WWYD... School related...

[paysensmom]

Sorry, it is a little long, but please keep with me.
My daughter is in first grade, we live in a very good school district. She is WAY above grade level. She attended a different school last year because I got a job in a different town. We had our parent teacher conference last week. They want to test her for G/T, but it wouldn't start until NEXT school year. If you are familiar with the testing of first grade, at least in Texas. She has taken the TPRI and passed all of the sections. This is the end of the year test to see if the kids learned what they needed to. She is reading at a
3rd/4th grade level and she can mulitply for math. She has an older brother and just picked up on this stuff. She is super smart. The problem is, she is not learning ANYTHING in school. I asked for her to be tested and placed in second grade. They told me that they would test in MAY for her to maybe skip a grade for NEXT year!!!

What should I do? I have thought about pulling her out and homeschooling her. But my husband says if I do that then I have to do it every year because she would just be in the same situation again and again. I was thinking I could homeschool her, teach her and let her take that test in May and start third grade next year. My husband also says if she skips a grade I am stealing a year of her childhood from her. I canNOT stand the fact that she is at school for 8 hours a day and is NOT learning. Please help me decide what is best for her.

 

[superme80]

Make sure you can DH are on the same page. I personally do recommend homeschooling her. You can get a lot accomplished in a shorter amount of time. But you also have to look at what you believe she will miss not attending public school. If there another school you could possibly get her transferred to that will test earlier? Also what does your daughter want to do? Good luck with your decision!!!!!

 

[TLuvsD]

You need HoagiesGifted.com Lots of information specific to your state about gifted education. Find out if your state has a GATE mandate, and what you can ask for from the school district. Lots of information about the pros/cons of all kinds of gifted options, including grade skips. There are links to message boards, etc.

 

[emdav]

Sorry, it is a little long, but please keep with me.
My daughter is in first grade, we live in a very good school district. She is WAY above grade level. She attended a different school last year because I got a job in a different town. We had our parent teacher conference last week. They want to test her for G/T, but it wouldn't start until NEXT school year. If you are familiar with the testing of first grade, at least in Texas. She has taken the TPRI and passed all of the sections. This is the end of the year test to see if the kids learned what they needed to. She is reading at a
3rd/4th grade level and she can mulitply for math. She has an older brother and just picked up on this stuff. She is super smart. The problem is, she is not learning ANYTHING in school. I asked for her to be tested and placed in second grade. They told me that they would test in MAY for her to maybe skip a grade for NEXT year!!!

What should I do? I have thought about pulling her out and homeschooling her. But my husband says if I do that then I have to do it every year because she would just be in the same situation again and again. I was thinking I could homeschool her, teach her and let her take that test in May and start third grade next year. My husband also says if she skips a grade I am stealing a year of her childhood from her. I canNOT stand the fact that she is at school for 8 hours a day and is NOT learning. Please help me decide what is best for her.

Is your daughter happy? That would be a large determining factor for me.

 

[Tink-aholic]

I will never understand the concept of "either/or" when parents decide about homeschooling/public school. If you have the time, why not teach your daughter after school has ended? Music lessons, trips to the local museums, get her started in several new languages on the computer, whatever. By this time next year, she will be able to skip a year; but she will have learned new material and acquired important social skills.

I am a public high school teacher and "homeschool" should happen all the time, regardless of where the child is enrolled.

 

[paysensmom]

Well, there seems to be a problem there. That is how she has gotten into this situation. I have always taught my children things at home and taken them to museums and such. So, she doesn't get "either/or". BUT, how fair is it that she has to sit at school for over 8 hours a day and then come home to ACTUALLY learn? That is my issue. Obviously I didn't get into detail about all she knows, what I do with her and so on. That would have made the initial post way to long and beyond the point.

 

[mjkacmom]

They start GT testing here in 3rd grade, and my kids got in. Honestly, school work didn't become even remotely challenging until 3rd or 4th grade. I think some of mine didn't get a wrong answer until 3rd grade. At this age, the level between some of the kids is HUGE. They did get to help some of their peers in the classroom.

However, once 5th grade hit, most kids were at similar levels. Dd14 struggled with frustration with math (never got less than an A, but wasn't used to not getting it right away).

At this age, at any age, social skills are just as important as academic skills. Sure, she might be ready to do 2nd grade work (I know all of mine were in first - they knew everything going in), but are put with kids their own reasons, regardless of academic ability, for a reason. I know many very bright children, but never heard of anyone skipping a grade.

