Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion DS feeling sad about school

When what you're doing isn't getting the desired results, it's time to try something different.
Go to the teacher and say, "DS is SERIOUSLY SAD. It seems to be centered around coming to school. <insert what he likes about school>, so I'm trying to get input from everyone here to understand what is causing such unhappiness with school. I think we need to act quickly before it forms a pattern of disliking school."

Teachers do not like unhappy children. Keeping children happy seems to be a top priority of teachers. If the teacher can brainstorm(with subtle guidance from you!) and realize the root of the child's unhappiness is a lack of challenge, then the teacher will buy into providing the challenge much quicker. After all, the teacher wants happy children in her class.

haha, kcab sneaked the emotional angle in before I finished my post! I knew someone else likes to bring it up, I forgot it was Grinity.

I agree with Dottie--don't rely on NCLB testing to indicate what a kid needs. DS scored 32 on ACT in English at 12, but rated "proficient" with state test. Not reliable.

I also agree with OHG--approach the teacher with your son's emotions. They go far.

Do you have charter schools in your area? After trying with the teacher, you might investigate other options, not just private.

Thank you every one!

"Make sure you let him know he can share his worries about the job loss with you and make sure there are extra hugs for everyone!" -- very good advice. I am sure he has picked up on the stress at home.

His teacher this year seems sincere and sweet. I will schedule a meeting and start off with the emotional angle. Last year, I foolishly met with the teacher and showed the IQ score and achievement score. I know what it means. The teacher didn't seem to. And seemed offended by talk about giftedness. The teacher said he could tell that DS was a child on the verge of tuning out of school -- but then he didn't give him anything challenging.

Even with KNOWING DS' IQ and achievement test score, principal refused to allow a grade skip in math, after stringing me along with endless meetings. She asked for the Iowa Acceleration Manual that I had mentioned, then said they would schedule a test on their own, Board of Ed out of level test, then decided not to do anything.

His school has a great cheap afterschool program that he really enjoys, with a variety of classes, homework time, and free play time. We decided to let him stay in it for now, since he gets so much out of it. We will probably reconsider in December if job offers are not roling in for DH and we need to economize.

In afterschool, DS is taking karate and just had his first Chinese class today. He was really excited about that and was telling me all the words and symbols he had learned. It will be once a week on Friday. He is always so happy when he learns something and it really helped his mood.

OM goodness! I just nodded off while I was typing this! Head straight back, mouth open, (drooling :O) I wasn't DOK because my head was back too far!

Exhaustion is why I didn't check in last night. Thanks so much for your concern and words of encouragement and advice! You are great!

bk1