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    Joined: Oct 2015
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    Originally Posted by Loy58
    Does your school have iPads? There is an adaptive math program called Front Row that DS7's teacher is using. I believe that it has a free version. It is Common Core aligned. DS likes it (DD did not), but he is blowing through multiple grade levels so I am not sure how long it will help.

    I don't think the school has iPads for the younger kids. However, they do have one or two computers in each classroom. My older DS (in third grade) does use Front Row for his class so I think the school does have that program.

    When my DS6 was in the Kindergarten last year, they were able to give him access to this one program (I can't remember what that was) that is basically a computer game for math. He loved it and would not want to get off of it. The teacher would give him more time to be on it to reward his good behavior :-). However, although it is the same school district but our k and 1-3 are two separate schools so not sure if the current school would be willing to do something like this for him.

    Thanks for your advice and I will keep you posted :=)

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    Originally Posted by Lovemydd
    Ajinlove, not sure if the school is public or private but have you looked into a school with multi-age classrooms. It could be montessori or not but they are typically more able to provide enrichment to a younger kid. Dd was in one till first grade and we all loved it. Now that she is in a public school grouped by grade, she is learning way less than she was before.

    My DS was in a montessori school until he started Kindergarten. He was in a multi-age classroom. However, I don't think after Kindergarten, they have multi-age classrooms any more.

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    I finally sent my DS' WISC report to his principal and his teacher. I got a response from the principal one day later. She's already talked to DS' teacher and sounded like they've already come up with some kind of plan.

    We set up a time to meet this Friday. She asked if I am Ok with him to take the grade 2 MAP test on math before we meet because they want to have a more updated information on math abilities. I agreed. DS told me that a teacher (I believe is the special ed/gifted teacher) asked him to do some math questions (additions and subtractions) yesterday. He'll probably take the MAP test in the next couple of days.

    I am happy that the school responded quickly on this matter. I am not 100% sure if they already have a plan in mind or will be discussing different options with me and ask for my suggestions. Either way, I hope they are flexible with the plan and the plan will truly work for my DS.

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    Originally Posted by ajinlove
    I hope they are flexible with the plan and the plan will truly work for my DS.

    If you find your school to be flexible...this is key. The biggest problem I have had, by far, with my 2 DYS's school is extreme rigidity, which may ultimately drive us away. Best of luck!

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    Update - the principal had to cancel the meeting last week and was going to reschedule it with me yesterday. I did not hear from her so I emailed my DS' teacher this morning. The teacher replied back within a couple of hours and told me that the principal was out sick for several days. She says the principal is anxious to help DS and for sure she'll contact me to reschedule as soon as she's able.

    The DS was assessed by the math specialist two weeks ago for the end of the 1st grade and beg. of 2nd grade level math to see if there are any gaps that they need to focus on before moving on with his enrichment. He did really well on them. He also was given the 2nd grade MAP test (math only) last week. The teacher doesn't know the result yet.

    In the meantime, the teacher will give him a "challenge packet" to do in class in his free time or for replacement of other class work. He has been very chatty during class so hope this would help him focus and keep him interested in school work.

    When I didn't get the phone call yesterday, I became a little worried that the school was trying to push it off or ran into roadblocks. But with this update from the teacher, I feel a bit relieved. It sounds like the school is moving along with the process. Our meeting was just delayed due to the principal's sickness. I am sure she'll have a lot to catch up after returning to school. So I am going to patiently wait for her to contact me for the rescheduling of the meeting.

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    PMed you ajinlove.

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    I replied to your pm, thank you!

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    I finally met with my DS7's principal and his teacher yesterday. The math specialist wasn't able to come but she's well aware what's going on and will be updated with our meeting results.

    My DS tested at middle of third grade level on the winter MAP test for grade 2-5 and envision 2.0 (new math curriculum our school district is using). Before the meeting, the principal and the math specialist have already come up with a general plan on what DS should be focusing on for enrichment for the rest of the year and in second grade. He will be pulled out to work with the specialist every day during regular class time (and possibly with two other kids who tested well on the first grade MAP test) for the remainder of the year. He'll be focusing on 2nd/3rd grade math vocabulary, breaking down thinking in multiple steps, providing explanations and justifying his answers. I think this is more in-line with the common core requirement. They are planning on starting this plan on Feb. 8 and run it for 6-8 weeks then reevaluate at that time. If it's going well, we will stick to it for the rest of the school year.

