https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 13:41:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think/page/2#post-422868 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:21:33 +0000 birdofafeather 422868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>hm, i was in a GATE program for reading in elementary and in honors/advanced/AP classes throughout jr high and sr high.</p> <p>GATE wasn't a big deal and we just got to read more, which i loved! i don't even remember how we got into the honors track in jr high, so maybe it was a test? but i know people that did honors for some classes and not for others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421763 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:36:26 +0000 Weagle 421763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, I was in it and LOVED it! It was partly about academics, but there was a strong emphasis on creativity as well. Our school system didn't test everyone though. Teachers had to recommend testing. It wasn't full time either. How often we attended those classes depended on which grade we were in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421510 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:51:21 +0000 ValentineMommy 421510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in it for a few years in grade school. I want to say it was 1-3 grade for me. After that, I was more interested in music than academics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421451 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:28:50 +0000 Honeybee 421451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours was a small group of elementary through middle school kids. Myself and my two best friends were in the program; we met up I think twice a week for an hour or so to work on special projects. It was fun. It felt kind of like skipping school to go hang out and do fun things with your friends, but the teacher was great and came up with some really cool projects for us, so it was mentally stimulating.</p> <p>Our kids will likely be in a private school, and I don't think the schools we're looking at have G&amp;T programs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421376 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:03:01 +0000 Alivoo01 421376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our elementary school had a gifted and talented program, but I don't ever recall being tested it for it. Maybe it was a result of our standardized testing and the top scorers were selected for the program? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421366 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:57:59 +0000 Amelieisme 421366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in a gifted program as well. Not sure when I was placed in it...maybe first or second grade? I lived in Ohio at the time and like @Mrs. Yoyo and we did one day per week, just like she described. I think it was good for us...we had to do a yearly research project and presentation and did things like photography that we would not have had the opportunity to do otherwise. I do think that all children should have this opportunity as well, but I guess in public school it could be difficult just because of large class sizes. </p> <p>The summer before 6th grade, I moved to Alabama and was placed in the program there. It was just one class period per day from 6th-8th grade. I don't really remember doing ANYTHING productive during that time and we mostly just goofed off. So it really is just dependent on the program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421327 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:44:12 +0000 mrbee 421327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dookie32: It's possible to familiarize yourself with IQ tests and prep for them... or alternatively, you can hire a psychologist who is known for giving out higher IQ scores (not sure how that works, but I remember that one psychologist was used by a lot of parents to get their kids into the Gifted &amp; Talented program back in the day!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421318 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:41:20 +0000 LazyLightning 421318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was. I got in on my own merit and it helped me out a ton because school was just SO boring and easy!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421291 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:32:26 +0000 dookie32 421291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in it and it was awesome. During elementary school, we had 1 day during the week that we went to a different school (with other kids from the district). It was a great break from regular classes and the kids I met there did end up being a lot of my close friends throughout my school years. In junior high, it was just a period out of the day and then we didn't have anything in high school. </p> <p>I don't really understand the whole thing about parents hiring their own psychologists and forcing their kids into the program. That sounds crazy. As far as I know, our program was all based on an IQ test so I'm not sure how you could manipulate that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421175 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:52:44 +0000 Kffw 421175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was from 1st grade through 9th grade. I have no idea how selections were made. I absolutely loved it and all the opportunities being in G&amp;T provided me. It definitely set me up for success in life. I had a very close group of friends from my class who were all smart and driven, which kept me away from other bad influences as I got into high school. I'm still close with all my G&amp;T friends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-421086 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:05:26 +0000 MrsSCB 421086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was, but in retrospect, some of the aspects of putting kids in special G&amp;T classes makes me uneasy. I was essentially in all G&amp;T classes (though they weren't specifically called that) for all subjects until in 8th grade when I was randomly put in the second highest math class instead of the only algebra class, which was the