Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Skipping Kindergarten

Shelly,

Your DS sounds so much like mine it's funny. Although my DS is officially listed as a K, he only spends recess, lunch and the last 15 minutes of the day in his K room. The rest of the day he rotates through various grades and subjects. He had a little trouble in the beginning because he got tired towards the end of the day, but now he is loving it. I spoke to the principal about skipping to 2nd or possibly 3rd next year as all of his subjects are at or above that level. I think that even limited amounts of K were good for him as it gave him a chance to learn "how to do school".
I'm waiting for my Iowa Acceleration Scales Manual before I push the issue of skipping but at first glance it seems like it would work for him. You might suggest something similar for your DS and see how the school feels about having daily pullouts.

thanks for the suggestion. I do think that may be a better option. Especially since in some areas I would imagine 1st would be boring. So maybe just moving him up levels in certain subjects. I think that they offer that. I have talked with a few parents recently in the district that have said they do pullout with their kids. I don't quite get how it works though. Do they just go in the older classes for certain subjects? Don't the other kids wonder why this younger kids is in their class? Not that that part matters much. Thankfully my DS is a big kid so they wouldn't notice much. He could easily pass as a 6yo now. I am glad you are having success with your son's schooling. And BTW, congrats on the DYS!! I didn't know much about it until recently, but I think we may apply after his testing (assuming he meets the criteria).

I think that was very useful, JBDad. I think the long post was very worthwhile!

I know Dr. Ruf thinks that half-day K and skipping 1st grade is often a better solution than skipping 1st grade. But every kid is different, of course. Our K experience was very good and our 1st grade experience was dismal. But we didn't skip at all...

Thanks for sharing your experience JBDad. I like hearing different experiences. When DS is challenged he does get tired more...but when not he can go and go. Since he started his Montessori school he gets more tired on those days. Other days he has boundless energy. So sometimes I think a full day would be way to much for him. Although I work at a school with full day pre-k and they adjust fairly quickly after a couple weeks.

Sometimes I try to build things up with my DS and it always seems like he isn't excited after. But it still gets him to try new things, so that is good. He never really hates anything, but he never acts like he loves anything either. He is odd. Like he will eat something and say "wow mom, this is the most delicious meal I have ever eaten in my life" and I will say thanks, and then a second later he will take a bite and say "I don't really like this". He does stuff like that all the time. He will still eat it though. This isn't just with food though. He will excitedly tell me about how he had a great day, and then will not remember any of it. Today he told me the best part of the day at school was circle time. What was great about it? "the waiting." He said that he had to wait and wait and wait until it was over. That's all I got out of him, because he "couldn't remember" anything else (ie: I don't feel like stopping and thinking and talking about this). Anyhow, I got way off topic. my point was a I build things up, and he gets excited...but it doesn't last long, LOL.

St.PauliG - can you clarify?
Your DS is already 5? then he will be 5 and a half next sept. when K starts?

Also, how are you doing testing through the school if he is not enrolled yet? Or is he?

Thanks,

EW

Yes, DS just turned 5 and would be 5 and a half when school starts. To answer your second question, no he's not enrolled yet, but we contacted the school to give them a heads up, and they suggested this. (oh oh, now i feel like i just got caught doing something and i'm going to be in trouble.) I guess we're just extra lucky?

Yup. Sounds like it to me, extra lucky. So enjoy it!

That's awesome that they offered and you didnt have to jump through any hoops.