Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Elementary School Kindergarten 2009-2010

JJsMom- we made a deal with our DS last year when he refused to tell me about his school day. We would ask three questions about his day that he had to answer then we would drop it. In the beginning, I'd ask one super silly question just to warm him up. "Did Ms. Smith stand on her head today?" After the requisite eye roll . . . I'd then ask two more questions. Then, I'd follow through with my promise to stop. I would encourage DS to ask me three questions about my day which sometimes caused him to spill a bit more about his day too.

You also may want to try playing the "high/low" game at dinner time where everyone says their favorite and least favorite thing that happened in the day. "Tell me the high point of your school day." "What was the low point?" This can be really great for perfectionist kids so they can see that everyone has struggles daily.

I like the three questions idea, though he did tell me he'd tell me about his day tomorrow. ha. We do the high/low thing at bed time usually, but he will tell me things like "I didn't like getting up so early" and "I loved helping you do this or that" instead of anything about school. but I suppose I could make it to be about school/work.

DD3.5 has also started the "I don't feel like/want to tell you about my day". ha!

I really love reading about everyone else but I have the BEST news EVER!!!! Well at least based on the school experience we've had over the past 12 months (a watered down version of advocacy hell)...

Wolf's Independent Study teacher met with him today to set up curriculum and right off the bat she passed him up to 1st (I wasn't expecting that till the semester). He's getting all 1st work and a subject acceleration in math to 2nd. He has the go ahead to work through it as fast as he wants to also! If he finishes he can just go on to the next grade in that subject!!! Also there are enough little kids to have a weekly class and it is scheduled perfectly for our schedule! He's even getting to start Spanish and ASL. I am SO happy. Wolf got everything he needed and wanted.

I know that IS lets you work at your own pace, but after the horror of last year's dealing with our home district this is just too much for words!!!

DS7 was very much like this. I called him my little teenager at the time. What'd you do at school? "Nothing" Who'd you play with? "No one", etc. So, I started asking really detailed questions like, "So, was Jonny the silliest person in your class today?" He will finally tell me a few things, though it has taken a few years. I think he likes thinking of home and school as separate. I also find that if I throw out the best thing that happened question at bedtime, when he's relaxed, I'll sometimes get more interesting information.

Wyldkat: That all sounds fabulous! Congrats!

That's fantastic, Wyldkat!

Yay!

That is great news Wyldkat. I missed most of this story and you said your district was bad, is this a private school or a new development in the district program?

Today is DS5's first day. I'm getting a (mild) migraine (complete with aura) to celebrate. DS5 is cranky and difficult. He hates all his shorts, and he got breakfast all over his good shirt already.

It's going to be a loooooong day! I'm really hoping this is not foreshadowing the rest of the year.

Griping over. Thanks for letting me whine. Here's to a good day!

Good luck!

Great news, Wyldkat.

Good luck, Kriston. Does DS5 have the same teacher like DS8?