Posted by Heather Cachat
Homeschooling a gifted child: We know one-size does not fit all gifted children, including their educational environment. Considering homeschooling, at the beginning of it, or are you looking for ways to supplement your child's education? This is the core of our first chat of the year, and I'm honored to have Corin Barsily Goodwin join us! She is the Executive Director of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (http://giftedhomeschoolers.org). Corin was involved in homeschooling many years before beginning GHF, presenting workshops and writing articles on giftedness, learning differences and homeschooling topics. Corin is also co-author of two books with Mika Gustavson Making the Choice: When Typical School Doesn’t Work for Your Atypical Child and Writing Your Own Script: A Parents' Role in the Gifted Child's Social Development.
I love the beginning paragraph of the GHF About Us page; especially the first sentence. "While schools serve a critical role in our society, not every school is the right fit for every child." As educators we know that gifted children are the most varied population we serve. They truly are the "one-size does not fit all" type of student. When student needs are such that a family needs or chooses to homeschool, I'm glad Gifted Homeschoolers Forum is available to help families. Even within the homeschooling community it can be difficult for gifted families to find each other.
#ohiogtchat is sponsored by the OAGC Teacher Division, and though traditionally a division of school teachers, it is important to recognize a growing trend in our population - more parents are homeschooling their gifted children. It is so easy, as a teacher of gifted children, to feel the pull of "taking it personally," but this is not personal. At the end of the day, when everything's said and done, it is what is best for the child.
This week's chat explores how we can understand this trend from the parents who have walked this path. What can we learn from them, and can we, educators, still make a positive difference in their lives.
Questions are based on the book Making The Choice: When Typical School doesn't fit your Atypical Child by Corin Barsily Goodwin & Mike Gustavson
1. There are so many experiences that lead up to a decision to homeschool. What are some defining moments that pushed parents into the decision to homeschool? How do parents feel about choosing to homeschool?
2. A parent may not, at first, be able to pinpoint what is atypical about their child. What are some possibilities?
3. Meeting the needs of a gifted learner is our goal, but it is important to recognize that their needs can be very diverse. What are some red flags parents and teachers should watch out for?
4. What are some educational alternatives parents could turn to? Do some families continue to work with the school even after they are technically homeschooling?
5. How can parents make the transition smooth? And what are other considerations? What does homeschooling look like today?
Homeschooling a gifted child: We know one-size does not fit all gifted children, including their educational environment. Considering homeschooling, at the beginning of it, or are you looking for ways to supplement your child's education? This is the core of our first chat of the year, and I'm honored to have Corin Barsily Goodwin join us! She is the Executive Director of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (http://giftedhomeschoolers.org). Corin was involved in homeschooling many years before beginning GHF, presenting workshops and writing articles on giftedness, learning differences and homeschooling topics. Corin is also co-author of two books with Mika Gustavson Making the Choice: When Typical School Doesn’t Work for Your Atypical Child and Writing Your Own Script: A Parents' Role in the Gifted Child's Social Development.
I love the beginning paragraph of the GHF About Us page; especially the first sentence. "While schools serve a critical role in our society, not every school is the right fit for every child." As educators we know that gifted children are the most varied population we serve. They truly are the "one-size does not fit all" type of student. When student needs are such that a family needs or chooses to homeschool, I'm glad Gifted Homeschoolers Forum is available to help families. Even within the homeschooling community it can be difficult for gifted families to find each other.
#ohiogtchat is sponsored by the OAGC Teacher Division, and though traditionally a division of school teachers, it is important to recognize a growing trend in our population - more parents are homeschooling their gifted children. It is so easy, as a teacher of gifted children, to feel the pull of "taking it personally," but this is not personal. At the end of the day, when everything's said and done, it is what is best for the child.
This week's chat explores how we can understand this trend from the parents who have walked this path. What can we learn from them, and can we, educators, still make a positive difference in their lives.
Questions are based on the book Making The Choice: When Typical School doesn't fit your Atypical Child by Corin Barsily Goodwin & Mike Gustavson
1. There are so many experiences that lead up to a decision to homeschool. What are some defining moments that pushed parents into the decision to homeschool? How do parents feel about choosing to homeschool?
2. A parent may not, at first, be able to pinpoint what is atypical about their child. What are some possibilities?
3. Meeting the needs of a gifted learner is our goal, but it is important to recognize that their needs can be very diverse. What are some red flags parents and teachers should watch out for?
4. What are some educational alternatives parents could turn to? Do some families continue to work with the school even after they are technically homeschooling?
5. How can parents make the transition smooth? And what are other considerations? What does homeschooling look like today?