I thought I would update on this. The teacher has DS independently reading a Newbery winner that is probably around 4th or 5th grade level and completing some text questions and analysis. I did not request this--she came up with it on her own. smile He still is doing some other grade-level reading and writing work, but seems to be excused from at least some of it. He's excited about this book but has withering scorn for the grade-level work.