Boredom Plagues Gifted Middle Schoolers: How Understanding their Brains Can Prevent Drop-Outs
Middle schools seldom provide adequate challenge for bright kids, causing students to lose interest in school and possibly even drop out. Understanding how their brains work can help parents and teachers develop methods for reigniting motivation, helping students continue to reach their potential.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, March 05, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- America's brightest minds are falling off the radar. They're becoming alienated, underachieving, and dropping out of school, a result of the "drill and kill" requirements existing in today's schools.

Up to half of the curriculum in some middle school subjects has already been mastered by extremely bright students before they even enter class, yet schools require that students drill and review until standardized test material is mastered. Without being challenged, gifted kids are getting bored and losing interest in school. One Ohio district study reported that 40% of the drop-out population were identified gifted students.

"This is a time of crisis for our education system, yet few are sounding the alarm," says Judy Willis, M.D., M.Ed., a neurologist, teacher, and author of Inspiring Middle School Minds: Gifted, Creative, and Challenging (March 2009). Understanding how the adolescent brain works, however, is a method of addressing this crisis. Dr. Willis provides fascinating explanations about how different parts of the brain react and interact to either ignite or snuff out learning. Brain-based strategies implemented by parents and teachers can result in more positive and rewarding learning experiences for gifted middle schoolers, counteracting the existing "drill and kill" effects.

Dr. Willis has become an authority in the field of learning-centered brain research and classroom strategies. Dr. Willis is on the board of directors of the Hawn Foundation for mindfulness education programs organized by Goldie Hawn, and has traveled internationally with actress Goldie Hawn to make presentations about mindful teaching and learning.

To learn more about the author and methods for motivating middle schoolers, view our online media kit at http://www.giftedbooks.com/productdetails.asp?id=128. Review copy and interview requests can be emailed to Kristina@giftedbooks.com. Excerpts from the book are also available for reprint with permission.

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Kristina Grant
Great Potential Press
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