Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion So far, so good

Miss 4 is trying out the pp/year 1 class today (and for the next 4 Fridays). So far, so good. I was worried when I saw just how many little boys were in the class this morning. Eek! But the girls slowly drifted in. Some of the boys look HUGE in comparison but she looked like she was enjoying herself and taking things in her stride (-- wish I could say the same of me!). A little nerve wracking, I have to admit. But just thinking about an alternative option for next year if the grade skipping doesn't work made me feel a little better and allowed me to let go of the outcome.

Fingers crossed that she's having a good time and enjoying the look and feel for what may be her classmates in 2009. Only 2 hours left til pick up... jojo

So glad to hear that Miss 4 is giving it a try. How how she has fun.

What alternatives are availible to you.

((I hate to point this out, but with these kids, they could fit great for 3 months and then be in trouble, so try to enjoy every good day without being so worried about if good days now signal a good fit for next year.))

Grinity

Well that optimism was short-lived!

Miss 4 was just wonderful. She was resilient, flexible and robust. There were no tantrums, toilet accidents or hiding under desks - my worst fears. She did so amazing well. At day's end though her teacher conceded that she had deep reservations about accelerating her because of her emotional maturity. There's nothing more that Moo could have done. She has the lifskills of a 4 year old with a PG brain.

I couldn't have been more depressed...

But when I got home, hubby was sprightly. He had attended a presentation with a visiting specialist and felt like the penny had dropped. He's confident and self-assured, while I'm feeling hopeless and blindsided. Given the school suggested that Miss 4 attend this class 1 day per week to transition for next year, I assumed that they understood giftedness. I wasn't expecting to hear "let her be a little girl while she can"...

Alternatives? Well, I don't legally have to register as a hs until she's 6. Perhaps she can go to school part time next year, and hs the rest?

My gut tells me that I have to develop a helluva lot more resilience myself. As a non-confrontationalist from way back, I guess I was hoping that gaining understanding would involve less fighting.

My silver lining today is that I've organised for the visiting specialist to come over to my house this morning to do a small group workshop with a few other mums. Hopefully I'll be singing a different tune in a few hours and be as optimistic and hopeful as my husband!!!!

jojo

Hi Jojo,
I hope your workshop went well.

Did Miss 4 enjoy her day at school?

Personally I think part time school is very appealing.

The teacher might have seen something real, or just what her preconceptions showed her. It's very difficult to sort that one out.

Good news is that you don't have to decide anything today. I think developing more personal resilience is a wonderful goal. For me, undestanding myself as an Excitable Gifted Adult went a long way toward developing that resilience, I hope that works for you too!

Weirdly, I got off the emotional rollercoaster by finally getting to see and know the tracks and the layout. I wouldn't say that I'm impreterbable now, far from it, but I have emails from 5 years ago where every so often I would just feel like a total desperate mess. Now I get tired sometimes, and isolate sometimes, but no where near the 'highs and lows' of the old days.

Love and More Love,
Grinity

Thanks Grinity for your support I'm going to have to wait it out until the end of term (4 more weeks)before making a decision about acceleration. In the event that we decide against grade-skipping, I've been brainstorming alternatives for 2009. What do you think of my list? Anything I've missed?

� A part time aide that would work with Miss 4 during maths/literacy to extend her, perhaps an hour or so a day supposing I could find someone?
� Subject acceleration where she would visit the 1-2 class for maths/literacy?
� Part time school where she would attend 3 days per week but homeschool 2 days?
� Compact the curriculum so she does pp and yr 1 in one year so that she�s ready to accelerate in 2010 when she�s more socially and emotionally mature?

Any other suggestions? Unfortunately, full time homeschooling isn't an option financially (unless we sell up and move to the country!) A combined pp/year 1 class would be ideal, if only I could convince the school to change their class structure just to suit me!!!!!!! jojo

jojo,

What exactly is a pp/year 1 class? I am not aware of this one. Thanks!

Sorry about the shorthand. In Australia, we have a pre-primary class (for 5 year olds) and then grade 1. Bit confusing, I know... jojo

Nice List!
I would also include part time homeschooling where she goes to school for several hours each day - depends on how your school works and transportation. She might enjoy the art/music/P.E. parts of school.

You can also homeschool full time by hiring a babysitter during the day who might or might not be able to supervise some of the work. You really don't need 6 hours a day to homeschool. Or babysitter + tutor. Or babysitter + homeschool co-op. Or two babysitters so that if one is sick the other can take up the slack. If there is a University around, you might have a nice babysitting pool?

Smiles,
Grinity

Hmmmm.... and I've just given up my nanny in the thought that my daughters would both be at school full time next year!!! Doh...

I don't think part time school would work because I really need 3 fairly solid days (during school hours) to earn $$ But it's good to be thinking outside the box!!!

jojo

Seems to me that if you can afford to keep your Nanny around, and you and the girls like her, keep her! Even kids who are in school seem to spend large amounts of time home sick with various germs. Maybe you could trade one of your evening chores to the Nanny while you do an hour of homeschooling after work?

Just a thought,
Grinity