Why do so many people equate being "bored in class" with being gifted/advanced?

[Anonymous]

Teacher of the gifted once explained to me why this is a specious argument: Truly gifted children don't get bored. They're always looking for something to do or be interested in.

Bored in class is NOT actually an indicator of being gifted.

[Anonymous]

Then why is there crap ALL OVER THE INTERNET that says boredom can *sometimes* be a sign that a child is not being challenged?

What if a kid is never bored at home because they have the freedom to do, make, explore what they want on their own terms...but...they're bored by hearing the same lessons again and again because that's what a teacher has to do, in line with "curriculum" and making sure ALL students get it?

These DCUM threads sound like a bunch of bitter people that are pissed that their kid didn't get into the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:....They're always looking for something to do or be interested in...

I think this is key. They're looking, but what's being doled out in the classroom is not it...so they seek it out...and sometimes that can be disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Also, if they are asked to sit there quietly qhen they are done and are not supposed to read or doodle, what could they find to on test themselves? Like everything else, a lot depends on the classroom teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. Some gifted children do become bored in class, but that is because their teacher isn't differentiating instruction adequately and providing enrichment tasks or options. Usually "bored" children have learned that complaining to their mothers about being "bored" will redirect their mother's ire/blame for lackluster reports from the child onto the teacher or school.

Yep. That's it. When my straight A, 150+ IQ tells me he is bored, it's because I'm pissed off over all of the As on his report card. You figured it out! Yay for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. Some gifted children do become bored in class, but that is because their teacher isn't differentiating instruction adequately and providing enrichment tasks or options. Usually "bored" children have learned that complaining to their mothers about being "bored" will redirect their mother's ire/blame for lackluster reports from the child onto the teacher or school.

First you say the kids become bored because their teacher isn't differentiating instruction adequately, then you say the kids are saying they are bored to deflect from lackluster reports. Which is it? Hopefully you are clearer with your students.

[Anonymous]

This thread is SO BORING - it must make me a GENIUS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of people on here that claim their kids are gifted or "need" to be in AAP because they are bored in class, regardless of testing scores, reading level or other objective measures.

I don't really get it. Yes, I know that a lot of advanced kids do get bored by slower-paced instruction and repetition. I also know a lot of really advanced/gifted kids that do NOT get bored in class - they just dig into whatever they are learning and find ways to enjoy it, even if it is below their level. Conversely, I've known many kids who are academically average (or even below average) who do get bored ... because they don't enjoy the material, it's not interesting to them - not necessarily because it's "too easy".

Among the groups of kids I know - the ones that are the most academically advanced are the ones that are LEAST likely to get bored. They are love learning, and know how to challenge themselves. Say they have a worksheet of basic math facts, something they already know cold. Instead of saying "I already know this, I'm bored", they will make a game out of it - look for new patterns, see if they can finish it faster than they did last time, something like that. They are intrinsically self-motivated. The kids who simply don't enjoy math are the ones who will take that worksheet and say "this is boring".

I'm not saying that bright kids won't ever get bored, I know that some of them can and will. I just don't get the correlation that any bored kid "must" be academically gifted, or (s)he wouldn't be bored. Am I totally missing something here?

I see your point and agree to a large extent, but, there is a grain of truth to this.

DD can add 7 digit numbers in her head, while the class worksheets have single digit and double digit additions. She did exactly as you suggested, asked me to time her on how many seconds it would take to complete one sheet. She got bored pretty quickly in a little while though. I can see how she can get into trouble in class if given a similar sheet.

I did not set out to teach her math, but in a traffic jam, this the game she likes to play.

Just one example, but you can see how this would play out with kids who are just a bit sharp.

[Anonymous]

PP here. We enrolled in VCU reading class for summer and in the first class, she was assessed as advanced and moved to the next higher level up. After another class, she was moved one more level up.

Dont you think she would get bored with books that are way below her reading level, when she is in class? She got into trouble with her teacher, who thought she is no good.

