Here is what Adam gets now: he and two other kids (all boys) are doing the school district's 8th grade math book in a corner of a classroom while a regular 6th grade math class goes on. They work pretty much on their own. Next year, when he goes to junior high, he will have the option of taking freshman algebra at the high school. He likes this idea, but will it be good for him socially? Might it be better to get him a tutor who could take him to number theory or wherever he is able to go? I just don't know.

Amy, is the 8th grade text he's using basic mathematics or pre-algebra? If it's a basic mathematics book, he may find algbra too difficult. He needs those pre-algebra concepts. If it's pre-algebra, is his teacher testing the material he and the others are covering? Do you have concrete knowledge (for your own purposes of decision making) that he is mastering this material? Unless he has truly mastered it, another year of pre-algebra would probably benefit him. Algebra is difficult for freshmen and e en more so for younger students. My daughter, Diana, is also gifted in mathematics. She took algebra in the 8th grade and found it a challenge. She made good grades, but she was very frustrated because she is accustomed to perfection. Finally, realize that state mandated tests usually only measure what students have mastered according to state curriculum guidelines. Last year, when your son (presumably) took the 5th grade test, it showed that he had mastered what the state thought that every 5th grad r should learn. Two of the three children I have in school are in gifted programs. It has been extremely frustrating to me to see how frequently they are bored by school. Their teachers, even though my children have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) which specify that they be pretested and excused from reviewing material that they have already mastered, are never provided with any material which is challenging to them. I am a licensed teacher (middle grades specialist) and I know that teachers have limited time an resources but these are my children, dammit, and why aren't these teachers doing more to challenge them!!! (sorry, I had to vent a little!)

Glad you vented, and glad to hear your opinion, Margaret. Or do you prefer to be called Meg or Meggin? What he is doing looks like algebra to me. He is even solving for two unknown variables -- something I found I could not remember how to help him with.

Margaret is what I am usually called--Meggin is only my aol name.... It sounds as though he is in a pre-algebra book. If so, he is probably fundamentally ready for algebra. What will happen to him in the 8th grade if he takes algebra in the 7th grade? Will they have another high school level math class for him? Or will he be in mathematical 'limbo' for 2 years because he has maxed out of what his school offers?

Good questions. I guess I should find out "what will become of him." Sort of like Eliza Doolittle after she's given position because of her speech but it leaves her out of all practical employment. What sort of program is your daughter in?

Specifically for math, I mean. You said she is your math geek.

In our school system, gifted students are in a program called PASS (Program for Academically Superior Students) which is really misnamed because it has IQ score (minimum 130) as a criterion for admission to the program. It really only applies to students up to 8th grade and is mostly literature based. Since students in high school can choose a schedule which challenges their talents, the program is not available at the secondary level. When Diana was in the 7th grade, she participated in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. TIP recognizes 7th grade students who score exceptionally well on the ACT or the SAT during their 7th grade year. She received state-level recognition for her score on the ACT math section. The best part of this program is the advantage of taking college entrance exams when they don't count for college and practicising for when it does. Students are recommended for this by their school guidance coun elors in the fall. TIP also will provide you with newsletters and info about challenging summer programs (sometimes costly) in your area. Diana retook the ACT this fall, at Duke's suggestion, and had an increase in all scores. Currently in the 9th grade, she is taking Honors Algebra II, Honors English, Latin I, Biology, World History, and JROTC. She is finally being challenged, but loves studying (a true nerd) and is still making high A's.

I'm no expert, particularly when it comes to schools and school systems, but my $0.02 about "How far to push gifted kids?" is "not much." The important thing is to show interest in the things they are interested in, to help them overcome hurdles they may encounter, and to enjoy them for who they are. IMHO, nothing is more important than healthy self-esteem, as trite as that may sound. Gifted kids can be a challenge in many ways, but they are also a real joy.

Amy, what did you and your son decide about math this year?

-- "How far to push gifted kids?" is "not much." Yes! -- The important thing is to show interest in the things they are interested -- in... Exactly. I've got a daughter on the way, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to instill in her the joy of learning for it's own sake. My mother did it for (to?) me, something for which I am/will be forever grateful, but she doesn't know/remember how she did it. Any suggestions?

don't let her near me?

Ah, she'd probably just break your heart. After she gets through with mine...

imagine that...as to the second, think that'll be a never ending process after awhile...

Enthusiasm is contagious...my kids have always thought of learning as a big adventure. We look stuff up all the time, on the map, in the dictionary, every question leads to more questions--it's great! I don't know how "gifted" they are, but we're sure having a good time.

sounds like they're pretty gifted to me...

That's because they came from my "quality" eggs, wer! ;-)

*lol*

I'll have to come back and re-read this one as my daughter started Kealing this year.

I have only read the initial few pages of posts, however I thought I might offer my advice here. I scored in the 99th percentile in my ISTEP test both times I took it, and according to the state of IN, have an IQ of 168, which is not supposed to change throughout life. As of today (2007), I am 28 years old. Because I did so well on my tests early in school, my teachers recommended that I skip at least one grade if not two if I chose to. Regrettably, in my third grade year I thought my friends were more important than finishing high school early. Looking back, I wish my parents would have insisted or at least very highly encouraged me to skip a grade or two, given the choice. Fast forward to 18yrs... Instead of taking a loan for college related living expenses at IU, I decided to live with my parents and commute to IUS (New Albany), due to my parents conservative, anti-debt philosophy. I don't like debt either, but I know now that I should have went away to school. I chose the Computer Science field which is an extremely rare case. In this field, experience + certifications = 4yr. degree in Computers. as far as possible earning potential. So, despite my extreme thirst for learning new things, my parents have talked me into settling for a Associates degree, full time job in my field and no debt, while saving for a healthy down payment on a house of my own. I probably won't return frequently to this site, so if anyone has any questions for me, please get my email from the site owner if necessary.

So, in other words, push your kids as far as possible. Don't MAKE them do anything, but tell them how it would be a waste to take for granted gifts and tools already at hand and how someday they will regret not going as far as they possibly could.

Thanks y'all for the great content about gifted kids. Were you gifted as a child? directed to Frost, shizali sounds very gifted indeed.