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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Ok, let's briefly discuss what "gifted" is, using psychological terms.  It's a child whose needs are so far beyond the norm that placing them among the average is like placing an average child among the mentally handicapped.  It has NOTHING to do with achievement, and EVERYTHING to do with intelligence.

So, having a child that reads 2, 3, or 5 grades above level does not mean that differentiation cannot work.  If your 1st grade child is doing ALL middle school level material, then you're reaching a point where differentiation is beginning to fail.  It still doesn't mean that the child is gifted, believe it or not (though it would be highly likely).

Gifted kids are typically very asynchronous in their development, and can't always be identified based on accomplishments.  Let me give an example of a 1st grader that I know, who is clearly gifted, and whose parents are struggling to find options:

Recites poetry (famous poets) after a single reading, and analyzes its meter, rhythm, and imagery
Otherwise reads at a fifth-grade level (tests as "still developing")
Solves multi-step algebra problems in his head, and can explain a number of fundamental concepts from abstract algebra (college level!) but has not done any prealgebra (beyond self-taught arithmetic)
Reads "Conceptual Physics" for fun, and can explain the concepts with surprising accuracy
Struggles with Social Studies at his own level

Why did he learn what he did?  Because he was bored at school, and his teacher allowed him to bring in whatever reading material he wanted.  That worked for a while, but now both mom and teacher are at their wits' ends.  Other than a gift for music, all of this appeared only in the last year.

For this kid, differentiation is impossible.  Pull-out doesn't work very well, either.  His mom will either have to quit work and home school him, or let him become an unruly terror at school.[/quote]

Sorry, forgot to add: if your kid doesn't sound like this, then stop complaining.  You have options.[/quote]

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