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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Something that always strikes me is the laser focus on math and reading when people talk about their gifted children being challenged.  Those are only two classes in school.  
I have a hard time believing that even the most gifted child still knows the entire science, social studies, art, music, PE, and guidance curriculum.
DS is in the top reading group in first grade and he's not really "challenged" with the vocabulary/sight words.  But his writing assignments are very open ended, so his teacher and I encourage him to do more than just a sentence or two.  
He also this year, in his regular run of the mill public school (Maryland, but not MoCo) has learned about migration patters of the monarch butterfly, the life cycle of stars, perspective in architecture and art, the bones of the body and how his muscles work together, how to read music notes, etc.  
So sure, he's not challenged in reading.  Big deal.  And there are certainly some kids in his class that already knew the life cycle of stars (one in particular knows more about space than most NASA employees I think), but there is enough new stuff going on that kids are always learning SOMETHING.

So why the exclusive focus on math and reading levels?  Why doesn't "challenge" count if a child has to work hard on making the painting perspective correct or learning how to read music?[/quote]

Mom of the non-challenged but happy 5th grader here. This is exactly right. There is lots to school other than reading and math that children can still learn, even if it's not especially challenging for them to do so. I remember when my kids were younger I would read them children's science books and there was always quite a bit that I didn't know, or had learned at one point but forgotten. [/quote]

Maybe because art and music is only two hours a week? They spend countless hours on reading and math. It could get boring fast if those are not challenging enough. If they allow those kids who are above grade level to do more in arts and music, I will be all for it. [/quote]

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