highest. My mom called the school and asked them to put me in the algebra class, which they did, and I got all As. Looking back, I'm sure there are a lot of other kids whose parents didn't want to or didn't know they could request their kid be moved to another class who would have done just as well. It just makes me wonder if dividing kids into G&amp;T or tracking them, especially at a young age, just sets up expectations for teachers and for students themselves that may end up shaping their entire academic careers, when things could have turned out differently. For example, if kids start getting put into G&amp;T in first or second grade, what if they're later diagnosed with ADHD or a learning disability that was affecting their grades? By the time they get diagnosed they already have the non-G&amp;T label on them, and they might just kind of be shuffled through the rest of school without being challenged to their full potential. Makes me nervous! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420981 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:52:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 420981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only reason I got into the program in Elementary School (later like in 5th grade) was because it automatically put you on a higher course track when you started middle school. The higher course track of course eventually put me on track to being able to complete some college courses and AP courses while in high school which was great for college applications. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420963 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:17:50 +0000 boiledpnut 420963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was from elementary school through middle school. Our high school didn't have one. I loved it! We got to go on special field trips and got to take "special" classes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420947 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:23:38 +0000 spaniellove 420947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents considered taking me out of private school and putting me in a public school so I could do GATE...my private school offered to let me skip a grade, and in the end I did nothing! But around middle school I did attend one of those g/t summer schools at a college for a few years, which I loved because I finally got to be around other kids just like me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420935 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:14:19 +0000 loveisstrange 420935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember testing in 2nd grade and I started in 3rd grade. My district's program ran through 8th and I was in it the whole time. 3rd-5th, we got pulled out of normal classes for a couple hours a few times a week and we did special projects and stuff. I loved it. :) I was one of those kids who acted out in class because I was always bored and I think GT (They called it "Project Challenge" at our school) helped that.</p> <p>6th-8th grade we were taken out of regular Science, English and Reading classes and put into our own classes that were all gifted kids.</p> <p>In high school, it just went to AP/College/Advanced classes and you had the choice to take them if you wanted. I was lazy and didn't. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA with honors and hardly ever did any homework the entire 4 years.</p> <p>I think it was good for me, personally. I needed the extra challenge. I would allow C to be tested for it and I would put her in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420879 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:58:52 +0000 808love 420879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved it when I was in an everyday class setup. School was so much fun! When we moved I remember being tested and given an option to go everyday or a twice a week class. I chose twice a week because I wanted to be 'regular' and stay in class with my cousin. I didn't like it as much then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420812 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:19:57 +0000 sunny 420812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep I was tested in 3rd grade and got in. To my knowledge very few parents opted to pay for retesting, but hey, what does an 8 year old know!</p> <p>The program I was in was full time through high school. We went to the same school as "normal" programs, we were just in a separate classroom per grade. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420795 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:15 +0000 Dapple Grey 420795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Per my knowledge, no such thing existed except for advanced math and reading circles. There were no special place for kids to go or get pulled out to except " Resource Room" which was if you were struggling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420781 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:47:09 +0000 red_seattle 420781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Throughout school I was in programs like that to the extent that my school had the ability to do it. Like where I went to 3rd grade, there wasn't a program for it, but another kid and I went to a 5th grade classroom for the language arts unit each day. At the next school we were pulled out of our classes once a week, and different teachers just taught what seemed like a fun thing for them to teach... so sometimes it was great, sometimes a total waste (waste= 1 teacher who droned on about his experience in the film industry and had us read 1 play-- we didn't even discuss it, just read it, and then he talked about how he wrote Rocky first but then someone got to a producer before him...).... In middle school they clustered us in some classes, so not everyone in my history class was a GATE student, but most were. In high school, there were some AP classes, college prep, and honors classes we could take.</p> <p> Overall, I thought it was enriching and fun. But like Yo-yo, Nurtureshock changed how I look at it a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420776 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:44:37 +0000 lovehoneybee 420776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was tested and enrolled in kindergarten because my older brothers all were, and I was in it for 6 years, until we moved.