THere was a post in another forum which brought this up for me but I can't recall which one. Anyhow, I had DS5's PT K conference last night. Basically, he is similar to his brother and has met all the K goals. So his focus is organization and writing. So rather than give him harder books to read, he will be writing more about the very easy books he's reading during reading group. I liked the work she showed ie his drawing where he has added captions etc. She seems to do fun activities although I still think too many coloring sheets come home. Anyhow, I'm HSing his 3rd grade brother so DS5 has taken a bit of a backseat. He's happy to go to school and enjoys the social scene. He has already questioned what the purpose of going to school is since he doesn't learn anything that he doesn't already know. I asked him how this makes him feel and he said "uncomfortable." But the last few weeks w/ reading groups and writing his own stories he's happier. So my current thoughts are to let things go until which time DS becomes vocal about the situation since he is happy. Teacher already gave the "we don't give 1st grade work in K so that they can do 1st grade work in 1st grade speech" so I don't think I'd really get anywhere. DS5 hasn't been tested and there is no convenient place to have it done. I'd like to wait another year and a half for testing for the WISCIV/WJIII combo. He has a summer birthday.
Yet, my DS8 learned in K that school is not a place to learn. He did have a much better 1st grade year and an ok 2nd grade year but he still didn't view school as a place to learn so I pulled him out this year for HSing. It's been a full quarter and his brain is FINALLY kicking in after years of being underchallenged. His attention span actually got SHORTER so I've been steadily trying to increase the length of time he is able to focus on something. He still complains the work I give him at home is too easy but that's a whole other post!
So, given all the different children, and different schools, and different circumstances, what do you do if child is happy? Since it's K, I'm willing to let it slide this year but perhaps not next year b/c I want him to learn work ethic which comes from being challenged.
