Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments This is good news, right?

I bit the bullet and emailed ds' K teacher last night (my anxiety could no longer be restrained) and asked what the procedures were for assessing achievment levels and asking advice on how to procede with an early reader/math kid in K.

She answered me in less than 12 hours (kudos, I know she's a mom of 2). She was very kind in her response and not too-syrupy about my ds (which would smack of condescention). She said that the curent testing will only identify below-level kids, and that there are a few assessments they use to test for reading level (will not be completely done until October). She said that there truly is not a math asssessment that will point to where ds is.

She explained that she has several very-advanced kids this year (as opposed to maybe one) and was excited to be able to do greater differentiation with them as a group. She explained she uses 'challenge packets' that she assigns them (starting next week) which have advanced work to replace the basic homework and basic school work. She said the library books go up to 8th grade reading (we go to a k-2 school), so she will help ds to find age-appropriate reading, and suggested we start the AR program as an incentive to keep up his reading.

She was very positive about how he was fitting in socially, and did not see the 'emotional sensitivity' that we were so concerned about in not pushing for early entrance to K last year.

So, she at least receives as A for being smart enough to somewhat quelch a mom's anxiety. I really don't think she was just stroking my ego - I hope not. What do you think? Do 'most' teachers give the same song and dance, or does it seem (from the minute info I've given, lol) that she really seems to be a teacher who tries to differentiate the learning of her students?

My ds is going to be over the moon to get a 'challenge packet'...even if the work is still too easy, it will be a huge boost to his ego. She said we can tailor the work to be more difficult as needed.

Phew, I'm tired from angst. At least the dialogue has begun.

The positives here are that she gave specifics: Reading levels in October. Challenge packets next week. Reading levels in the library.

Follow through is tough even for the most organized, well-meaning teacher. When I start to see a lack of follow through, I send an email asking for clarification and then ask if I can do anything to make the process easier for her.

For now, I'd give her a chance. See what happens in coming weeks, and let your DS enjoy the process of adjusting to kindergarten.

I think it sounds good. I love the fact that a k-2 school has books up to grade 8 in the library

I too heard the "we have several advanced readers in the class" when DD started KG, but I was never given specifics about how it would be handled. At least at the end of grade one she was given French chapter books to take home to read, so that was something.

I think your DS could be with the right teacher if she's excited about group differentiating the clever kids. Time will tell, but so far it sounds good

I think it sounds good! I might have to steal the challenge packet idea for my dd in kindy. I agree with the follow-through comment. Hopefully this bodes well!

How often do they go to the library? Can he check out books? To read when?

Can he do something else during basic phonics work? (I assume he is reading well.)

Do they have advanced books in the classroom?

(They had advanced books in DD's library as well--but they hardly ever went there. The ones in the classroom went up to very easy chapter books, like 2nd grade level, which I think were brought in just for her. They were bad, like "Barbie Has a Party" sort of thing. The higher level picture books were better, honestly. More should have been done. Also, she was not allowed to sit out "The rat is on the mat," which was a crime. She entered K reading at about a 4th grade level, give or take.)

I think it sounds good!!! Will it work out "good" - only time will tell, so keep up with what's happening... but also relax and let it unfold a bit too. If the challenging packets don't seem to be challenging enough, add some challenge yourself for your ds. If he's bringing home books that seem too easy, keep him supplied with challenging books from your public library and send them to school with him for silent reading time.

Also keep up the good communication you've started with his teacher - she seems to genuinely care, so assume she does care

If you want to have a good idea what's happening in the classroom and have time to volunteer, you can also use this as an opportunity to offer to volunteer in a way you can help keep your ds challenged - depending on what you like to do, you could offer to work with the group of advanced students in either math or reading for 1-2 sessions every week during the regular reading/math time. Or you could volunteer just to be a general helper in the classroom during reading or math - I used to do this with reading for my dd and writing for my ds - I didn't work with them directly or exclusively, but by being in the classroom working wherever the teacher needed me I got a great perspective on where all the kids were at compared to my kids.

polarbear

I don't know how my nerves could handle this transition without this board! Thanks everyone for the input. I really do hope she will follow through on these things and is not just blowing smoke you know where. She's an experienced teacher but does not seem burnt out (at least in the time I've been in the class). She's very calm and clear (unlike the typical "perky" kindy teacher I would imagine). At least she's thrown me a bone.


They haven't gone to the library yet, so not sure how that works. We have an amazing local library near us (and my ds is well-known by the children's librarian)...so if we have to go there to get what he needs we will. I did ask permission for ds to bring in his own books during their "quiet time" (some of the kids actually nap). So, ds has been bringing in his geopgraphy/science/how-this-works kind of books for over a week now. He says he reads them for their rest time but no other time. Right now, all of his silly phonic worksheets have elaborate drawings and writings on the back that he does when he's finished(cracks me up, actually). I'm hoping that the 'challenge work' can be done instead of or in addition to this work instead of my ds doodling. I imagine she would not be upset if he read his books if he was finished with his work. The classroom books are pretty basic (from what I've seen). I have no issues with sending a slew of more advanced books for the class if necessary. I found a garage sale this past spring with a former home-school mom who was liquidating her library. Every book and resource: $.25 to $.50! I got at least 20 science-fact type books, 10 Magic School Bus books, and even these amazing logic-puzzle Usborne workbooks (those I'll keep at home ).

I do feel like I've been holding my breath since school started, so it feels good to take a breath again. We have been told by virtually everyone (friends, clients, neighbors) that this school is the finest around. We live in a college-town and 'bedroom community' with lots, LOTS of highly educated physicians, executives, and the like. Surely (surely?) they've handled advanced kids before.

I love Usborne. My kids had/have a lot of them

(singing) Memorieeeesss.....

Oh, the beautiful works of art that came home on the back of DD's worksheets. I even saved a few. Honestly, you just made me realize that hey, work does not come home with artwork all over it anymore. Child is not constantly waiting for everyone else to catch up any longer.

Send in some books. I bet the teacher will be thrilled.

My DD didn't dislike K. By the end of first, though, she was tired of walking in tiny circles all day long.

We have a boatload of Highlights magazines (my inlaws have gone a little mad with them)....and I was trying to figure what to do with them (I was originally saving them for dd...but she has her own plentiful supply as well). So I offered those to the teacher, since they have a broad range of reading levels (some are High Fives, some are Highlights, some are Puzzle Books, some are Geography). She was excited and gracious to get them - I'm excited to know ds has a variety of levels available in class. Hoping that I'm paving a good working relationship with his teacher. She's amazingly kind. I'm curious what "challenge" the challenge packets will be.