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Anonymous November 18, 2008

How to motivate bright kids who are bored in class?

Anonymous
My son is in 2nd grade and his teachers from pre-school to now have told me he is super bright but can't seem to stay focused in class. He likes to walk around or fidget, or worse, bother other children. He doesn't seem fidgety to me at home and can often focus for long periods of time on things he likes to do (ie. building with Legos, making things with wood, or reading Harry Potter Series). He told me he's bored in class. How do I tell his teachers perhaps his behavior is due to boredom without hurting their feelings? Is there something I teach my son to make him less fidgety in class?
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Parent Answers to "How to motivate bright kids who are bored in class?"

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barnest
barnest April 30, 2009
one idea I suggest is seeing if your child can help other less bright kids when he has finished his work. It takes a degree of maturity but can work well. It also teaches your child excellent communication and problem solving skills. My daughter has done this in years past at 3 different schools. Just make sure it is understood that it is only a small part of class time.
healthy11
healthy11 November 19, 2008
You're not the first person who has faced this situation...It might help to read some past discussions, along with suggestions that might be helpful. Here's one recent conversation: community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/266278/Why-cant-my-child-stay-focused-in-school?cpage=3#comment_266284

I highly recommend reading Susan Winebrenner's book "Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom." (Perhaps you can give a copy to your son's teacher as a gift for the holidays?) Also, I'd like to invite you to join Greatschools Gifted Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11537
YusraAhmed
YusraAhmed November 18, 2008
Well, what I do with my 2nd grade daughter is I made a graph and ask the teacher everyday whether she was a good girl, if she was I'd add a sticker to a spot on the graph and every 20 stickers she gets, I'd get her candy/a present that she'd like, but is also not so expensive. This way she does good in class in order to win the candy/present. This makes them want to do good. Do you know when the conference is, she says that she did not get a paper, but I am not so sure. if you do, please answer the question that asks, because that person would also like to know.

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