 

[talulabelle]

Sorry, it is a little long, but please keep with me.
My daughter is in first grade, we live in a very good school district. She is WAY above grade level. She attended a different school last year because I got a job in a different town. We had our parent teacher conference last week. They want to test her for G/T, but it wouldn't start until NEXT school year. If you are familiar with the testing of first grade, at least in Texas. She has taken the TPRI and passed all of the sections. This is the end of the year test to see if the kids learned what they needed to. She is reading at a
3rd/4th grade level and she can mulitply for math. She has an older brother and just picked up on this stuff. She is super smart. The problem is, she is not learning ANYTHING in school. I asked for her to be tested and placed in second grade. They told me that they would test in MAY for her to maybe skip a grade for NEXT year!!!

What should I do? I have thought about pulling her out and homeschooling her. But my husband says if I do that then I have to do it every year because she would just be in the same situation again and again. I was thinking I could homeschool her, teach her and let her take that test in May and start third grade next year. My husband also says if she skips a grade I am stealing a year of her childhood from her. I canNOT stand the fact that she is at school for 8 hours a day and is NOT learning. Please help me decide what is best for her.

Do you really want to send a 16-17 year old off to college in 10 years? Don't have her skip a grade. It is rarely a good idea. Although academically she may be ahead of the class, most likely, socially - she is very much a first grader. Later on when the other kids are hitting puberty and going to dances with boys, and she wants to still play with dolls, you won't have done any favors for her. It is better to keep her with the kids her age, and just supplement her learning at home. Have her do book reports for you and read books on her level - etc. It is ok if school is easy for her.

I was exactly where you are 8 years ago with my 9th grader. It was making me crazy that he was so far beyond everyone. I wanted him to skip a grade and the principal sat me down and told me the things I just said and it made sense. Also, if she likes sports - later on you are not doing her any favors when she is the youngest and most likely smallest girl trying out for Varsity- and she she gets cut, but since she is a junior, she can't play JV. Also, applying to colleges she will present as less mature than the competition. I am from Baltimore - and actually in Baltimore people put their kids in private schools so they can hold them back a year (or two) even when the kid doesn't need to be held back because they have figured out that a 19 year old senior has a huge jump on the competition for college for sports, and maturity then the 17 and 18 year old seniors. Your daughter being smart and at age level is a GOOD thing later on. Why would you want to bump her up to blend in with others and not be so special, when you can leave her where she is and have her shine above everyone? When considering skipping grades, many things things need to be considered, not just academics.

My son was tested in 1st grade and tested on a 12th grade reading level. (The only reason he didn't test higher was because the test only tested up to a 12th grade level and he didn't get any questions wrong on the test) I am not kidding. He is a true genius. He started the Harry Potter series on his own at age 4. I never had him skip a grade, because socially - he was very much a 1st grader.

It all just works out. If he had a book report in 3rd grade and the other kids were doing it on age appropriate books like "Flat Stanley" or a Magic Treehouse book or something similar...he did the same report, but did it on Tolkein's The Hobbit. I just made sure he had materials at home that challenged him...but school has always been a very stress free and happy place for him. It all works out as they get older. First of all - the gap narrows...the other kids do catch up - no matter how smart your kids is. They top out at some level and over the years the others catch up some. My boy is probably still at the top of his class - but not by as far as he was in first grade. Also when they are older you do have more opportunity for more challenging courses.

So, anyway it's just my opinion and advice...but chill out. As long as you daughter is happy - let her be a kid and thank the Lord school isn't a struggle for her. If her homework is easy for her...great! More time to go to extracurriculars like dance class and sports rather than sweating over homework. Believe me, when she is a teenager and you will laugh that you even worried about this.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Contact the local group of Mensa. Each local group has a Gifted Children's Coordinator (or similar title). Check out this link http://www.southtexas.us.mensa.org/

 

[cats mom]

Many school districts don't do much, if anything, with G/T programs until 3rd grade. You're lucky if yours offers differentiated education starting in 1st or 2nd grade.

Honestly for 1st grade I'd try to sit back, relax and continue providing enrichment at home. Socialization is huge at that age and she's getting that even if she is sometimes bored.

I had a DD who tested at a 6th grade reading level at the beginning of 1st grade. She didn't skip grades, and didn't start the G/T program until 3rd grade. Yes, she was sometimes very bored in school, but all worked out just fine. At the far opposite side of the spectrum, there is a 12 year old in DS's freshman class at high school. DS says he's kicking in academics, but his HS social experience is downright ugly. Obviously he skipped more than one grade, but I'd think long and hard before pushing that anyway.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[torinsmom]

I have kindergarteners in my class that are reading at a 3rd grade level and doing multiplication. That doesn't mean they need to skip a grade or be tested for MENSA. There are areas they can work on, such as research, science projects, etc. The teacher should be able to challenge her. Surely she is not the only child in the class reading 2 years ahead of average. She should have a reading group at her level. For math, our more advanced students make up their own word problems and then trade out and solve the ones their classmates' made. I wouldn't skip a child unless they were WELL above grade level and also socially mature for their age.

