-
How to Find Help to Identify Gaps in Gifted Math Learning
I know it seems silly to say, but I sometimes wonder if my academically gifted child has gaps in learning. But the reality is, I do worry about that. This is especially true in math. Since he’s working 3 to 4 years ahead of his “grade/age” level I wonder if the speed at which he’s working is skipping over areas that he might be missing. That’s why finding math help is essential for smart learners, so gaps can be identified and work on those areas can be practiced. I am being compensated for my time in writing this sponsored post, I received used of the Knowre online math app for free.…
-
Web Resources for Parents of Gifted
Did you know that being a parent of gifted learners is not easy? In fact, sometimes it’s incredibly hard. I used to think something was wrong with me because I just couldn’t understand why my child acted so differently from other children his age. I mean, I knew he was smart. But, it seemed so strange for a 3 year old to write in perfect cursive without being taught to do so. And, what 6 y.o. reads encyclopedias for entertainment? Those things… are just… well, weirdly, yet excitedly, different. Right? And, the emotional differences were far different, and I simply didn’t understand it. I used to feel so very alone. I used…
-
Art Supplies to Keep on Hand for Creative Thinking Kids
My son has always loved to draw. Which is why I always try to keep art supplies on hand for him. From the earliest ages as soon as he could grasp a pencil he began drawing nearly everything he sees. For years we kept a stockpile of paper from office recycling bins. We had friends donate to us boxes, and boxes of office paper because he had an insatiable need to draw. He’d literally go through reams of it far faster than you can imagine. As if keeping him supplied in the paper was enough! The same is true of crayons, colored pencils, and pencils. He used them down until…
-
6 STEM Gifts for Smart Kid Middle Schoolers
If you’ve been around Great Peace Academy before you know my son loves all things science, technology, engineering, art, and math. In other words he loves STEM activities. Below I’m sharing 6+ STEM gifts for kids who are enthralled by these areas of learning. His mind is constantly active and it’s hard even for him to fall asleep at night because he’s always thinking about engineering, or drawing something. Even when he’s processing an activity he’s whistling, humming, snapping his fingers in rhythm because his active, creative mind simply must have an outlet for the many prolific thoughts that are zooming through his brain at any given moment. Finding something…
-
How to Expand Gifted Learning Opportunities on a Budget
Being mom to a child with gifted learning abilities can be so frustrating when your family lives on a tight homeschool budget. Because we have chosen homeschooling for our son’s education the entire responsibility for educating our learner is on us. Knowing that he has an insatiable thirst for more and more knowledge I’m constantly feeling behind the curve, as if I’ll never be able to fill the cup. Add to that the family’s tight budget and I’m constantly feeling as if I have to balance fulfilling his need to learn with what we can and can’t afford to do. That can be so frustrating because I want to provide…
-
A New Find: Excellent Language Arts using Great Literature
Language Arts Study for Gifted Students As we enter what I consider to be our 8th grade year of homeschooling, I’m beginning to realize that my son continues to need increasingly challenging work. Each year it becomes more and more apparent that he needs differentiated learning opportunities in every subject matter. Yet, I find myself always gravitating to more challenging math and science, and steering clear of challenging him in other areas, like language arts. I think the reason is because for years he has balked at anything that related to writing. Oh, he’s very good at grammar, handwriting, and understanding how to edit material. He just simply has never…
-
10 Homeschool Games to Inspire the Absorbent Mind
Absorbent Mind Development through Homeschool Games One of the best ways to educate is through the use of games. Whether it be through board games, card games or hands-on fun games a child can learn through active play. The absorbent minds of children makes homeschool games the ideal way to learn. Critical thinking, life role-playing, decision-making skills,not to mention, math, reading and creative thinking skills, can all be developed through homeschool game play. Game play can take the pressure away from learning, and make for a fun rainy afternoon. Or, when it’s so hot outside you could fry an egg. Oh wait, that might be a super fun experiment as…
-
Finally an Online Course that Challenges a Math Mind
To say that it’s difficult to challenge my math gifted son would be an understatement. From a very early age he has progressed through math as if he has some hidden foreknowledge of how it’s all supposed to work. For him, it just clicks. Over the years I’ve tried various challenge math options, bought published printed materials for gifted children as well as tried a variety of online math programs that I had hoped would allow him to explore math in a way that challenged his mind. Typically, he will figure out those programs or lessons quickly, progress rapidly and then get bored and will not want to continue. Disclosure:…
