Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Advice for grade placement

My ds8.5 (turns 9 in Nov.) has been attending a virtual public school, this year we will complete and it will make 2 years with the virtual school. They have been great b/c they have allowed my ds to move at his pace in both math and Language Arts and this year they even skipped him a grade in both b/c of an achievement test he took. So, currently he is in 4th for Science, Social, Health, PE, Latin. 5th for Language Arts (grammar, spelling, vocabulary, writing) and 6th grade for Math (Pre-Algebra A).

My issue is that at the end of this school year we will be switching him to a brick and mortar public school. The issue will be what grade to put him into b/c we don't believe that they will place him into 5th, 6th, & 7th grade. We have talked about putting him into all of 6th grade (if they will allow it) but my husband is concerned that he will get picked on b/c of his height. I am more concerned b/c he is an overemotional child. I don't want to hold back hid education b/c of his emotions but don't know how he will handle himself nor the other kids in 6th grade having a child who is that age of 4th graders.

Any suggestions on getting a handle on his emotions? Any books? I know some kids kids picked on so that really doesn't bother me to much.

Kathy-Texas

I'm loving a book currently called 'Transforming the Difficult Child' by Howard Glasser, 2008 edition. There is also a workbook to go with it.

It might sound odd to 'make a rule about over reacting,' but in this context were you are giving a ton and a half of praise for every bit of 'non-over reacting' your child does, I think it makes sense.

Will you child over-react to your calling him on it when he breaks the rule about 'no over-reacting?' Sure he will. But my hunch is that he will get the hang rather quickly that there is more 'fabulous' out of life when he puts his attention on 'what's right' than on 'what's wrong.'

Let me know how it goes, ok?

Grinity