- parents may deny their child's giftedness
- parents may exaggerate their child's giftedness, putting undue pressure on the child
- competitiveness and rivalry among siblings
- favoritism of one sibling and his/her accomplishments over another
- comparisons between siblings, usually with the favor being bestowed upon the child who is "normal" and fits "normal" expectations
Analysis and Application to October Sky:
Homer struggles to to make his father understand that he wants something more out of life than what is expected of him: working in the coal mines and carrying on his father's legacy. John Hickam can't help but compare Homer to his eldest son, Jim, the quintessential 1950's American teenage boy. Jim is athletic and open to his father's way of life, but because of his "jock" status, he wins a scholarship and way out of Coalwood, inspiring his father's pride by being how "a son should be." Homer, on the other hand, is "nerdy" and not in the least athletic. He is more interested in tinkering with rockets and learning, which has never gotten anyone out of a future of coal mining. Certain his son is wasting time, John can't find a way to support his son and instead endeavors to inhibit Homer's dreams in order to make him the "normal" son who fits expectations. Fortunately, Homer has a host of other supporters that help him overcome what could have been a debilitating obstacle and he finally wins his father over. Although, as Homer stated, they would never see eye to eye, Homer's determination, passion and talent are not unlike his father's, making John Hickam the boy's hero. October Sky is an inspiring look at how, despite familial obstacles (which I know from experience and research, can be almost insurmountable), dreams can be achieved, respect maintained, and familial love reinforced even when an agreement on abilities and destiny cannot be achieved.
Another important influence on the gifted child is that of the teacher or educator. The teacher's attitude and interaction towards the gifted child can determine whether that teacher finds the means to inspire and facilitate the gifted child's dreams. Often times, if the families of the gifted child do not support the gifted learner, it can be the teacher who reaches out and pushes the student to achieve his or her dreams.
Analysis and Application to October Sky:
Miss Riley is the ideal example of an educator who sees potential in an imperfect gifted learner and inspires him to reach for his dreams. It is her passion that convinces him to act on the plans he has made for himself, rather than the plans his father and the townspeople take for granted as his destiny.
Family and educators, while two of the most important influences and inspirations on a gifted child, are not the only people that can guide such a child. Often, a role model, whether personally known or not to the student, can be the driving factor to helping a gifted child tap into his or her potential and achieve his or her dreams.
Connection to October Sky:
Werner von Braun, the German rocket scientist, was the personally unknown, but nonetheless deeply inspiring role model for Homer Hickam.
While October Sky stays true to form in showing how deeply important family and educators can be in inspiring a gifted child, it also shows that an entire community (whether that be a community of friends, school, or hometown) can all play a part in raising, motivating, facilitating and inspiring the gifted learner and making a difference between an ordinary life in which potential is not achieved and "a life that counts for something."
References
Davis, G. A., Rimm, S. B., & Siegle, D. (2011). Education of the Gifted and Talented (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 418-445.Mann, R.L., Moore, M., Siegle, D., Wilson, H.E. (2010 November). Factors that influence in-service and preservice teachers' nominations for gifted and talented programs. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 33 (3), 339-342.
