Gifted Guardian - November 2016
Columbus City Schools Gifted & Talented Family Newsletter
Columbus City Schools Gifted & Talented Department
Email: cboyle@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: www.ccsoh.us/GiftedandTalented1.aspx
Location: 1990 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43211
Phone: (614)365-6626
Twitter: @CCS_Gifted
Reaching Out
Fighting Frustration and Fatigue
Eventually, and hopefully sooner rather than later, the day comes when a lesson is taught that is unknown to the student. It may take practice or the student may make a few mistakes along the way. It may require time to fully develop the work assigned or involve redoing parts to make them better. This can be scary for students if they have not experienced it before. For some, they may panic and ask to be removed to an easier class. Other may say they are "bored" hoping that will lead to a change in the task. Some students may just not complete the work at all, finding it more comforting to get a 0 on an assignment by choice rather than due to making a mistake.
Parents and family members always want to keep their children safe and happy. When faced with this situation, it is tempting to remove the student from gifted services, transfer them to an easier class, provide extra "help" on the assignment, or ask to have the child excused from the task altogether. These instincts come from a place of protection, but they can actually do more harm than good. Rather than helping the frustrated gifted learner, they reinforce the mistaken idea that school should always be easy. It can be a missed opportunity to help our children learn strategies for working through a challenge, demonstrating persistence, managing time, and real-life problem solving that will be required of them as they grow up and experience life.
Rather than help students avoid these struggles, seize them as learning opportunities. Work with the teacher to coach the child in those personal skills needed to prevail. It will be hard, but it gets a little easier each time your child is in that type of situation. You will have the peace of mind knowing that your student has developed the grit needed to survive the world even when you are not there to guide them through a challenge, and your scholar will have the satisfaction of true accomplishment.
For more on this topic, check out the following resources:
- Dr. Sylvia Rimm - High Expectations Encourage Achievement (http://www.sylviarimm.com/article_expectations.html)
- Dr. Sylvia Rimm - Mid-Year Report Cards Reveal Children's Response to Challenge (http://www.sylviarimm.com/article_midyear.html)
- Dr. Sylvia Rimm - The Pressures Bright Children Feel and Why They May Underachieve (http://www.sylviarimm.com/article_pressbrightkids.html)
- Molly Isaacs-McLeod - Motivation: Recapturing the Joy of Learning (http://sengifted.org/motivation-recapturing-the-joy-of-learning/)
Resource Review: CCS Gifted & Talented Website
Summer's A' Comin'!
Families interested in pursuing financial assistance may also begin looking at Support for Talented Students and the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. Support for Talented Students (www.supportfortalentedstudents.org) helps match students to funds donated by community organizations specifically for the purpose of summer enrichment programs. The majority of the group's funds are earmarked for gifted learners in Columbus City Schools. Scholarships are need based, and families can visit the STS website now to check eligibility and submit an application for this summer. The Ohio Association for Gifted Children also offers scholarships for families of gifted learners across Ohio, which may be used for summer programs of other enrichment opportunities throughout the year. Visit their webpage (http://www.oagc.com/scholarship.asp) for application timelines and eligibility criteria.
College Credit Plus Information Meetings
Additional Future Meeting Dates (families only need to attend 1):
- Wednesday, January 11, East High School
- Thursday, February 2, Northland High School
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2016, 06:30 PM
Columbus North International High School, 100 E. Arcadia Ave., Columbus OH 43202
December PACE Meeting
Thursday, Dec 1, 2016, 06:30 PM
Eastmoor Academy High School, 417 S Weyant Ave, Columbus, OH 43213
January PACE Meeting
Thursday, Jan 26, 2017, 06:30 PM
TBD
Gifted Organizations
Columbus PACE
Email: pace@ColumbusPACE.org
Website: www.columbuspace.org
Facebook: facebook.com/columbuspace
Twitter: @PaceColumbus
Ohio Association for Gifted Children
Email: info@oagc.com
Website: www.oagc.com
Location: P.O. Box 30801, Gahanna, OH 43230
Phone: (614)337-0386
Facebook: facebook.com/OhioAGC
Twitter: @OAGCGifted