| "To me, education is a leading out of what is already | | | | allowed to flourish scholastically. In both cases, once |
| there in the pupil's soul." | | | | these brilliant youngsters were given a channel to fully |
| Muriel Spark | | | | manifest their gifts they now sit with a new |
| The past experiences of two beautiful daughters | | | | perspective or a renewed interest in academics. |
| illustrates this inspirational teaching quote perfectly. | | | | Reaching children really isn't so difficult once you |
| Case #1: | | | | ascertain where they are in their education and how it |
| A sensational little girl in Michigan had lost motivation in | | | | is they PREFER to take in information. Are they visual, |
| her school work. Her mother was quite aware that | | | | audio or kinesthetic learners? Combine this bit of |
| she was very bright but needed suggestions in | | | | information with a little creativity and ANY child can |
| assisting her to confidently express her competencies. | | | | perform above their grade level - if it's just ONE grade |
| After making use of accelerated assignments, this | | | | in advance. |
| darling little genius realized that an advanced concept | | | | Generally, many parents aren't aware that a curriculum |
| (three grades above her level to be exact) was within | | | | takes into account the capability of an "average" |
| her realm of ability. That day, her dad received a | | | | learner. Therefore it is quite conceivable to improve or |
| rather enthusiastic call at work from her - shouting | | | | even accelerate a child once a parent invests just a |
| about her latest accomplishment. | | | | little, concentrated effort. |
| Case #2: | | | | I Challenge You To... |
| The second young phenom had already been identified | | | | Pick out one exciting way to enrich academics in your |
| as an accelerated learner from a teacher some time | | | | child's life. Here are some suggestions:o DVD |
| ago. This child was so talented, a teacher had offered | | | | (Standards Deviants; Schlessinger Media Series; BBC |
| to work with her personally. However, since contact | | | | Shop; Bill Nye;)o Electronic Educational Enrichment Toy |
| was lost, this gifted learner was left to fend for herself | | | | (V-tech; Leap Frog; Fisher Price)o Museums, science |
| in her new classroom and she too lost her drive. Her | | | | or nature centers in your communityo A theatrical play |
| parents quickly made arrangements for her to receive | | | | based on literature with which your child is familiar or |
| the resources necessary to get her back on track. | | | | literature that you intend to encourage your child to |
| She did and as a result of spending time with people | | | | read outside of the classroom.o Participation in a |
| who reflected back to her who SHE truly was, she | | | | children's book club |
| now has aspirations of early college enrollment. | | | | These are just a few to get the ball rolling! Remember, |
| These are examples of what can happen when the | | | | it only takes a few minutes out of the week and as |
| essence of a child has been reached, nurtured and | | | | always - have fun with it! |