    Starting in second grade, they'll try to match his classroom schedule with the third grade challenged math class so he can go to that class. If he has a really good Fall MAP test score in 2nd grade and CogAT score, he could go to advanced math in the mid-year (advanced is one grade ahead where challenged is half grade ahead).

    When he's in third grade, I am not sure how they will work this out as the 4th and 5th grade are in another building more than 5 minutes driving distance. I am thinking if he's in the advanced math, they could probably give him 5th grade math to do. It sounds like the school is flexible in these plans so when it comes down to it, I am sure we'll have a good plan put in place.

    As for LA, DS' teacher feels confident that she can provide him with the appropriate level books to read and help him with writing. They do have third grade advanced LA so we'll see if he can get in when he's in third grade.

    Overall, I am pretty happy with the plan. I believe besides the math specialist and DS' teacher, the principal also discussed the situation with the gifted and learning center people at the district. Everyone is on board with this individual learning plan (ILP). They will also see if the other two kids' level is similar to my DS so they can be on the same plan. If this happens, it would be even ideal as on the social side, DS won't feel alone and isolated on this.

    They will provide us some online math problem links that we can work on at home. I am also planning on having my DS taking the Singapore Math classes at home.

    Overall, this is a positive experience for me. Thank you everyone for sharing your experience and advice. I felt much more confident and equipped when going to the meeting.

    Last edited by ajinlove; 01/29/16 11:40 AM.
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    I am a little frustrated after talking to the math specialist at DSs school yesterday.

    Originally the plan for DS7 is to have him working on 2nd grade curriculum with the math specialist for the rest of the school year started in Feb. This is to fill in gaps that he has on common core. When he goes to 2nd grade, he would be taking 3rd grade challenged math class with the gifted 3rd graders.

    However, the math specialist thinks that he still has some gaps to fill because he has not been exposed to the materials before. When he does the math packet, he had many questions because he didn't understand some of the vocabs. Once he's explained the question, he got it right away. Also they are looking for certain ways to answer the questions under common core. DS did not know those until he's been taught. His winter MAP test (grade 2-5) suggested that he was already at middle of third grade level in math. So I mentioned that to her. She said maybe he was able to figure out the answers but did not know how the answers were arrived.

    She also mentioned that the challenged math for the 3rd graders are pretty rigorous. The pace is much faster than the regular curriculum and requires more work (homework almost everyday). He may be too young to handle that pressure and that's why they start the gifted program in 3rd grade. My DS9 (MG kid) is in that class this year. I don't see him study at home besides doing his homework and he's got an A in that class. If he can handle the work, I can't see my DS7 (A PG kid) not able to handle it.

    The school now has a new plan. They are identifying kids who has high math abilities and will have an extension of some sort in 2nd grade to either pull these kids out of class or some other ways so they are given more challenged or accelerated work. It's still on the planning stage so nothing is set in stone yet. My DS7 will be in this program for sure. However, I am not sure if this is going to be challenged and accelerated enough for him.

    I started supplement math material outside of the school a month ago with Beast Academy (starting book 3A). We are only doing this on weekends but will pick up the speed when summer comes. So I think we will be done with the 3 books before school starts in the fall.

    I am seeking advice and opinions on whether I should push the school more for the 3rd grade challenged math or just be content with the new program the school is setting up.

    TIA!

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    Oh, boy. Have I been where you are at before. First school says they will do "X," which sounds great. Then they delay and instead wish to do, "Y"...which sounds...much. less. great.

    (Sigh).

    To be fair, filling in the gaps is not a bad plan. What they need to remember is that they CANNOT use it as a reason to also not teach him anything else.

    We've had to ask for tweaks in our DYS DS7's math plan. Will the pull-out allow for adjustments? I'd keep the communication lines open...

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