Have you had a parent teacher conference to discuss what can be done to challenge your child at school? Is your child happy in the class or not?

 

[Mrsdennison]

I would talk to the teacher. Tell her or him your concerns. Ask if your child could read out of a different reading book during reading time. Ask, if it would be an option for your daughter to attended 2nd grade for math everyday. This way she is still able to socialize with her 1st grade peers but able to do work that is skill appropriate.

I tend to agree that skipping a grade is generally not a great idea. Socially it usually backfires from what I have seen.

Mrsdennison

 

[tar heel]

When bright children learn to read, they often put everything together, take off and get very far ahead quickly. I don't consider third-fourth grade level to be especially advanced either.

The school considered skipping for one my kids. He was extremely far ahead academically, but it would have been such a mistake. Girls do tend to be a little more mature than boys but not that much more mature.

 

[Hannathy]

I would not have her skip a grade!!! She may be ahead academically but she is not ahead socially. there is so much to learn in school that isn't purely academic. And as someone said are you ready to have her being expected to turn into a teenager when she should still like her American girl doll ? What about the locker room when she is 2 yrs behind developmentally? How about Health class in 9th grade when they go over "the facts of life" and not at the 5th grade level. Are you ready to have her in school with 18 yr old guys when she is 13? Who is she going to date?

Socially she won't be accepted at either her normal grade or at her elevated grade.

My BIL is extremely bright and was skipped and started an Ivy League college at 16 He says it was terrible! the worst thing he ever did. He had no problem with the work but could not cope with the social things. Lasted a year came home and then re-started another college a year later and had no problem.

Enrich her, challenge her, encourage her, but don't make her grow up before she has to! Really what is the hurry? we are adults a very long time and children such a short time let her enjoy all of it she can.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Is your daughter happy? That would be a large determining factor for me.

Exactly! My DD, several years ago skipped from 6th to 8th. It was our choice, not her's. By the time Nov was rolling around, she wanted to go back to 7th. She was doing great in the classes, kept up on all the work, but started to fear going into high school the end of that school year. She is an Aug baby & here in Fl, you must be 5 by Sept 1st to start school .. meaning she was already on the young side to begin with. She would have been 16 and graduating high school. We listened to her & put her back into 7th. She graduated high school at 17.. She is 22 now and preparing to apply for grad school...

I know your DD is only in 1st, but don't push it.. she may be happy where she is. She is learning.. just not the way you think. She is learning how to get along with others, how to share, how to sit still and listen.. how to walk in a line. School isn't just academic's.. it is socialization too.. and she is learning that in 1st grade

 

[A Mickeyfan]

When bright children learn to read, they often put everything together, take off and get very far ahead quickly. I don't consider third-fourth grade level to be especially advanced either.

The school considered skipping for one my kids. He was extremely far ahead academically, but it would have been such a mistake. Girls do tend to be a little more mature than boys but not that much more mature.

You are correct, while 3-4th grade reading in 1st is very good, it isn't what you would call extreme....and they do learn to multiply in the second semester of 2nd grade..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I also want to add to this discussion having seen children go into the gifted program early sometimes do not turn out to be actually "gifted" but just happen to know much for 1st grade. I have personally seen a child go into the full time gifted for 2nd grade.His mother pushed the testing & they gave in to her. Our schools usually do not like to do that. By the time this kid was entering middle school (end of 5th grade actually), he was going to Sylvin Learning Center for tutoring. He was not "gifted" after all and was falling behind in all of his grade level work.. This I believe is the reason that schools do not like doing the testing in first grade..

 

[bartleby1]

I agree with the others. You really don't want to skip a grade. My oldest was very much advanced for her age. She knew her colors and could recognize all the letters and numbers by 1-1/2 yrs old, was reading in preschool, counting money before she entered kindergarten, etc. I still would never consider skipping her a grade.

In kindergarten, the teacher had her doing book reports on her own. They mostly used the Magic Tree House series. She still did the regular kindergarten work, but since she always finished early, she could read her book for her report. If she was done reading, she started her report. Just having something extra was enough "enrichment" without going overboard.

In first grade, the teacher basically did the same kind of thing, but she used the Little House on the Prairie series and gave her harder spelling words. She also told us during a conference that she made sure to ask a least one question a day that my daughter didn't know the answer to just so she could challenge her a little.

