5th Grade DD class assignment

[MUFFYCAT]

Maybe I'm being a little sensitive because it's my daughter, but her new class this year isn't turning out good so far. She has a small group of friends of which none are in her class this year. She seems to have the "big click". All the girls (11) are friends with each other and my daughter doesn't have anyone. By 5th grade the kids have made their friends. She knows them all, but no one talks to her. She takes OT & PT for cognitive disabilities-gross and fine motor skills and gets pulled out of class 2 a week. I talked to the teacher before school started and told her my thoughts. She was surprised that the 4th grade teacher didnt put her with one of her friends as " they usually place kids with a friend". Am I being to sensitive? Should have her change her class? Middle school is next year, so for now I told her she'll meet new people next year. I said even though one class has 2 of her friends, that her current teacher will prepare them better than the other for the middle school. Then to add to the formula they split the 4 5th grade classes at recess, so she only sees one other class.

 

[aimee11621]

How does she feel? Does she want to stay or would she rather be with a friend?

Maybe making new friends isn't such a horrible idea. Helps with the adapting skills.

Next year will be even more difficult. This is maybe a stepping stone for her. ( learning experience)

Mine two is a special needs student. dd10 But she is very flexible not afraid to try new things. Unlike her mom (me). Kids are stronger than we parents can imagine.


pixi dust for you bothDON'T UNDER ESTIMATE YOUR CHILD

I am guilty of this all the time.

 

[SC Minnie]

I was actually thankful that DD's best friends weren't in her class this year or last. They have a tendency to talk too much.

This year will be a valuable social learning experience for your child. Does she want to change? If she changes classes will that put an even more 'stigma' on her?

Discuss it with your daughter and maybe even with the guidence counselor- they know more than you realize about the dynamics of these clicks.

 

[Pin Wizard]

That happened to DS in 4th grade. Not one friend of his was in class. They were all together in the other class. I made a stink about it with the guidance counselor since she's "in" on what classes are assigned what kids. She said they couldn't switch him or any other kids in the current year, but she would make sure he had a friend in 5th. That's what he had...ONE! Never mind that there's 5 or 6 together in the other class.

We moved at the end of the third quarter last year. DS still doesn't have any "friends" at school. He has made a couple at day care so I make sure he goes there.

 

[Dancind]

I've got a kid with a cognitive disability, and I don't think most people realize that it takes them a long time to make a friend. DD struggled with it all through grade school. Then in 6th grade, the friends she had made in elementary dumped her. It was a tough year, but in 7th grade she found new friends. She was a little more mature, and better able to handle it than she would have been in 5th grade. I say give her a break, and try to get her moved.

 

[padams]

Pin Wizard- that is exactly what happened to us this year. DS had never had a boy in his class be in his class the next year (this went on for 3 years in a row). We're always told in conferences "he's so good at making new friends".

Last year, I complained about the situation and was assured by the teacher and administration that he was not without a friend from the previous year in his class this year. DS has 1 friend in the class. I didn't realize I had to take their "a friend" remark so literally.

 

[disykat]

DS #2 didn't know any of the kids in his class this year. I was THRILLED! Our school is big enough that they seem to make new friends each year - and last year's bunch was a doozy!