I'm calling the mom tomorrow. *sigh* Calling parents stresses me out. I became a teacher because I deal better with eight year-olds
Well....think of it as a self-train for when you will have to deal with adults to advocate for your own child...that day is coming.
I'm guessing that you are going to like this mom. Just remember that she is likely an unidentified giftie herself.
Remember that
if when she 'tests' you that it isn't that she doesn't like you - she just NEEDS to know if she is dealing with someone as smart as her or someone NOT as smart as her/ and she needs to gauge how you deal with gifties - do you get defensive when she knows something you don't know or delighted?
It's ok if you don't have all the answers. The more you can stay relaxed and confident in what your expertise is while being delighted with the prospect of learning more, the faster you'll get over the prickly protective outside coating. At work I get along with folks that no one else can stand - and my co-workers jaw drops, because we actually seem to be enjoying each other. It's one of my show off tricks at work. Basically I recognize that essentially my ND population wants to be reassured, and my Giftie population wants me to stay friendly and interested even when they ask questions that can't currently be answered. Most unidentified Adult Gifties are treated like they are a bother whenever they interact with any kind of 'system.' Because we are!
Also, if you met with the mom to collect information about the child, and don't feel pressured to 'have a plan' you'll be more likely to be able to be able to relax and get something out of the meeting. You might even give her a copy of
Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
Book with CD-ROM
Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use to Meet the Academic Needs of the Gifted and Talented (Revised, Expanded, Updated)
Susan Winebrenner, M.S.
http://www.freespirit.com/gifted-ed...he-regular-classroom-susan-winebrenner//http://www.susanwinebrenner.com/And ask her to go through and highlight what she thinks is particularly true of her son so that you can focus on the top priorities. The mom may have her own 'wish list' of what parts of school need to be harder - or be willing to provide enrichment help - even if money is tight, libraries might help.
For Math - a wonderful free resource is
http://www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard?kIf the house has Internet, perhaps a parent would be willing to supervise at home and print out practice work to do during Math time in school?
Remember that you don't have to get it all perfect. Kids are very adaptable, just keep trying to figure out where he is and what might be a good next step.
Meanwhile - let us know what your curriculum topics are and this boy's interests and see if we have any ideas for differentiating.
love and more love,
Grinity
