Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments PT school

Hi, I am new around here. I have been lurking and reading all the posts and it feels so nice to have people out there who "get it".

My son struggled so hard this past fall in first grade. He is a young 1st grader with a summer bday. He tried so hard to get his teacher to look his way and acknowledge his ability, but she continually picked apart his handwriting. Since he absolutely cannot sit still for more than 10 mins (which is an eternity if you ask me), she was very displeased with his maturity level and his constant questions. She told us at conferences that he had a hard time following directions. Her example: She asked the class to write the numbers from 1-100. My DS wrote the #s to 130 just for fun. She was very upset he didn't follow the rules even though most of the kids couldn't even write to 100 and my son told her he could add them all together and give her the sum if she wanted. This really made her upset and really bothered us. The situation got much worse and we ended up pulling him. He is doing great at home school, loves to learn and be challenged.

Anyways, the neighbor district just wrote me and said they would love the opportunity to work with him. They are willing to grade-skip him and adjust the other courses around his needs. They are even willing to start him off PT to reassure him that school can be fun. We are so scared that he will have another bad experience, but on the other hand this is a kid who self taught himself all about atoms and I cannot keep up with his thirst. I can handle the math and LA, some physics and biology, but not chemistry. My DH is 100% on board with whatever I decide. He was very apprehensive of homeschooling, but who can argue with results and a happy, eager-to-learn child. So, have any of you enrolled your kiddos back into PS PT? Good or bad? Thanks so much! What a journey we are all on huh?

Heidi

Have you talked with your son about the idea? I think a lot would depend on his comfort level. The fact that this district actually sought your son out and is already agreeing on acceleration and is offering to be flexible is pretty amazing. Many of us on this board are in districts who would love to have us disappear so that they don't have to do things out of the norm. I think it would be hard to compare your situation where the district actually *wants* to work with you to one where the district does not really like making accomodations for gifted children.

I should clarify. I sought her out when we were having problems. She (the principal) has a MA in Gifted Education. I believe she is trying to get a really respectable gifted education program off the ground to get some attention on a state level. She mentioned something about that. However, I have not seen anything even remotely close to this on the forums so I just have my doubts. Of course if I live next door to Oz, then maybe you all can relocate here. lol My son's response is, "I want to go to a school that will teach to my brain not my age."

Welcome Heidi,
So very glad you could join us!

I would first spend some time observing the possible teacher and classrooms that DS would join. I love the idea of starting PT. I guess that it certianly might not work, but this is one of those times when I would encourage you to try it on the basis that it would help so many others if it works. In fact I might consider having a little talk with DS and see if he wants to be a pioneer and trailblazer for other gifted kids who are going through what he went through. That gives him an out if things do go bad, which is both good AND bad, so think carefully first.

Let's face it, I doubt that he is going to get Chemistry before Middle School and I'm guessing that he is already past Middle School level chemistry. (I'm thinking he might be ready for 'The Teaching Company' Programs on chemistry - maybe the school will buy some for him to watch? Or your local public library?) I'd also check 'Spark Notes' on Chemistry - as they have a 'simple, direct' approach that is more business-like than a High School text book. Much more white space on their pages. Loads of facts.

Anyway - so glad you had the good sense to pull him from the kindy situation - how sad!

Smiles,
Grinity

I have to admit, it does sound too good to be true. But some schools are just that good. It's understandable to have doubts about PS working given your last experience and some of the maddening stories we hear about on this board. Sounds like there are some pros to this school:
- A principal who actually knows something about gifted ed.
- The principal is not afraid of radical acceleration.
- They're willing to do part time! (I'm drooling here, BTW )
- It's free

And a caveat:

A gifted learner who is accelerated still learns differently, so you have to be okay with your DS perhaps spending some time on material below his level. The acceleration will "take the edge off". But you'll have time to make up for any underchallenge at home. I think having that perfect challenge level for the whole year may be a lot to ask for.

Could you have a face-to-face talk to the principal to see if they would be able to do an IEP every year?

We just finished an IEP meeting today for my daughter to attend PT for ELA, music and spanish. I will be responsible for math, science, and history plus the electives of art and gym (our YMCA has a great homeschool gym and swim program). She begged to be homeschooled but seems very happy with this plan. This will allow her to work close to her age level in writing, since she is on a more normal track there. It will force her to read below her level but that isn't necessarily a bad thing when you think of the content of reading books for high school students. The school just couldn't accomodate her other subjects and I worried that more grade skips would soon wear themselves out since she just moves through the content so quickly. We are considering some enrichment classes with Northwesterns Gifted and Talented Youth program this summer and maybe some futue EPGY courses.

I would really look at a school willing to do this for your son. It sounds like it could be the solution for us. The school has really worked hard to make this work. This is a totally new approach for this school district as well and a complete turn around in attitude from previous years. My DD is meeting with the school counselor and speech and language therapist Friday to work out answers to questions she might be asked about her day being "different" since she will only attend for the first three hours and will be done before lunch. She will start on Monday.

Thank you for the advice. Jool an IEP every year or even 6 months is a great idea. I will definitely ask for that. Mel how old is your dd? I think that I will ask for the same, especially handwriting and spelling for DS. Maybe PE too. Please let me know how it goes. Grinity thanks so much for the info on Chemistry. I suppose I will have to read some of it to him since he reads at a 2nd-3rd grade level. Maybe someone knows of a visual curriculum? I can be tolerant of some below level curricula but son is not so much. He has this "crazy" idea that school is for learning. He gets very frustrated when he isn't learning new info. Imagine that a school where you learn????

This sounds so cool! How did you find out the principal has a MA in Gifted Ed? I'm going to start searching.

P.S. Did she say WHY she wanted your son and is willing to make these accommodations? If not, I would ask because it may give you a better picture of what it will be like. Off to dream about Oz...

The principal is really trying hard to get a good gifted program going on at her school because a Senator lives in the town and stops in to check on things. They have already advanced several students and made lots of other accomodations. I went in and talked with her specifically asking her what her knowledge of gifted children was. That was when she told me about her MA Degree from St. Kate's in MN, I believe. She was very knowledgeable about the characteristics. I do not live in her district so would she get $$ for my son enrolling, even PT?

Heidi,

Your situation sounds really similar to mine. My story is posted on the "Trinity Hall of Fame". The school sought me out and asked for a chance. Things have worked out great for us.

Tell the principal that you are more than willing to discuss the situation and see what they put together. Be honest, let them know that if it's not a good fit, you'll bring him back home. You might be surprised, there are some good programs out there. With the principal's support, you should be able to work out something that your son will really enjoy. Voice your concerns, but be flexible. My DS6 schedule changed 4 times before we all felt like we had it right. They even asked him for his input when considering changes. It can be done!