Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments It's like DS learns IN SPITE of school

This is all so mind-boggling. How could it possibly be "not fair" to the other kids? If the goal is to read 100 books, and he's picking bigger and harder books to read, it will (may) take him longer to read the 100 books than it does the other kids, who are reading the smaller books. He's giving them an advantage -- and it's not a competition with others, anyway, it's a competition with oneself!

I would be in the principal's office so much on this, they'd have to give me my own name plate. Does the principal condone taking books away from children? Does the superintendent? Does the school board? And does the newspaper know about it, if they do? The taxpayers whose hard-earned money goes to the schools might be interested to know that the people they elected, and the people those people hired, are spending their time trying to hold back the children's educations.

And as for keeping children from knowing there are bigger and better books out there -- oh lord almighty! Isn't that the whole incentive for learning to read in the first place? If I had thought, as a child, that first-grade (or worse) books were all there was in the world, I wouldn't have even bothered!

Irena, is your ds in 1st or 2nd grade? I'm sorry I can't remember which! The reason I ask is, it just occurred to me this morning - you have a teacher who appears to be very rigid about this... I'm just wondering (and speculating) that there's a good chance you aren't the first parent who's perhaps complained about this, and that may be part of the reason she's reacting the way she is. The reason I asked about the grade is that there would have been several children in my kids' 1st grade classes who were reading Magic Tree House level books at the start of the year - and some children reading books ahead of that level. For sure by 2nd grade there would have been quite a few (if not a lot) of kids in class reading at that level. I looked online and realize they are technically rated for grades 3-7, but they were mostly popular at our schools in early early elementary. I can't imagine even my reading challenged 4th grader still being interested in them at 9 years old - most of the students in her 3rd grade classroom last year had moved on beyond that level. My kids weren't in a gifted school or gifted classrooms in early elementary.

So maybe I'm off base, but I'm just wondering if maybe that's not part of it - other parents have perhaps complained too?

Seriously, I would be so beyond annoyed about this! Especially the concern about "obedience" - yikes!

polarbear

ps - from everything you've written it sounds like this is all about a teacher digging in her heels and wanting it her way - but if she does happen to question whether or not your ds is actually comprehending at this level, request her to test his reading level! Or at the very least pull out his reading level report from the end of last year. If the teacher doesn't want to, I'd take it to the principal.

Great food for thought.

Great guide for conversation with a teacher/school.

Do you think children should obey their parents? I think they should, within limits.

How can one adult keep order in a classroom of twenty children unless they are "compliant" or "obedient"?

This is an interesting question. I would suggest that keeping order is infinitely more likely when young minds are fully engaged in what they are doing. Which is less likely when they are forced into repeating material that they have mastered.

We tend to think about the traditional desk-in-rows, teacher in front mode. Your question made me think about my DS' Montessori primary (ages 3-6) teacher. She had 21 children, almost always individually working or in small groups. She also had a very peaceful classroom. She was exceptionally good at noting when a child was about to run amok and at then redirecting them and/or giving them a reminder about expected behavior. This classroom also had four or five very smart, advanced boys in it. And yet, without dumbing them down or forcing obedience, there was order.

Polarbear - he's in 2nd. Oddly I think he is one of the most advanced kids in the class - no one else from his class gets the math differientation and he said he is only of the only kids on level RR for reading. He said it's surprising how many of the kids aren't such good readers and according to him no one seems all that good math either. It's a bit odd because last year he had more 'peers' and a few kids above him and he liked that. He sussed out another guy sneaking Bionicle books during reading and they have become friends but, so far, it doesnt seem other-Bionicle-book-guy has gotten caught yet.

Anyway, the problem is not that the books are magic treehouse, nor is it the level. It's not their appropriateness either. The problem is they are 'magic treehouse books that have not been donated and made a part of the class basket.' [DS at home is reading on a 5th grade level (white and black level 100 book challenge books) but of course he can not read above his assessed level at school, which is RR.] It's about 'he is told to pick 100 book challenge book from the class red basket and those are the only books he is permitted to read. He needs to "follow directions" and read the books from the basket he is told to read from. I'm not sure any one else complains about anything at this school, everyone simply raves on and on about it and the teachers (it's like no says anything bad here or shows anger - it's a bit like "stepford parents" LOL but maybe I just have to do more digging.). Also my kid simply is not at all that compliant by nature, maybe other kids are just more compliant on such issues. Most people rave about the teachers. I was told this one was "strict but fabulous!" so I was nervous she'd be overly rigid (looks like I may be right)... I noticed many of DS's friends of Asian and Indian descent (1st generation kiddos) are very far ahead in math mostly but also in reading... From what i have observed the kids do outside tutoring amd things like Kumon and whatever else there is. However they do not seem to cause any trouble at school (not that I have seen yet) . Like, my DS's friend last year - he was 1st generation Indian and above DS in math (and would teach DS the higher level stuff when they had free time) and reading but when I asked DS doesn't "friend" get annoyed or bored or complained since he is even higher, DS said, "No he just does what he is told to do and doesn't disobey or complain. I guess it doesn't bother him as much." I am not sure what to think. I do remember one mom/neighbor last year saying about her daughter "I hope she finally starts learning something." but then didn't say anymore and went back to fake, super bubbly demeanor.


Anyway, allegedly DS is now allowed to read the Magic Treehouse Ice Wizard book. I am wondering how my donations will work, though - I am a little concenred that the books will be circulated out other classes.... not that I mind that but I do want DS to have access to at least one or two of them.

My DS's class has boxes of reading books at every level of the students in the class. If they want to try a higher level book they use the strategies they are taught about how to determine if a book is too hard for them. And there doesn't seem to be any competitiveness, this is just where the kids are. Irena's DS teacher seems determined not just to manage behavior with this approach but to avoid any kind of differentiation.

Given the cost of Montessori (hardly within the reach of a non high SES population) I think that you are dealing with a group that has already been taught the value of delayed gratification and self control at home.

Not your standard group of kids that age at all.

To be clear - DS is not running amok in the classroom. He gets "in trouble" for wanting to do higher level work - read higher level books (or books at least interesting to him) and he wants to be able to move on in math... He is not running around wild, disobedient... he's just trying to keep learning and keep his mind engaged!