It's been a struggle since DS was in kindergarten to get any kind of differentiation or extra challenge. Usually it's 3/4 of the way through the year when it finally happens, and then it tapers off within a few weeks. I was seriously thinking about moving to a different school district, or looking for a place that had a good private school. This year, however, things seem to have changed! DS has a teacher who differentiates EVERYTHING from reading, to math, even social studies. In math, it is still a bit easy for him, but he is learning, and filling in the gaps from the things that I taught him at home. DD is in first grade, and has the most awesome teacher ever! Her teacher went to bat for her with the school librarian, who wouldn't let her check out chapter books. She put her on an accelerated math program without me even having to ask. And she told me that she hopes I am not offended that she is holding DD to a higher standard than most with her writing, so what may work for some of the other kids will not cut it for DD.
To add icing to the cake, their school is participating in the Race to the Top program, which allowed them to get Rosetta Stone Software. My first and third grader are learning French! AND they can practice at home through the school web site. AND it's actually a challenge for both of them!
No real question or concern here, I was just so happy about all of this I wanted to cry - so I had to tell someone.
