Being Gifted

      There are many advantages and disadvantages that come with being labeled "Gifted". Behind that name are also many myths and truths.
      Being gifted can be very stereotypical. For instance, We are "smart in every subject." Or we "know everything." We "don't need help." This is not always true.  According to National Association for Gifted Children, 61% of teachers don't know how to help us! They don't have the training to assist us therefore, we don't have the opportunity to reach our full potential.
      I must say that there are some good things about being in a gifted class, for example we do get to be challenged. Not to mention getting an extra 7 points on our overall GPA and getting to meet some awesome people.
     Don't get me wrong, being gifted is hard. People expect so much from you, expect you to know everything. Sometimes people put so much pressure on you, because "you know the answer, you're smart, you're in that smart people class." You can and will be used in ways too many to count. We can be  bullied or put down, for being ourselves... for being smart.
     Being followed with the myths and truths of being gifted can sometimes be a burden. Following is a list of misconceptions about Gifted children.

Myths: the following myths are linked to NAGC
 Gifted Children always get good grades: Gifted student may get bad grades due to a lack of interest or to fit in also known as "dumming down"
  Gifted students don't need help, they find everything easy: Just like everybody else these students need to be guided to reach thier full potential.
  Gifted students are all nerds: these students can be sometimes classified as "nerds" but this is also untrue.
  Gifted students think they are too good for "avarage" kids: This statement can be true sometimes, but most of the time that is untrue.
Gifted children get good grades in every subject: this is rarley true. Every gifted student have their stronger subjects or maybe none at all.
They are just like everybody else: weather you want to believe it or not a gifted student is different from every other child. They are stronger in a least one area.

Truths:
Every gifted child has at least one talent: that is how they got labeled gifted.
Is mentally above average child for their age: according to the states definition if a gifted child is gifted if he or she is "above the average"
In the end being gifted can be pretty awesome, but it does come with a price.

Learning Style Test Results

    I took two tests today. They gave me a chance to look at my self in a new way.
    According to the Gardner test I learn Musically. This means that I think in rhythms and melodies. I need things like music playing all the time.
    I also learn Bodily-Kinestheticly. This means I learn through stomatic sensations. (stomatic means physically.) I love dancing (fits me perfectly!) and I learn best with hands on activity.
    Finally I learn Interpersonally, by bouncing ideas off of other people and leading.
    I think this test describes me very well.
 

    The second test was Anthony Gregorc's Learning Styles Test it turned out that I scored 15pts. for each category! I guess this means that I am a Concrete Random Learner, Concrete Sequential Learner, Abstract Random Learner, and an Abstract Sequential Learner all at the same time. (following deffinations from Gregorc's test).
Concrete Random Learner: I learn by problem solving, working out things out, trying out my ideas, and finding things out on my own.
Concrete Sequential Learner: I learn by doing practical things and being told exactly what to do, working logically, and I love when I get things right.
Abstract Random Learners: I also learn by talking to others, using my imagination, using drama, art and music and liking work to be fun and working with other people.
Abstract Sequential Learner: I also like to read and work alone, and organizing my school work.

    This all helps me in school because I know know that I can learn in many different environments/ways so there is no more excuses.
  
  One person I admire is my Mom. I think she learns in a Logical-Mathematical way. This is because she is very good with mental math and puzzles and solving problems. I think she also learns Interpersonally. This is because she likes to lead just like me.
    Another person I admire greatly is my Dad. I believe he works Intrapersonally. This is because he is very to himself when working.
     Finally, I admire my dance teacher. I believe she works Linguistically. This is because when she is very big on describing things to us. I don't think she even realizes she's doing it but she does it so well.

First Post!

My Name is Katherine Narwid.
I am now in 8th grade.
My favorite subject in school is Reading.
My favorite thing to learn about outside of school has got to be new dance moves.
In my free time (which I rarely have) I love to dance.
When I grow up I really want to become a professional dancer. But it is SUPER hard to make it in the professional world, so I would also like to own my own dance studio!
So many things make me happy, (and i know this sounds cliche) but dance, my family, my friends, and when I do something that makes others happy.