Anonymous
10/07/2013 11:05
Subject: AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
"Totally unmotivated super smart slacker" describes my son to a T. He started at a 3rd grade Level IV AAP center this year, although I had reservations about whether he belonged there. (He has an IEP and struggled with behavior and motivation in general ed.)
So far, we have been very happy with AAP. My son has risen to the challenge and is much better about doing schoolwork. He still grumbles, but will do it. I think the work is more interesting to him so he's more motivated.
AAP should not be for merely "good students" who work hard and do what they're told. Some kids have horrible work habits, but brilliant minds. They are utterly bored in general ed, so they act out or tune out. AAP can be wonderful for those kids, like mine.
So far, we have been very happy with AAP. My son has risen to the challenge and is much better about doing schoolwork. He still grumbles, but will do it. I think the work is more interesting to him so he's more motivated.
AAP should not be for merely "good students" who work hard and do what they're told. Some kids have horrible work habits, but brilliant minds. They are utterly bored in general ed, so they act out or tune out. AAP can be wonderful for those kids, like mine.
Anonymous
10/04/2013 19:28
Subject: Re:AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
My oldest was in pool with scores well above the 130 threshold that year. He was not found eligible due I am certain to his lower GBRS (9). We did not pursue further testing due to financial reasons. Later in the year at a conference with his teacher and counselor they both said that in 3rd, I should reapply, that DS would likely mature over the summer, etc. From this conversation I gathered his inattentiveness and impulsivity strongly influenced the GBRS. DS's 3rd grade teacher strongly encouraged us to parent refer, and he breezed in first round with no new testing. It is 100% the right fit. He's in 6th and doing great.
Anonymous
10/03/2013 14:33
Subject: AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am the mother of a totally unmotivated super smart slacker who is in AAP. He tested into the pool and into the program without any intervention on our part. We seriously considered not putting him in the program because we didn't know if he would be able (read: willing) to do the work. Ultimately we decided to go for it because we thought he may rise to the occasion.
So now he's in 5th grade. Socially, AAP is the right place for him. He has good friends and relates well to his peers. But academically he is so the wrong fit for this program, which relies heavily on kids being driven to do well. If he's interested in the subject he is a man on fire, doing all sorts of extras and digging up his own information. But if it doesn't catch his attention, it's like pulling teeth to get him to do even the minimum amount of work necessary. His teachers agree that he can do the work but that he just doesn't want to. And because of the pace that AAP moves, especially math, that means he gets left behind a lot. So we end up needing tutoring to catch him back up when he can no longer keep up with the class.
I don't know that a gen-ed classroom would change his work habits but at least he'd have a better chance of not being left behind so fast. That said, if I had to do it all over again I probably still would choose AAP for him, just because he's so much happier at school now than he was before he started in the program. It's a lot easier to hire a tutor than it is to have a kid who is miserable and lonely all the time.
Believe it or not, there's plenty challenge in Gen Ed. with accelerated courses.
Not for kids like this. My DD is like this and no matter what there is not enough challenging material in the gen ed program for her.
Anonymous
10/02/2013 09:16
Subject: AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Anonymous wrote:I am the mother of a totally unmotivated super smart slacker who is in AAP. He tested into the pool and into the program without any intervention on our part. We seriously considered not putting him in the program because we didn't know if he would be able (read: willing) to do the work. Ultimately we decided to go for it because we thought he may rise to the occasion.
So now he's in 5th grade. Socially, AAP is the right place for him. He has good friends and relates well to his peers. But academically he is so the wrong fit for this program, which relies heavily on kids being driven to do well. If he's interested in the subject he is a man on fire, doing all sorts of extras and digging up his own information. But if it doesn't catch his attention, it's like pulling teeth to get him to do even the minimum amount of work necessary. His teachers agree that he can do the work but that he just doesn't want to. And because of the pace that AAP moves, especially math, that means he gets left behind a lot. So we end up needing tutoring to catch him back up when he can no longer keep up with the class.
I don't know that a gen-ed classroom would change his work habits but at least he'd have a better chance of not being left behind so fast. That said, if I had to do it all over again I probably still would choose AAP for him, just because he's so much happier at school now than he was before he started in the program. It's a lot easier to hire a tutor than it is to have a kid who is miserable and lonely all the time.
Believe it or not, there's plenty challenge in Gen Ed. with accelerated courses.
Anonymous
10/02/2013 08:29
Subject: AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Anonymous wrote:I agree with 08:20 -- there is a large base of educational research on "unmotivated" gifted kids and how they rise to the challenge when with their academic peers.
I agree with this, OP. He's very young to be labeled "unmotivated" but he might mostly be bored by what they're doing in school.
If you don't at least try to challenge him a little you will never know if he would have thrived if given a challenge....
Starting him early in AAP would be better than waiting to opt him in later (if he is qualified). Starting in 3rd will ease him in and he won't feel that he's doing something "different" and "too hard" -- which might be how he feels if you wait and try to put him into AAP in later grades. Start him in 3rd and don't make a big deal of the change, and he will soon see it just as his regular classes.