</p> <p>I loved it. I was taken out of class M, W and F afternoons. Our lessons were fun and interesting, and we did things like spend the night at the TX State Aquarium after studying the ocean and building huge paper mache castles after reading Ivanhoe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420698 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:58:32 +0000 twinmama 420698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours was just a small group of kids (5 or 6?) pulled out of regular class for a few hours about once a week, if I remember right. We did mostly puzzles and computer activities, and some special projects back and forth with our sister school in Japan. It was interesting enough. </p> <p>The funny thing was that my mom didn't really want me in the TAG program, mostly because of the other parents. They wanted to start a TAG playgroup and she just found it off putting and wanted me to pick my own friends ;)</p> <p>But the teacher I had in 4th and 5th grade just kind of made me a teacher's aide when I finished my work early, and I liked that just as much as the TAG activities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420647 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:34:56 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 420647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was. I took the test in 3rd grade. I still remember one of the questions. It was a big black shape on the page and we had to incorporate into a picture. In elementary school the kids in gifted spent Tuesdays in a separate classroom. In middle school we went to gifted every day during one class period. I loved gifted so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420642 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:33:29 +0000 Andrea 420642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I guess so! I didn't care where I went to school but my mom kept having me test to get into better private schools. I spent a lot of my childhood doing that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420632 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:30:54 +0000 Meridian 420632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My private elementary school didn't have it, I don't think. But my public middle school had a program and I was in it. It was mostly project work and coming up with our own projects... I really loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420624 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:27:46 +0000 mrbee 420624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: Private school is the definition of ambitious parents... so I guess it's not necessary there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420621 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:24:33 +0000 Andrea 420621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is this only for public schools? I've never heard of it until HB, maybe because I went to private school? We had honors track but that started in middle school only. I was in honors and it was good because I would have been bored otherwise. But you took ALL honors classes with the same people so there was no diversity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420506 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:47:10 +0000 mrsjazz 420506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in G &amp; T. I don't remember testing for it, but I guess I did. I was honestly bored in school and completed all the work before everyone in my class and had the highest grades. My school wanted to skip me but my mother skipped grades as a child and thought that was part of the reason she "grew up too fast" so we opted for G &amp; T. I had to switch schools and get bussed out, which I didn't like at first but my new school was amazing and challenging and fun.</p> <p>Our program was called E.S.P. and the other kids in the school would call us "especially stupid people." Oh, kids.</p> <p>I loved the program. It provided me with educational opportunities that I wouldn't have received at my original school. I think if all schools had the money and resources to provide some of the things we received in the program, many students would be better off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420497 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:44:28 +0000 shopaholic 420497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in the program but I really don't remember the testing rounds and my parents were definitely not the type to push me into any additonal programs. It was really fun though I remember! At my main elementary school, we went on a bus to a different campus one day a week like @Mrs. Yoyo: said. I always remember our group having a lot of fun. And we got to do extra, different field trips.<br /> At another school I was there for less than a year, not sure if it was the GATE program also, but I also went to other classrooms for 3 different subjects about 1-2xs a week with older kids. I think I remember feeling better in those classes and more bored in my regular class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420487 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:41:46 +0000 DigAPony 420487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This didn't really exist in my school district. I did have a special reading group in first grade, where a few of us went off with an aide and read more challenging books than the rest of the class. I was also in Math Olympics which was a one day a week program. There was another group called New Horizons which I was not in, so I'm not really sure what they did. All of this was just in elementary school, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-in-a-gifted-and-talented-program-growing-up-what-did-you-think#post-420478 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:35:12 +0000 mrbee 420478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: I don't believe in them either!</p> <p>But I believe that if teachers are told that their students are all gifted... that they'll teach them differently. So in that sense, I think Gifted &amp; Talented programs can have a lot of positive benefits! </p>