Highly Gifted Centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am concerned about the potential for a lot of school work. Anyone know what it's really like?

Varies from day to day. Sometimes less than 30 minutes, sometimes (like last night) close to an hour and a half. Usually less than an hour a night. Also time on weekends for long term projects.

I agree. When there is more of it, it tends to be project work, which my son loves and which engages him.

There isn't really more work than in the regular classroom IMO - just different, enriched work.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the name of the test the kids took in January as part of the HGC application process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the name of the test the kids took in January as part of the HGC application process?

COGAT

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of homework. A lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of homework. A lot.

How much is a lot?

[Anonymous]

Could you guys comment on the testing? Is it the same amount that the other kids have? We're from a private school and just got into HGC for 4th/5th. Thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you guys comment on the testing? Is it the same amount that the other kids have? We're from a private school and just got into HGC for 4th/5th. Thanks for your help!

Why does it matter?

[Anonymous]

I can comment on testing...they do take the MSA in the 4th and 5th grade, but they don't spend time doing prep work for it during class, since these are the kids who tend to do well on such tests. That's a pleasant change for the kids...for these kids the MSA preparation is a waste of time (they do take one prep test a few months before the MSA, but that only takes a few hours, at the most)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of homework. A lot.

How much is a lot?

There is a lot of homework, especially if in the lower grades and 3rd grade they had little to no homework.

There were times last yr (in 4th grade) that my DS spent 1 1/2 hrs. a night doing his homework. Much of that was due to time management...initially they get a lot of homework in almost all subjects and they have to learn how to manage their time. Also, it takes a while to get used to the teacher's standards...his teacher would take off for the smallest things (since they are trying to teach how to follow directions) like if he didn't double space, as was asked in the instructions, etc.

Once the kids catch on it gets better, and they tend not to make the same mistakes again. But expectations are definitely much higher than they were previously. And in a good way (as in the kids are finally challenged, learn how to manage their time, and actually find some of the assignments difficult!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can comment on testing...they do take the MSA in the 4th and 5th grade, but they don't spend time doing prep work for it during class, since these are the kids who tend to do well on such tests. That's a pleasant change for the kids...for these kids the MSA preparation is a waste of time (they do take one prep test a few months before the MSA, but that only takes a few hours, at the most)

And to add to my earlier comment, these are the kids that usually help pull up the entire school's test scores. I don't mean to say that kids not in the HGC don't do well on the MSA, it's just that many of the HGC kids tend to score in the high percentiles, thus upping the average score for the school.

[Anonymous]

Lots of homework. Think about how your kid is. for some, I can imagine the homework time would be less. Mine has perfectionist tendancy and anxiety issues with making decisions. This can make the homework take an extreme amount of time. On the other hand, it's homework she wants to do. It's interesting and she's never once complained. I'd do it again. Although, some nights it's 3-4 hours of homework. We were told 2 hours per night when we went to the orientation, and I didn't believe it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I just got mine today.

You type well for a 3rd grader.

The letters are actually addressed to the parents, are they not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can comment on testing...they do take the MSA in the 4th and 5th grade, but they don't spend time doing prep work for it during class, since these are the kids who tend to do well on such tests. That's a pleasant change for the kids...for these kids the MSA preparation is a waste of time (they do take one prep test a few months before the MSA, but that only takes a few hours, at the most)

Thank you!! My kid is one of those who I think would come to hate taking tests all the time.

19:02, Happy to hear there is lots of homework and that your kid loves it. That is my only complaint about our current school. I don't think my child is a perfectionist. (I was, had to have everything written out perfectly. For DC as long as the work is done and is right, it's enough.) Anyhow you guys are making me excited about the program. Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP, especially those with perfectionist tendencies can spend a lot of time with the homework, both with daily assignments and projects, because the projects have many steps to them and often involve many smaller projects in one. The perfectionists try to make these...perfect and sometimes lose sight of the big picture.

My DS initially was stumped by a lot of the writing assignments, since he never had to write much before. He had to actually analyze the books, stories, poems etc that they read, not just regurgitate the plot, and this was difficult for him. That being said, he is now much better at all of that and his skills have really improved (as his 5th grade teacher has assured us).

And we are very glad he was at an HGC...it has really stimulated him and he has never once complained of being bored. I think 4th and 5th grade at his old school would have been a waste of time.

(don't know about the implementation of Curriculum 2.0 at the HGCs, since next year would be the first year. That has been discussed on another thread)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PP, especially those with perfectionist tendencies can spend a lot of time with the homework, both with daily assignments and projects, because the projects have many steps to them and often involve many smaller projects in one. The perfectionists try to make these...perfect and sometimes lose sight of the big picture.

My DS initially was stumped by a lot of the writing assignments, since he never had to write much before. He had to actually analyze the books, stories, poems etc that they read, not just regurgitate the plot, and this was difficult for him. That being said, he is now much better at all of that and his skills have really improved (as his 5th grade teacher has assured us).

And we are very glad he was at an HGC...it has really stimulated him and he has never once complained of being bored. I think 4th and 5th grade at his old school would have been a waste of time.

(don't know about the implementation of Curriculum 2.0 at the HGCs, since next year would be the first year. That has been discussed on another thread)

Can you point me to that thread or summarize? Will they still be advanced in math?