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Gifted and talented

Talk to other parents about parenting a gifted child on this forum.

Original poster

G&T teenagers - what engages them?

23 replies

UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:16

I'm doing a writing workshop the week after next - stepping in at short notice for a colleague who has a clash of dates - and it's with a G&T group of Year 10s.

All my writing-in-school work has been at primary level so far, so I'm wondering about a way "in" with Y10s. I don't want to pitch it totally wrongly. What sort of thing is likely to interest them?

The session is in a museum and the idea is that we create some work around the exhibits. I can think of a few ideas, but I'm worried about the whole thing coming across as desperately dull for them, or going to the other extreme and trying too hard to be "cool".

if anyone has any experience with this age-group I'd be very grateful.

OP posts:
Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:27

The Yr 10 boy who lives next door to us is into sport in a big way and goes running with his dad. He is a sporting high achiever, I'd say. But he still has time to play in the garden with my 7 year old.

So, sport can be a great interest, but they can often surprise you too.

roisin · 10/10/2007 20:28

Hi!
I would say don't pitch it too low, and try not to be patronising.
I've seen some real enthusiasm and passion with this sort of group when using poetry - I don't know if that's your sort of thing at all?
Don't expect them to be very forthcoming, especially at first, and especially if they don't know each other well.

I would expect them to be very reserved and stand-offish, and very cynical and sceptical. But even if they try hard not to show it, they will be interested to meet a published author, and they will be touched if you show some interest in them and their writing.

Definitely give some thought to some warm-up, relaxing, getting to know you games. Maybe some drama techniques?
How long have you got with them?

Is there anyway you can make the work "real". i.e. could you get them to create some worksheets or quizzes that could be used for primary school-aged visitors?

PS How did your workshop for adults go?

Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:32

UQD - didn't know you were a published writer? Is your real name Michael Rosen?

ShrinkingViolet · 10/10/2007 20:32

not much help with the writing part of it, but i've just had a chat with DD1 (Yr 10 G&T but not for writing LOL)- her advice is to treat them as a group of interested adults, with lots of discussion amongst themselves, letting them spark ideas off each other. She also said that somethign that wasn't what they woudl be doing in class by way of writing would be good. One thing she's done at an enrichment workshop was to create a "Museum of Me" with personal artefacts; also at a History Summer School, they did lots of in depth talking about exhibits, and what they told them about the past with very little writing.
Pitch it as you would to an adult group, I would say. Once you get them started talking, it ought to flow by itself!

Original poster
UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:35

Elasticwoman - I wish I had Michael Rosen's talent for engaging with kids!! But yes, I am a published writer.

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SenoraPostrophe · 10/10/2007 20:35

they weren't labelled as such but I have taught lots of gifted students, and I second shrinkingViolet's advice to treat them as adults. In fact treat them more like adults than you would adults (I gave one of my students an asterix book to read once and he was quite disdainful!). they're unlikley to find it desperately dull - imo part of being gifted is about being able to see beyond the trendy.

Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:37

Michael Morpurgo, Michael Bond? Go on, give me a clue UQD! Have I heard of you?

Original poster
UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:37

Thanks for suggestions, folks. kepe them coming.

roisin - it went very well. I had 8 people and they all seemed to enjoy it and get a lot out of it. The only thing I would change for next time is that I perhaps tried to pack too much into the afternoon session - my timings went a bit off towards the end and I rushed a bit towards the finish. But I hope that's not the worst of sins!

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Original poster
UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:38

I can spell "keep" but I sometimes can't type it.

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Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:39

I know! You're ycleped Geoffrey Chaucer .

Original poster
UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:40

elasticwoman - why do you think my name is Michael?? I'm not a children's writer - at least, not a published one, yet. I've published three novels and three non-fiction books, plus a couple of TV-tie-ins.

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Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:46

Well I'm pretty sure it's not Unquiet. Thomas Harris?

Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:48

ps My g&t teenager would be mightily engaged by bribes of sweets or Doritos and access to computer games and Ugly Betty. Also pretty keen on the Simpsons.

Original poster
UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:52

Believe me, elastica, you are in a Rumplestiltskin scenario here. You are never, ever, ever in a million years going to guess unless someone else tells you. (And not because I'm anyone terribly famous either!)

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Elasticwoman · 10/10/2007 20:53

Hans Christian Anderson? One of the brothers Grimm ? . . . .

slowreader · 10/10/2007 21:38

Drama? Writing and performing? DS14 and co all like drama. None of them are daft although not officially diagnosed G and Ts.

vacua · 10/10/2007 21:44

ok tell us who your agent is then

I just asked my G&T yr 11 and she says 'fantasy' but it might not go down well with the group as a whole, she says 'make them laugh'

roisin · 10/10/2007 22:39

Have you got these kids for a couple of hours, or all day?

fembear · 10/10/2007 23:22

Not trying to worry you or anything but ...
I once heard someone describing a similar event (controlling G&T kids outing to An Interesting Place) as akin to trying to herd cats!

Original poster
UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 23:30

I'm doing two groups, morning and afternoon, in tandem with another writer (i.e one group each and we swap ends at lunch). I need to chat to her about what she is doing but she is away on a course at the moment.

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WendyWeber · 10/10/2007 23:32

I was just going to say make them laugh too, vacua

Magdelanian · 11/10/2007 22:40

Hi all

Re (G&T) and all teenagers they love the fantasy. Never quite got this myself. Vacua have seen you on a couple of posts and would like to say hi!

vacua · 12/10/2007 07:55

hi!

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