We are (still) in process of trying to get DS8 accelerated (3rd to 4th)in Math and Reading for this school year. He was informally accelerated in reading last year in second grade and the teacher he went to for reading will be his third grade teacher, so she already knows him. We finally met her last night at open house and I am cautiously optimistic about this year. Last year she relayed some concern of "immaturity " to his second grade teacher as an issue with his acceleration. She brought it up outside DS earshot last night and her concern is this -- when DS gets excited about something new he gets very worked up, excited voice, waving his arms, etc. She said she saw the other boys giving each other sidelong glances of "what is this kid doing?" and she is concerned that if he were to be placed in a fourth grade classroom it could put him in a situation where he could face bullying.
I am not so sure I agree that her concern would be a reason to NOT accelerate him. Is it appropriate to hold a child back because "it's not cool for boys to act like that"? Or is that something on which the teacher needs to educate the boys in his new classroom? Or is DS in fact immature? Which WOULD be a reason not to accelerate.
Mrs. P
