[My2miracles]

Hey are you still around? How's the new job going?

[FandJsmomma]

Kris,
Thank you for asking!! I am still here.. The new job is going great. I am always tired though. I knew that would happen as I always give it all at work and this **** disease I live with just doesn't like that very much. We need to meet up sometime!

I had posted this question on a facebook gifted private board and thought I would ask it here too.

I need help.. Frannie (8 yrs - second grade) made a comment today that bothered me. She said she isn't smart and that EJ (6 yrs - kinder) is much smarter than her. After discussion ,she said that all the kids in the afterschool program pay attention to him and the work he is doing and not to her. They are both at a fourth grade level in math. They are both gifted..her GAI is 132 and his is 139. How do I build her confidence?

I forgot to add:

I have a meeting with the principal on Monday morning. I want to plan ahead for next year for EJ. I wish our district wasn't so anti acceleration/grade skip

[shari626]

I wish I had some really good advice for you. I am hitting road block after road block this year. I am really starting to hate school in general.

[BensMom]

How do I build her confidence?

How boring would the world be if everyone was great at math, but no one could do poetry? (There would be no Dr. Seuss, no songs on the radio, and a lot less romance!) What if everyone was great at climbing but no one could swim? (We'd all over-populate the mountains and never experience the beach.)

Have her point out all the things SHE can do that are great, and also have her point out all the things she's not so great at. Show her famous people who have little-known talents (like, Pat Sajak from Wheel of Fortune used to be a meteorologist and has a brilliant mind). If you teach the Bible, point out the fact that God gave each of us different talents, and that He doesn't make mistakes.

[My2miracles]

Glad the job is going well. Ironcially, as of end of day Friday, I will now be unemployed. We definitely have to meet up. I have a feeling the kids will get along fabulously. Lucy really needs to find kids that are more on her level intellectually. I'll pm you my info.

As far as the confidence thing, that's my biggest struggle with Lucy. She is gifted (although not tested) but has a vision disability. So her intelligence isn't reflected in her test scores at school. But the minute you speak with her, you can see she's not like other kids her age. Her newest friend is a 15 year old, her other friend is 12. She is 9.

Lucy is getting better with her confidence. It's been a huge challenge though. One thing that has been good for her is dance & gymnastics. She's great at both & it has help build her overall confidence.

I talk to Lucy a lot about being different. How the people who are truly exceptional & successful as adults are different. I use Bill Gates as an example

[FandJsmomma]

I spoke with the district gifted director today. EJ will receive services as a first grader. I am hoping they will use the IAS with him for a grade skip (I have asked for the skip in writing). That being said, our district feels that the gifted program (formally starts in grade 2) and the magnet school (third grade for the top 1-2% of kids) are sufficient and therefore they don't believe in grade skips or subject acceleration. Based off his WISC scores from December, he will qualify for the magnet.

[BensMom]

I'm glad they're willing to at least do that much. I know a lot of schools offer absolutely nothing for gifted students. Hopefully you'll be able to get them to listen and actually look at the IAS. They need to be open minded!