My Gifted Class is a "Blow-off" class

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It is now fourth quarter here, and my teacher mind starts to think, brainstorm, and plan for next year.  What great units can I create?  How can I challenge my already-gifted students?  Since my middle school gifted-education class (it is called SPECTRA in my district) is merely an elective (insert sarcasm here), I talk to my students about how they would like their SPECTRA class to look in the upcoming year.  Many tell me to omit the seriously crazy and in-depth independent research project - sorry kids, not going to happen.  Others tell me they need more puzzles and projects that let them work and create with their hands and not use sooooooo much technology - that, I can adapt into my units as a student choice, though the technology isn't going anywhere.  Some want more time to work in teams and others want to do more work themselves.  I run the entire spectrum of gifted personalities in my classes, and I am sure to meet many more amazing personalities in the coming years!

What really got under my skin this week, and hurt my sensitive feelings, was when one of my students was talking about next year and said, "You know Mrs. Wittmus, your class is really just a blow-off class.  That's why I take it."  I guess I must have looked shocked and hurt (and I was definitely feeling those things), because he quickly backtracked and said he liked me as a teacher because I am super-nice, and he liked my class because it was fun and really easy - therefore, a "Blow-Off" class.  He was just being honest, ya know.

His words felt like a slap across the face - I have spent so much time and energy painfully choreographing every unit, every lesson, every goal and objective to not only align with NAGC standards, but to provide challenges to a population of students who don't regularly see challenge in their general education classes.  I painstakingly designed my assignments and projects to give my gifted students what they needed - a learning experience, dammit!!!

Now, I am an internalizer and I mull over daily details and conversations that don't sit right with me - sometimes wondering what I could have done differently.  I replay them over and over in my head and try to find solutions to give me peace - and maybe a good night's sleep.  As I processed our conversation and his words, I began to reflect - because in the fourth quarter of the school year (or at any time, for that matter), you can't plan for the next year unless you reflect on what you have already done.  

Reflecting on my first year as the gifted education specialist at my middle school, I had to reflect less on the big picture of the year as a whole this time, and clearly play and focus on the highlight reel of this particular student's journey in my class.  

He came to me as a quiet student who liked to fly below the radar.  He didn't seek attention for himself - just wanted to be left alone so he could play games on his phone.  Some of his teachers were surprised he was gifted and came to me for verification of this fact - to which I whole-heartedly assured them he was and to not to let him fool them!  Anything I asked of him, he'd shrug his shoulders and say, "I don't know," hoping to get out of answering questions or even making eye contact with me..  However, thinking through the passing months, I have seen him race others to my class to be the first one there and jump into whatever project he was working on at the time, help and mentor younger gifted students in his class (I have split 7th/8th & 6th/7th grade classes - SIGH - I know, but that is for another blog post).  When he earns a great grade, he is loud and shows everyone, "BOOM!  In your face!" - we are also working on humility and graciousness.  This student may underachieve, but turned in crazy great work on projects where he got to choose the topic and he comes to me for clarification and guidance on many of the projects we do.  

More than anything, he is one of the wittiest and silliest students I have - giving me great joy and laughter on a daily basis.

Now, I am not touting that he has done a "one-eighty" or has "come full-circle" or that I am some sort of teacher extraordinaire - I am so very, very far from that!  We still have days where I have to sit with him almost the full period to keep him from disengaging.  There are still assignments that are returned to him to be redone because he just did the bare minimum and wanted to get it over with.  I will not accept less than his best - and he is learning that..  He still tests his limits with me and my expectations of him, but we do have such a good time together!  As I plan for next year, he is one student I am especially looking forward to working with even more.

My class is a "Blow-Off" class?  If all blow-off classes can make gifted kids think, try, ask questions, get frustrated, open up, and excited to be there, then yes.  My SPECTRA class definitely IS a "Blow-Off" class and all gifted students should take it.

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