Originally Posted by ultramarina
Update: first day didn't go so well. A couple of kids told him to "go back to kindergarten" and there were some other unkind comments. It sounds like this teacher may not be as strong on classroom management as his great K teacher. He is nervous about returning.

I sent a nice email to both teachers giving them a heads-up. Poor button. Hopefully it will be a small bump in the road.
BTDT. It hurts. Hugs to kiddo. Some accelerated kiddos/families and the teachers/admins who supported acceleration have experienced complaints from other kids/parents/families which in some cases may actually influence a school to reverse its decision. A reassuring presence to stave that off, these links from a well-respected gifted education teacher may help shore up the position for kiddo's academic advancement and accelerated placement... they may present talking points for yourself, the teachers, and admin in addressing other parents, and/or creating policy. For kiddo, the ideas may help instill a sense of belonging and a sense of doing something great to help blaze a trail which may benefit other kids who may need to follow a similar educational path.

Tamara Fisher, blogging for Education Week on Aug 24 2013 discusses that 'Same' and 'Equal' Are Not Congruent Terms http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/2013/08/same_and_equal_are_not_congrue.html

Tamara Fisher, blogging for Education Week on March 24 2013 discusses Ten Ways Gifted Education Has Helped Me http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/un...ways_gifted_education_has_helped_me.html

Tamara Fisher, blogging for Education Week on Sep 30 2012 discusses What it Really Boils Down To
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/2012/09/what_it_really_boils_down_to.html

Tamara Fisher, blogging for Education Week on Sep 12 2012 discusses The Right Fit
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/2012/09/the_right_fit.html

Tamara Fisher, blogging for Education Week on July 21 2008 discusses that GT is NOT...
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/2008/07/that_mythological_place_of_is.html

I highly recommend Tamara Fisher's blog archives. The above articles may also be an effective counter-point to Jay Mathews' recent opinion piece, "Why geniuses don't need gifted education".

Here's hoping today and each day going forward is a better one for your kiddo in his accelerated placement!