fifth grade
Step 1: Talent Searches
This is the year when it is important to make sure that your child has positive attitude toward school. If your child views school very negatively, it will be very hard for them to enjoy extra-curricular academics in the years to come.
Additionally, enroll your child in one or more talent searches. A talent search is a large, nation-wide program usually run by a prestigious university that focuses on enriching young, talented minds. Many of these are regional:
- If you live on the West Coast, in Arizona, or in Hawaii/Alaska, apply to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent Search (CTY). This involves your child taking a test (like the SAT or SCAT) to measure your child's ability. Your scores will not be released if you do not want them to be. However, your student can be recognized (both locally and nationally) if they score particularly well.
For more information, visit cty.jhu.edu
- If you live in the West (namely Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, or New Mexico) sign up for the Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center. (I personally did not sign up for this, so I do not have much firsthand information).
For more information, visit centerforbrightkids.org
- If you live in the South (namely Texas, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma) apply to the Duke University Talent Identification Program. This program (like the Johns Hopkins one) requires testing of the student, but if accepted, also provides additional resources, like Rosetta Stone discounts and counseling. It is a very involved program, and I highly recommend it for those living in the South.
For more information, visit tip.duke.edu.
- If you live in the Midwest (namely North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) apply to the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development. (Again, I was not personally involved with this program, and do not have much information form firsthand experience),
For more information, visit ctd.northwestern.edu.
- If you live on the East Coast, apply for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent Search (CTY). For my opinion, see "West Coast".
* A quick note about CTY: you can apply to CTY from any state. If for any reason you are not happy with your regional talent center or want your student to be involved in more than one program (which I highly recommend), a talented student from any state can apply to the CTY talent search! I highly recommend the program for elementary schoolers (particularly fifth graders).
Step 2: Davidson
Now is also a good time to attempt to enroll your child as a Davidson scholar. The Davidson program is a non-profit organization very focused on helping very bright students. Davidson offers free counseling, summer programs, books, and contact with other students/parents of gifted scholars. Being a Davidson scholar myself, I highly recommend applying for a position in fifth grade, because it is good to have an early start with the program (they stay with you until college!).
For more information, visit davidsongifted.org.
Step 3: AoPS/Beast Academy
Last but absolutely not least, if your child is gifted in math, start frequently visiting the Art of Problem Solving website. THe website includes advanced classes for fifth graders (like Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1, advanced math topics for fifth graders), Math Jams (online live forums where instructors and math experts discuss difficult math problems in a very fun way), and very involved and easy-to-understand textbooks.
I often call this website "the best website in the world." Clearly, I find it a very good use of your time.
For more information, visit (PLEASE!) artofproblemsolving.com and http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/recommendations.php#g5up.
Additionally, for advanced elementary school math students, look into the Art of Problem Solving's Beast Academy. It is a program containing a series of advanced math classes. It is specifically for elementary schoolers; older students will not find it so useful.
For more information, visit http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Store/beastacademy.php and/or beastacademy.com
This is the year when it is important to make sure that your child has positive attitude toward school. If your child views school very negatively, it will be very hard for them to enjoy extra-curricular academics in the years to come.
Additionally, enroll your child in one or more talent searches. A talent search is a large, nation-wide program usually run by a prestigious university that focuses on enriching young, talented minds. Many of these are regional:
- If you live on the West Coast, in Arizona, or in Hawaii/Alaska, apply to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent Search (CTY). This involves your child taking a test (like the SAT or SCAT) to measure your child's ability. Your scores will not be released if you do not want them to be. However, your student can be recognized (both locally and nationally) if they score particularly well.
For more information, visit cty.jhu.edu
- If you live in the West (namely Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, or New Mexico) sign up for the Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center. (I personally did not sign up for this, so I do not have much firsthand information).
For more information, visit centerforbrightkids.org
- If you live in the South (namely Texas, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma) apply to the Duke University Talent Identification Program. This program (like the Johns Hopkins one) requires testing of the student, but if accepted, also provides additional resources, like Rosetta Stone discounts and counseling. It is a very involved program, and I highly recommend it for those living in the South.
For more information, visit tip.duke.edu.
- If you live in the Midwest (namely North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) apply to the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development. (Again, I was not personally involved with this program, and do not have much information form firsthand experience),
For more information, visit ctd.northwestern.edu.
- If you live on the East Coast, apply for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent Search (CTY). For my opinion, see "West Coast".
* A quick note about CTY: you can apply to CTY from any state. If for any reason you are not happy with your regional talent center or want your student to be involved in more than one program (which I highly recommend), a talented student from any state can apply to the CTY talent search! I highly recommend the program for elementary schoolers (particularly fifth graders).
Step 2: Davidson
Now is also a good time to attempt to enroll your child as a Davidson scholar. The Davidson program is a non-profit organization very focused on helping very bright students. Davidson offers free counseling, summer programs, books, and contact with other students/parents of gifted scholars. Being a Davidson scholar myself, I highly recommend applying for a position in fifth grade, because it is good to have an early start with the program (they stay with you until college!).
For more information, visit davidsongifted.org.
Step 3: AoPS/Beast Academy
Last but absolutely not least, if your child is gifted in math, start frequently visiting the Art of Problem Solving website. THe website includes advanced classes for fifth graders (like Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1, advanced math topics for fifth graders), Math Jams (online live forums where instructors and math experts discuss difficult math problems in a very fun way), and very involved and easy-to-understand textbooks.
I often call this website "the best website in the world." Clearly, I find it a very good use of your time.
For more information, visit (PLEASE!) artofproblemsolving.com and http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/recommendations.php#g5up.
Additionally, for advanced elementary school math students, look into the Art of Problem Solving's Beast Academy. It is a program containing a series of advanced math classes. It is specifically for elementary schoolers; older students will not find it so useful.
For more information, visit http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Store/beastacademy.php and/or beastacademy.com