Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Elementary School do i push for mid-year grade skip?

Ok here goes:

- DD7 is in 2nd grade. Her teacher is FANTASTIC. She has individual reading group with teacher because she reads at 10th grade level. She goes to 4th for math and is doing great with the content and socially in the class. The 4th grade teacher is also FANTASTIC. She goes to a resource teacher with 2 other girls for enrichment in language arts, but she says its not enough.

- As far as I see it the big differences between the classes other than just age is that the 4th does cursive, types, and play a string instrumemt. Well DD is learning to type, opting to turn her journal homework in typed. She also reads music and plays suzuki violin.

- My dd is clumsy and her handwriting is terrrible. Since the acceleration into 4th for math, dd has had a social growth explosion. She has friends in both classes, gets her work done, is more focused, and generally seems happier.

Yesterday I asked her if she could choose what grade she should be in what would it be. We were looking at a number line and she shyly pointed to 4. Then she said her school doesn't do grade skips. The school is private and they really don't skip girls - its all girls.

I love the lower school and don't want to hasten her into middle school at 9. But if she is identifying herself as 4th now... Maybe I should push for more time with the older girls.

I know I REALY need to finish up my DYS application. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Chrys, being technological failure, I think I sent my reply to you personally - but one more thing to add. I don't know about the US (we are english) BUT here, they ALL say they don't do grade skips. That isn't always true, and there is always a first time.

I'd at least inquire about it. And DS's school said they don't do grade skips, too, but they skipped him!

Go to the mirror and practice saying: "I'm so 'over' the whole 'being in a grade and moving up each year' thing" about a million times.

Then try: "I'm so 'over' being bummed that I can't anticipate the future for my daughter."

good news is that your daughter has 2 great teacher.
good news is that she is getting to learn at her academic readiness level.
good news is that socially there are children at the school that your child can interact comfortably with.

The Davidson parents say that if they can find a placement that is actually meeting the child's needs for 6 months, that's a huge win to be savored. In other worlds - say 'bye-bye' to the land of normal expectations.

I would ask for a meeting at the school just to 'keep up' with all the changes. I would stress how much DD is growing socially and emotionally. I would try to figure out how to get your DD as much of what she needs now, and trust that in the future you and the school (or some other situation) will be able to work something out. Even if you push for more time with 4th now, you may want to keep 2nd as her 'base grade' for now, supplimenting with subject accelerations in every subject. There isn't any advantage to having the report card say a bigger number, UNLESS, it's the only way to get the child into the nescessary social and learning environment. And if very often is - but it sounds like this particular school is more than willing to do what it takes to keep your DD engaged and happy, so I'd call the meeting and see what is on their minds.

Yippee!
Smiles,
Grinity

Of course, another reason for the 'offical skip' might be for 'insurance' if you might have to return to the public school next year, for family reasons, and want to be protected.

Thanks! Just saying what is on my mind helps. School principal said today that she is just fine where she is. We have conferences in a month. I'm going to let it go until then. We have gotten DD moved to the older Sunday School class which may be a minor victory, but it helps me feel like this is moving forward bit by bit.
Chrys

That is so often the way - speaking aloud (or keyboarding to people who you know care) is one of the big things that we parents of gifties often miss in our local communities. If you could have had the above 'meandering' with your local friends, you wouldn't have to do it here. Glad we can be part of the experience!