So - number 1 - write the thankyou note.
My housemate is in his final year of college to become an Exceptional Student Teacher (ESE.) This semester, all of his observational hours have been done at DS's school. We have been able to thank his teacher in person, and have an ongoing rapport with her.
2) Find out what test was used. Let us know.
The person who tested DS is out this week and next week is spring break. I won't have an answer for you for a while. I know that multiplication word problems were a large portion of the test. It seems that it was more of an academic testing than the sort of testing one would get from a private test.
I will say that the testing was done on St. Patrick's day, when DS was dressed up and had a party to look forward to. I don't think the testing time was ideal at all.
3) If there is a Gifted Coordinator, ask her what the program is like, how often it meets and what the content of the program is like. Let us know.
again, this will take at least two weeks. The coordinator is out this week.
4) Find out if there are any alternative routes into the gifted program, such as private testing.
I completely agree. I am currently looking into private testing. I was advised that it is an acceptable alternative.
He is not reading chapter books independently. Housemate is reading to him nightly in order to show him what exists in "real" books vs. books with easily memorized text and pictures. I also allow 30 minutes nightly for him to watch me play the video game with all of the text in it. He mentally *fights* to read during that time as he is desperate to know the plot.
He almost always makes 100% on his tests. However, he has issues with self-control in class. He usually finishes his seatwork so soon, that he has a chance to draw extremely detailed pictures on the back of his work by the time his classmates have finished. This, according to his teacher, usually results in wandering and talking at inappropriate times. He also has small meltdowns when faced with "busy work." I've tried to explain to him that he should view such work as character building experience, as public school is at the least as much about learning to function in society as it is about education. That seemed to help a bit.
It sounds like your family has been through a lot the last few years, and I want to send some love to you for doing the best you could during those trying times. It isn't easy.
Thank you. Yes, we have been through hell and high water and are only now finally settling back into a normal life. I think this is another reason for some of DS's problems.
Love and More Love,
Grinity [/quote]
