I am looking for more he can do that keeps him busy using his time well without isolation or without more books and stuff to keep track of.
Hi OTGmom,
I'm so sorry that your son isn't a normal average boy. He really just isn't. You kind of have to choose between keeping him learning at his readiness level and keeping him looking 'average, or at least normal.' Some kids just don't have the temperment to let you choose - they act out if things aren't right. Some are more pliant and let you choose. Of those, some eat themselves up inside and some are perfectly fine.
I really think that you should revisit the gradeskip option with some additional subject accelerations, or consider homeschooling if possible. Lots of times people see the '9th grade level' and think 'what is the point of going to 4th grade when they are at a 9th grade level?'
There are 2 points -
1) It establishes a precedent of 'this is a kid who has a unique developmental path, and we are going to give him a unique journey through the school system.
2) There may be other kids in the 4th grade who are reading at a 9th grade, or at least a 7th grade level. Theortically, more kids in 4th grade than in 3rd grade.
3) He may suddendly become more popular because more kids 'get his jokes' in 4th grade.
4) He suddenly seem more mature, because lots of the triggers for his immature behavior are probably bordom and condesention - both of which decrease as he moves upward in grade.
In otherwords - if you want him to be busy and not isolated, do everything you can to make sure he is learning at his readiness level, and surround him with kids who are as similar as possible to him.
I hope I'm not being a nag here, if so, consider me talking to the lurker who is sitting 'behind' you and identifying with your post, ok?
Smiles,
Grinity
