This was first published in 2009 on a dusty old blog of mine. Oh, yes; it's that time of year. One wrought with anxiety and maybe a few tears--and not just for us parents of highly gifted children. When I said to one of my boys with the best of intentions, "Who knows maybe this will be an exciting year?" we looked at each other and started laughing. But we're all off to a decent start. My 11-year-old came home excited on two occasions: one ... [ Read More ]
Choosing a Private School for Gifted Kids: That Time I Gave up on Public Education
This was originally published with the title Giving up on Public Education: Private school provides a haven for gifted kids—and their parents in Chicago Parent circa 2005. I did not choose the headline, which I found to be cringeworthy. I believe in public education. It's the backbone of our democracy. But it doesn't always work out as parents might hope. And, in fact, on a nationwide basis, public schools generally do a poor job of educating our ... [ Read More ]
Books Make Great Gifts
I don't have to convince Maker Mom readers that books make great gifts. I want to share a handful of books that have passed through my office lately. I purchased some of these, picked up others at my local library and a few were sent to me for review. I hope to share projects from the Maker books in the coming weeks. This post contains affiliate links. Breakthrough: How one Teen Innovator is Changing the World By Jack Andraka and Matthew ... [ Read More ]
Advice for Parents of a Gifted Kindergartener
Here's what happens when someone asks me to share advice about her gifted kindergartner, a child who is not quite fitting in with his classmates. I can't just share five great tips, even though that would be a lot more friendly to search traffic. I carry so much educational baggage that I have a long, rambling response. Here goes. Advice for parents of a gifted kindergartener With my oldest in his senior year of high school, I’ve been doing a ... [ Read More ]
What if Special Education Students got Gifted Education Treatment?
When I first saw this post, What if Special Education Students got Gifted Education Treatment, in my Facebook feed I thought, "They're asking the wrong question." After reading it, I see what they did. It's a must-read for parents of gifted kids. Bonus if you can convince teachers or school administrators to read it. I'm so very glad to have the K-8 years behind us. I will assure you as I was once assured, it gets better in high school. This ... [ Read More ]
Gifted Kids and Skinny Dipping in the School Pool
Did you see this article on gifted education in a recent issue of the Boston Globe? Though oddly titled, it did a good job of making a case for why the needs of gifted students should be a national priority. Here are a couple of the money quotes: Even among Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth participants, the Vanderbilt researchers have previously found that those who weren't challenged in school were less likely to live up to the ... [ Read More ]
Smart, But Socially Awkward
Have you ever thought, My child is smart but socially awkward? I've got some reads for you. Check out these old posts on gifted education and parenting gifted children. Sadly, when it comes to public education, the situation for gifted kids and high-ability students hasn't gotten any better since my boys were in early elementary school. And when I hear talk from educators about the expected "rigor" of common core meeting the needs of gifted ... [ Read More ]