Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Seeking Math Enrichment: What to do next?

So, I could use some advice on how to advocate for my DS8 (2nd grade). I am trying to get some math enrichment for him and have thus far been unsuccessful with the classroom teacher. First, let me say, I am unsure of his LoG. Private testing is not an option financially right now and our school does not do MAP testing or any out of grade level testing. The only standardized testing he has taken is the CogAT (which is the first step towards GT id), but we have not received the results yet. However, he definitely fits the gifted definitions I have found. His real strength, IMO, is logic and reasoning so he just needs to be introduced to a math concept and picks it up almost immediately. He also shows a real knack for applying what he knows to new situations/scenarios. I have no doubt that given the opportunity he could be working a couple of grade levels ahead. What limited assessments he does receive from the school show him at the top of the curve and "secure" on all concepts presented including the ones they are not expected to be secure on yet. If our school had a pull out math enrichment program, it would be a no brainer. But there isn't. GT program doesn't start until 3rd and there is also an accelerated math starting then too.

So I am left with advocating for him with the classroom teacher, which has thus far gotten me nowhere. She insists that she is already differentiating for him and it appears she feels nothing else is needed. I asked if he could just get some different worksheets for homework (which is not graded anyway). She said he is welcome to turn in additional worksheets, but he still needs to do the regular homework.(I don't want him to have MORE homework, just more challenging work. He has OT one night a week, wrestling, which helps with his SPD, two nights a week, and still fits in reading and spelling work)

When I told him about the PT conference, he asked me to ask the teacher if he could get some harder math. Now I feel like if I can't make that happen I will be letting him down.

DH thinks we should just let it go, enrich him at home more, and wait until next year. But his intensity and perfectionism often makes teaching him at home difficult for me and our schedule is already pretty full. Plus, the school's mission statement says "we will provide each child with curriculum that stimulates intellectual curiosity and leads him or her to develop into a productive and responsible citizen."

I know these mission statements are generally just words not practice, but I feel like they ought to be held to it. But I am not sure if I am ready to go over the teacher's head to the principal yet. DS had a really rough year last year with a really awful teacher and this one is a huge step up from that.

So, do I let it go? Or keep pushing? I am just not sure right now. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Argh, I lost what I wrote. Short and sweet - I would keep pushing, were it me. Your DS sounds similar to mine in terms of personality and interests. A year is a long time in an 8yo's life, and he's asking for more challenge.

Could you work with the teacher or administration to get him accelerated to 3rd grade math? I don't understand why schools are so against it - instead of having to worry about differentiating in the classroom or having a parent on their case, the teacher can send the child off to another teacher for an hour and solve the problem. It works wonderfully (at least, in our case).

What about simply not turning in the homework, since it's not graded?

I'd talk with the teacher one more time and let her know your son really wants more math challenge, here are your suggested solutions, and let her know gently that you will talk to the administration about accelerating him, or whatever it is that you'd like to do, if she's not able to work with you on a solution. It can be done in a collaborative manner, while still making your point.

I'd love to find out what you do! Sounds very much like my DS7 (2nd grade as well.) One the 2 MAP tests he's taken he's gotten 98% and 96%. He's actually spoken up and asked the teacher when they were going to start doing multiplication and division. He's so very bored in math class, and for no good reason! His school has the same line yours does about him being able to do additional work, but still having to complete all the basic work as well. THIS MAKES ZERO SENSE TO ME.

Its an everyday math thing. Even though its a spiral curriculum and the same things are reviewed every year, they just won't accelerate. I am in the same boat with ds 6 kinder. And we have MAP tests to show he needs more.

LNE, try the website I sent you. Ds loves it already! I went to "lets Learn' and bought some tools to pull that program off line. I might try to convince hubby to let me buy the basic program. I will share. It doesn't cost much more to get a second set.

LNEsmom, sounds like you may be in Everyday Math curriculum, per frannieandejsmom's post. My DS6 is in Everyday Math, accelerated by one grade. He's taking 2nd grade math, and his math teacher is sending home differentiated homework. It does exist for that math curriculum - although if your DS is really working a grade level or more ahead, the advanced homework is probably still not going to give him the challenge he's looking for.

Frannieandejsmom, we got our DS accelerated into 1st grade Everyday Math in October of his K year. One other little boy in his grade moved into 1st grade math in March of their K year. Our school accelerates a few kids by one or two grades in math each year, and it works out well - although scheduling can be difficult. If you think your school would listen to info on how it works in other schools, I'm happy to talk via PM and provide more info.

[quote=Coll]What about simply not turning in the homework, since it's not graded?

quote]

Coll, I did seriously consider this, but I fear that it might send the wrong message (you don't always have to do your homework) and it feels like it would be undermining the authority of the teacher, so I haven't done that yet. But I also feel like, yes its a waste of time, its not graded, so what's the point?!

Here is what I am thinking of doing:
I have sent an email to the district GT PTA asking if they could put me in contact with some GT parents at our school. Since DS is my oldest, I don't know any of these families and wonder if maybe they might have some experience advocating in the school that would be helpful. The PTA president said she would check the books and get back to me.

I am also considering just calling up the GT teacher and asking for help. I have talked to her a couple of times in the past, so I feel comfortable calling her. I just worry that it might be awkward or seem like I am trying to put her in the middle of a conflict between me and the teacher, which is not my intention. And there really isn't a conflict, it's more like she just doesn't recognize the same needs for him that I do.

I was also considering offering to come in and do the enrichment myself, not just for him but for any other 2nd graders who need it. Not sure how that would go over, though, since I felt from her last email that she didn't really want me in the classroom! Hmm, maybe that is what I should go to the GT teacher with?

When do you get your CoGat scores? You may be able to use a good quantitative score to advocate for different math. We did this when my teacher-pleaser DD was in 1st grade. The entire first semester of that school year DD told me that math was boring and that the best part about math was that she didn't have to think. When I conveyed the substance of her comments to the teacher, I got ignored. After DD came back with a perfect score on the quantitative section of CoGat, the teacher finally tried some different math with DD. Overall, the teacher starting asking more of DD and, "Surprise!" DD met every new challenge with ease. By the end of first grade, that teacher was the biggest advocate for DD moving into a GT class.

As for free options for math enrichment, DS7 likes http://www.mathplayground.com/

Thanks Knute974, that is a cool site!

Oh, and I am not sure when we get the CogAT scores, but I think pretty soon.

Coll.. I spoke at great length with the district's math director. Ds (kinder) scored 190 on fall math MAP. he will absolutely NOT accelerate . Ds multiplies/ divides.; adds fractions and compound fractions. We started an algebra online program ast night that he LOVES.
We are testing him on the 22nd with WISC and WIAT. I am hoping test results will get us somewhere , even if it means we have to go private.

I have to tell you, that while I agree not doing homework might send the wrong message, I might go that route if I had exhausted my other options. Instead, I would tell the child they still have to do "homework," but replace what is assigned by the teacher with an equivilent amount at the child's proper level. If they don't like it, they can come talk to you about it...