Gifted Kids Bill of Rights
Monday February 2, 2009
I first saw the Gifted Kids Bill of Rights years and years ago when my son was young and frustrated in grade school. My first thought was that this document should be posted on the wall of every classroom, and not just gifted classrooms. There are ten rights listed and I thought we might consider one every week for the next ten weeks. Here's the first one:
Those are just two examples of how gifted children are limited. Do you have any examples you can share with us? Click on the "comments" link and tell us about them!
"I have the right to challenge myself. I should realize that my interests and my thoughts are valid and should be pursued. If you don't limit me, I'm less likely to limit myself."Gifted children are often held back from pursuing their interests and their desire to learn. I've known gifted children who were reading grade levels above their classmates, but who were not allowed to check out books from the library that were for any grade but their own. I also heard a parent who refused to allow her child to check out a science book from the library telling the child, "You can't read a science book now. You're going to study science in school next year."
Those are just two examples of how gifted children are limited. Do you have any examples you can share with us? Click on the "comments" link and tell us about them!
My daughter has had that right violated since kindergarten. She is now in grade 3 and is being homeschooled. She actually lost math skills in kindergarten and has been told in school that she cannot read books above her grade level, even though she was assessed as reading a grade 6 level in grade 2. Fortunately at home that limitation is not enforced.
Sorry, I forgot to add in my previous comment that I totally agree with having the Gifted Bill of Rights posted in every classroom. I have learned from my experience with my daughter that there is little understanding, empathy, attention or resources that are there for bright or gifted children.
I agree. When my daughter was in 1st grade she was evaluated to be reading at 6th grade level. Her 1st grade teacher refused to give her reading credit for Old Yeller as it was way above her classes reading level. The way the school is doing things causes a child that is eager to learn to lose that momentum by Jr High when they do get into the challenging classes.
I wish this had been posted at the schools I’ve attended! When I was in 1st grade, for instance, I was reading at an 8th grade level. It was almost an entire year before my teacher convinced the librarian to let me read books above my grade level.