Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Maybe I'm being too impatient?

I keep looking to really find the right answer for my Ds (in 3rd) and still just don't know. It's all a bit scarey.

Today he was telling me enrichment is too easy. I said would you like it if you can go up a grade or 2 for enrichment? No, I already have enough work to do. I said it does not have to mean more work just more challenge. He said, No again he has enough work to do. He has it in his head more challenge is more work and I can't say I blame him for not trusting any more. IF the gifted teacher working 2 to 1 doesn't give him what he needs there I don't think anyone will.

I even question if explore results will change her perspective. Maybe I'm being too impatient? She wrote me a note on his Mindware Math Book he did great and that her 5th Graders were having trouble with this. She did enter 3rd Graders (no other grades) in a math contest which show DS as top student in his grade. I really don't think it's that she is uncaring. Maybe she is influenced by the pricipal by holding him back?

When DS was doing his 5 digits Math for 1st time at school, this year, I said oh good some more challenging math. He said it's the same as single digits just more work and was not happy. He could do this work in K.

It seems like He feels hurt by this situation. Just needed to vent..
I'm probally the biggest winer here please don't kick me out of the club.

I still have things to do which helps - take explore, look at IOWA accelloration, check out more schools I can't afford, talk to DYS soon. Could anyone tell me if I'm getting closer?

I feel so bad he is doing so much work that is just not interesting or challenging. Even though adjustments have been made in his workload, it's just not good. Looks like too much repetions to me. I think he feels betrayed and my fight for him made it worse. I don't think he will buy into being challenged at school more because it wasn't done right.

It feels like going up two grades may feel like too much work and going up a grade will not be enough challenge. I'm so sad but it feels like we need to go some where else but I'm not sure we have anyplace to go that we can afford. Today he said he wishes there was more play time at school. Next month he will have chess club so hopefully that will help.

Since I am new here, I am unfamiliar with your ds's whole situation. I am fortunate to be able t do public cyber charter school at home with my ds. I honestly believe that home schooling or public school at home is the best way to individualize schooling for a gifted child or any child for that matter. I tried both private and regular public school for my ds without success. I never thought that I would be doing school at home in a million years, but here I am . If your situation allows it, then it may be an option to consider for your child.

What do they do in enrichment? It sounds like they're just giving him more work and making it seem like it's more challenging. More work doesn't equal more challenging but some schools don't seem to see that.

Have you talked to the teacher or principal about giving him even more challenging work to do but not actually a heavier workload?

The teacher thinks all of his work is essential. She gave up one cursive handwriting page for repeating spelling words. He has 100% in spelling last 3 years. The G&T teacher thinks his Math is challenging enough. She cut his work load of 4th grade Math in half but it's still so much review for him. The principal thinks everything is fine and I should not be too conserned about him saying he is is bored. The G&T teacher said he can not bring in a different Math with more depth. The school believes this Math prepare kids well for HS. She thinks pretests are not enough of a measure becuase there is more to know they what is measured on a paper and pencil test. UGH!

When you get this battle figured out tell me. I'm in the same position

If we could only get the Math right that would be a great thing. If they don't want to accellorate then if we could just condense it down to almost nothing and do his own parent provided enrichment that would make him happier. Also a better use of his time.

I have to laugh at this one--it's exactly what DS7 and I both think about the longer math problems! If you can do two-digits, you can do any number of digits--it's all the same!

It sounds like they don't have a clue what he needs. Why would he need to do more work if he's already got the subject mastered.

Would they consider doing EPGY in the classroom?

They will not allow his own math. They will allow enrichment Math. This gives me a starting point. I just need to get that math down to almost nothing. He will take the explore test in January. Hopefully the school can relate to this information.

hi onthegomom,
I think you hit the nail on the head near the end of your post - he needs to be interested in the stuff he's doing, otherwise it's not stretching him (even though it may seem obvious that doing 'harder' stuff is doing him good). To spark his interest is to hit the gold mine of learning.
All the best.