She fit in pretty well in her AAP class. I am glad that FCPS offers such a program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. Some gifted children do become bored in class, but that is because their teacher isn't differentiating instruction adequately and providing enrichment tasks or options. Usually "bored" children have learned that complaining to their mothers about being "bored" will redirect their mother's ire/blame for lackluster reports from the child onto the teacher or school.

First you say the kids become bored because their teacher isn't differentiating instruction adequately, then you say the kids are saying they are bored to deflect from lackluster reports. Which is it? Hopefully you are clearer with your students.

Find a good dictionary and look up "some" and "usually", and maybe "but" as well. Careful reading is so important! Perhaps you were too bored to read carefully, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher of the gifted once explained to me why this is a specious argument: Truly gifted children don't get bored. They're always looking for something to do or be interested in.

Bored in class is NOT actually an indicator of being gifted.

Sweet heavens. I hope that teacher no longer works with gifted children because it's clear she has no idea what she's talking about. Does she also believe that girls are not good at math? Same sweeping, erroneous type of belief.

My highly/profoundly gifted son was painfully bored in school, not because he can't come up with a way to entertain himself, but because what he wants to do/learn/think about is outside the bounds of the classroom. He had one teacher who understood this and one who very much did not. Go figure that he had a terrible year with the second teacher. She operated on the theory that a child "earns" more advanced work by slogging through work that is well below their level. Way to kill a child's love of learning! Our son was suffering from significant depression in that environment. Switched to a far more challenging program and his boredom disappeared. He now loves school.

I remember being painfully bored in school as well. I was a perfectly behaved angel of a student, but BORED. School finally became interesting enough to pay attention when I arrived in my first honors class. Until then, it was straight As and extreme boredom. Trust me that the testing and academic performance bears out that both my son and I are gifted.

[Anonymous]

I have an advanced degree in English Literature, and I was in gifted programs throughout my high school years. Last week, I reread the Narnia books, and I enjoyed them tremendously, despite the fact that I can actually read at a much "higher level."

I must be really stupid because I sometimes enjoy reading books below the highest reading level of which I am capable. If I were really gifted, I would be bored by anything beneath the standard of the Bard.

Also, I actually sat down and read my DD's copy of Where the Wild Things Are last night after I found it under the sofa. I was fascinated by the way the author achieved an intense, distinctive tone in so few words.

If I were gifted, I would probably be reading The Tempest right now. Anything less would be boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an advanced degree in English Literature, and I was in gifted programs throughout my high school years. Last week, I reread the Narnia books, and I enjoyed them tremendously, despite the fact that I can actually read at a much "higher level."

I must be really stupid because I sometimes enjoy reading books below the highest reading level of which I am capable. If I were really gifted, I would be bored by anything beneath the standard of the Bard.

Also, I actually sat down and read my DD's copy of Where the Wild Things Are last night after I found it under the sofa. I was fascinated by the way the author achieved an intense, distinctive tone in so few words.

If I were gifted, I would probably be reading The Tempest right now. Anything less would be boring.

So what you're saying is that if you are given ONLY the Narnia texts and WTWTA, you're not going to get bored? If you are not given the opportunity to read beyond that level, ever? You're perfectly content and without desire for more?

[Anonymous]

If you are not given the opportunity to read beyond that level, ever?

I cannot imagine any school teacher not encouraging a child to read what he wants to read. I think there may be a teacher or two who discourages this, but I really don't think that is the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an advanced degree in English Literature, and I was in gifted programs throughout my high school years. Last week, I reread the Narnia books, and I enjoyed them tremendously, despite the fact that I can actually read at a much "higher level."

I must be really stupid because I sometimes enjoy reading books below the highest reading level of which I am capable. If I were really gifted, I would be bored by anything beneath the standard of the Bard.

Also, I actually sat down and read my DD's copy of Where the Wild Things Are last night after I found it under the sofa. I was fascinated by the way the author achieved an intense, distinctive tone in so few words.

If I were gifted, I would probably be reading The Tempest right now. Anything less would be boring.

Can we PLEASE stop comparing ourselves to CHILDREN. I'm never bored because my regular life is so busy that I welcome doing nothing. I also have learned to meditate. Children are not at the same level of development as adults, even gifted children. You people!