In second grade, the kids all did one book report every two weeks. They could choose whatever book they wanted on their level. Some kids chose easy reader books while others chose chapter books, allowing kids to work at their own level.

By third grade, they start G&T so they do get challenged a little more. I also found that the kids even out a bit more by this level.

Fourth and fifth grades opened up a lot more enrichment opportunities for my daughter. They do a lot of hands on learning and she now gets pulled out for math enrichment, G&T, flute/band, reading club, etc. She is still very bright, but with the extra opportunities, she is definitely challenged in school. I'm glad that she still gets to be with her peers throughout the day and would definitely not want her to have been pushed ahead.

Fitting in socially is just as important as academics (if not more important!). Talk to the teacher about adding one or two extra things to challenge her if you feel it is needed. Otherwise, ride it out and let her be a kid.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Do you really want to send a 16-17 year old off to college in 10 years? Don't have her skip a grade. It is rarely a good idea. Although academically she may be ahead of the class, most likely, socially - she is very much a first grader. Later on when the other kids are hitting puberty and going to dances with boys, and she wants to still play with dolls, you won't have done any favors for her. It is better to keep her with the kids her age, and just supplement her learning at home. Have her do book reports for you and read books on her level - etc. It is ok if school is easy for her.

I was exactly where you are 8 years ago with my 9th grader. It was making me crazy that he was so far beyond everyone. I wanted him to skip a grade and the principal sat me down and told me the things I just said and it made sense. Also, if she likes sports - later on you are not doing her any favors when she is the youngest and most likely smallest girl trying out for Varsity- and she she gets cut, but since she is a junior, she can't play JV. Also, applying to colleges she will present as less mature than the competition. I am from Baltimore - and actually in Baltimore people put their kids in private schools so they can hold them back a year (or two) even when the kid doesn't need to be held back because they have figured out that a 19 year old senior has a huge jump on the competition for college for sports, and maturity then the 17 and 18 year old seniors. Your daughter being smart and at age level is a GOOD thing later on. Why would you want to bump her up to blend in with others and not be so special, when you can leave her where she is and have her shine above everyone? When considering skipping grades, many things things need to be considered, not just academics.

My son was tested in 1st grade and tested on a 12th grade reading level. (The only reason he didn't test higher was because the test only tested up to a 12th grade level and he didn't get any questions wrong on the test) I am not kidding. He is a true genius. He started the Harry Potter series on his own at age 4. I never had him skip a grade, because socially - he was very much a 1st grader.

It all just works out. If he had a book report in 3rd grade and the other kids were doing it on age appropriate books like "Flat Stanley" or a Magic Treehouse book or something similar...he did the same report, but did it on Tolkein's The Hobbit. I just made sure he had materials at home that challenged him...but school has always been a very stress free and happy place for him. It all works out as they get older. First of all - the gap narrows...the other kids do catch up - no matter how smart your kids is. They top out at some level and over the years the others catch up some. My boy is probably still at the top of his class - but not by as far as he was in first grade. Also when they are older you do have more opportunity for more challenging courses.

So, anyway it's just my opinion and advice...but chill out. As long as you daughter is happy - let her be a kid and thank the Lord school isn't a struggle for her. If her homework is easy for her...great! More time to go to extracurriculars like dance class and sports rather than sweating over homework. Believe me, when she is a teenager and you will laugh that you even worried about this.

 

[torinsmom]

I also want to add to this discussion having seen children go into the gifted program early sometimes do not turn out to be actually "gifted" but just happen to know much for 1st grade. I have personally seen a child go into the full time gifted for 2nd grade.His mother pushed the testing & they gave in to her. Our schools usually do not like to do that. By the time this kid was entering middle school (end of 5th grade actually), he was going to Sylvin Learning Center for tutoring. He was not "gifted" after all and was falling behind in all of his grade level work.. This I believe is the reason that schools do not like doing the testing in first grade..

Our school has stopped testing K and 1st grade kids for this reason. It is fairly common for kids to be above grade level in the beginning years. Kids that have been in good preshools or have parents who have pushed academics at home start out ahead. We have both K and PreK in our classroom and the kids who are with us for PreK are always above grade level in K because we work with them from the start.

The AIG(Academically and Intellectually Gifted) teacher will give teachers enrichment materials if we need them. Unless a child is a genius, the teacher should be able to meet their needs in the classroom, just like they meet the needs of kids with learning disabilities. For instance, 5 of my 10 K's are working on sight words, 2 are not ready for sight words and are working on letter sounds, and 3 know all the K and 1st grade sight words and are having spelling tests on the words. A good teacher differentiates instruction.