I read signatures then ask about new things. I have been at this a long time, but curriculum is ever changing. New stuff all the time. If what you have is working, the grass isn't always greener. You will soon see a lot if challenging curriculum.

 

Insect Lore is cool.

 

Edited because of Kindle auto correct. LOL

[Bang!Zoom!]

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

[momsuz123]

Thanks - I know this is a journey. We are really enjoying it so far, but my gosh, there is just so much out there that looks awesome. It seems like with some parents, they were doing "research" about gifted programs,etc while their kiddos were much younger. Here I am at 9 trying to get "caught up".

Any other awesome ideas out there, please speak up. Thanks so much - I am learning so much from you all.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

I second the Hoagies Gifted link that one*mom posted. It is a very useful place to start. Duke TIP, NUMATS, Johns Hopkins all have gifted and talented programs you can look at as well. Hoagies will have some information about them and others.

[Dmmetler]

It's also good to keep in mind that each DC is different. My DD LOVES competitions and has no test anxiety, so she does a lot of competitive programs where she has to sit and take a test, and enjoys them because it's a chance to be with other smart kids. For other GT kids I know, that would push them over the edge emotionally. Parents of GT kids, like any other parents, are prone to second guess themselves and make life harder on themselves. So I'm just going to tell you-Don't! Your DD hasn't changed just because she now has an official label.

 

I will also say that while we've found specialty GT programs, like Athena's, to be good, we've also found that just by following DD's interests we get some of the same effect. It may mean that she's the one kid in an adult group of herpetology enthusiasts, but she's still got a chance to feed her brain and follow her interests. It doesn't necessarily take an expensive writing class for GT kids, for example-you may find a local bookstore has an author's circle that would welcome your DD bringing her work in progress and sharing it with the blue haired little old ladies who have always wanted to write a book-and that those little old ladies might end up being good friends ;).

[lisabees]

I will also say that while we've found specialty GT programs, like Athena's, to be good, we've also found that just by following DD's interests we get some of the same effect. It may mean that she's the one kid in an adult group of herpetology enthusiasts, but she's still got a chance to feed her brain and follow her interests. It doesn't necessarily take an expensive writing class for GT kids, for example-you may find a local bookstore has an author's circle that would welcome your DD bringing her work in progress and sharing it with the blue haired little old ladies who have always wanted to write a book-and that those little old ladies might end up being good friends ;).

 

:iagree: More than finding online "gifted" programs, follow your dd's passions. And, yes, she will likely find a group of adults that she relates to better than kids. DS13 attends astronomy club meetings with the majority of folks being over the age of 60. He loves it. :) Most gifted kids are passionate, if not obsessive, about something. If you tell us about your dd's interests, we could probably give you some better ideas!

 

Have fun!

[momsuz123]

It's also good to keep in mind that each DC is different. My DD LOVES competitions and has no test anxiety, so she does a lot of competitive programs where she has to sit and take a test, and enjoys them because it's a chance to be with other smart kids. For other GT kids I know, that would push them over the edge emotionally. Parents of GT kids, like any other parents, are prone to second guess themselves and make life harder on themselves. So I'm just going to tell you-Don't! Your DD hasn't changed just because she now has an official label.

 

I will also say that while we've found specialty GT programs, like Athena's, to be good, we've also found that just by following DD's interests we get some of the same effect. It may mean that she's the one kid in an adult group of herpetology enthusiasts, but she's still got a chance to feed her brain and follow her interests. It doesn't necessarily take an expensive writing class for GT kids, for example-you may find a local bookstore has an author's circle that would welcome your DD bringing her work in progress and sharing it with the blue haired little old ladies who have always wanted to write a book-and that those little old ladies might end up being good friends ;).

 

 

Thanks - excellent advice. I should add that the reason we did do testing was that we were trying to sort out a few things. She was showing some anxiety with some things, and well, her behaviour was just off. The last time she acted like that was when she was in school and was bored. I had thought I was keeping her challenged, but after the testing, I realized she was not be challenged enough at all. By adding Athena's, it has really helped so much. That's why I feel like I am trying to find out what else is out there that I am missing. She really flourishes with certain programs/curriculum. I just need to keep finding some that fits her interests.

 

She is a big history buff - she will do Athena's Greek Mythology next year too. She loves science - and loves to read. Her abstract reasoning skills were extremely high, so I am trying to figure out what area of study could I find that would tap into this strength she has. Some of the basic straightforward curriculum bored her to tears - now I feel I know why.

 

Hope this is still making sense. I get the grass isn't greener and all - just that we haven't had much green grass on our side to begin with! :laugh: Now with finding Athena's and adding a few other things - the grass we are on is getting green.

 

Thanks all.

[lisabees]

Some ideas that may work. Your dd is probably very resistant to busywork. Lots of discussion will work.

 

Ellen McHenry's programs

Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts products (known as MCT around here)

Deconstructing Penguins (book about literary analysis)

Classical House of Learning

Guest Hollow free curricula

MEP math

Education Unboxed videos

Connect the Thoughts

Cornell Dept of Ornithology Bird Count

Search for nmoira and eliana and abbeyej's book lists on the boards

Logic - Prufrock Press, Tin Man Press, Critical Thinking Company, thinkfun

Chess and other board games and puzzles

Hands on Equations, Patty Paper Geometry

check out Ruth in NZ's posts about science (lewelma)

AOPS's Beast Academy

DD9 loves SciGirls, Design Squad, Bang Goes the Theory and anything Brian Cox (especially his Wonders series)

Salsa Spanish or another language

lots of audiobooks - Watership Down is a fave :)

 

We watch tons of documentaries - love BBC. Has your dd checked out Liberty's Kids, Time Warp Trio, Magic School Bus, Wild Kratts or Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?