As for the attention span, it's pretty normal for many kids at his age to have short ones. Have you sat down with his teacher and talked specifically about his attention span? The current teacher could have a good read on whether it seems like he needs evaluation or whether he's just got the same, normal attention issues of any kid in second grade. Teachers can give parents some objective perspective on those things, so ask. If he needs to be evaluated, get it done now.
Anonymous
10/01/2013 12:13
Subject: AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
I am the mother of a totally unmotivated super smart slacker who is in AAP. He tested into the pool and into the program without any intervention on our part. We seriously considered not putting him in the program because we didn't know if he would be able (read: willing) to do the work. Ultimately we decided to go for it because we thought he may rise to the occasion.
So now he's in 5th grade. Socially, AAP is the right place for him. He has good friends and relates well to his peers. But academically he is so the wrong fit for this program, which relies heavily on kids being driven to do well. If he's interested in the subject he is a man on fire, doing all sorts of extras and digging up his own information. But if it doesn't catch his attention, it's like pulling teeth to get him to do even the minimum amount of work necessary. His teachers agree that he can do the work but that he just doesn't want to. And because of the pace that AAP moves, especially math, that means he gets left behind a lot. So we end up needing tutoring to catch him back up when he can no longer keep up with the class.
I don't know that a gen-ed classroom would change his work habits but at least he'd have a better chance of not being left behind so fast. That said, if I had to do it all over again I probably still would choose AAP for him, just because he's so much happier at school now than he was before he started in the program. It's a lot easier to hire a tutor than it is to have a kid who is miserable and lonely all the time.
So now he's in 5th grade. Socially, AAP is the right place for him. He has good friends and relates well to his peers. But academically he is so the wrong fit for this program, which relies heavily on kids being driven to do well. If he's interested in the subject he is a man on fire, doing all sorts of extras and digging up his own information. But if it doesn't catch his attention, it's like pulling teeth to get him to do even the minimum amount of work necessary. His teachers agree that he can do the work but that he just doesn't want to. And because of the pace that AAP moves, especially math, that means he gets left behind a lot. So we end up needing tutoring to catch him back up when he can no longer keep up with the class.
I don't know that a gen-ed classroom would change his work habits but at least he'd have a better chance of not being left behind so fast. That said, if I had to do it all over again I probably still would choose AAP for him, just because he's so much happier at school now than he was before he started in the program. It's a lot easier to hire a tutor than it is to have a kid who is miserable and lonely all the time.
Anonymous
09/18/2013 10:07
Subject: Re:AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Yes, all gifted children do not fit the stereotypical mold of the hard-working, dedicated student. My son learns academic concepts very quickly and is super good at Math but is primarily interested in sports, reading books that HE chooses to read, and video games. Interests and motivation are not necessarily tied to ability.
Anonymous
09/17/2013 18:10
Subject: Re:AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Anonymous wrote:Being an unmotivated slacker has more to do with personality and, well, "motivation," than it does with intelligence or ability. I would put him in the AAP program if he qualifies. If he does not do the work that he is supposed to do in order to stay in the program, then that will be a consequence of his lack of motivation and "slacking." Then he will be placed back in general ed and may possibly be bored and work to try and get back into the program (or maybe not).....Don't know 'til you try.
It's unlikely he would ever be placed back in Gen Ed after being in AAP. It also sounds like he is one of those extremely bright kids for whom the gifted program was originally created. My son fit that profile, and although I'd like to see him more motivated on occasion, he continues to think outside the box and really throw himself into things that spark his interest. Ironically, this has led to a number of state and national awards in tech. Not everyone is achievement-oriented, and sometimes that's a good thing. Lots of creativity comes from those who can't quite handle the treadmill.
Anonymous
09/17/2013 15:42
Subject: Re:AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Being an unmotivated slacker has more to do with personality and, well, "motivation," than it does with intelligence or ability. I would put him in the AAP program if he qualifies. If he does not do the work that he is supposed to do in order to stay in the program, then that will be a consequence of his lack of motivation and "slacking." Then he will be placed back in general ed and may possibly be bored and work to try and get back into the program (or maybe not).....Don't know 'til you try.
Anonymous
09/17/2013 14:16
Subject: AAP for totally unmotivated super smart slacker?
Anonymous wrote:Whether he's in general ed or AAP, he will still be the same kid with the same strengths and weaknesses. It's not as if general ed classes don't have homework, or standards, or expectations that he will have to fulfill.
I do believe that no matter what you choose, your child will be fine. But I'd say go for AAP if he qualifies.[/quote
I agree with this. The study/organizational skills and lack of motivation could be the same either way, in general ed or AAP. At least with the AAP, he will be challenged and learning more advanced material - his output could be the same in either class, but at least the input will be different, if that makes any sense...