Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Elementary School 1st/2nd Grade 2010-2011

That's exciting and encouraging news. We don't live close enough to a large city to do anything like a circus camp, but your post has made me think about what we might do that would help build confidence in the same sort way. I wonder if gymnastics might do that. The only time my ds will not do what I urge him to do is when it comes to taking any kind of (perceived) physical risk.

So glad to hear that good report. Thanks for sharing.

lol, our DS6 has misplaced many sweatshirts too...but eventually they come back. The worst last year was definitely winter gloves. He went through several pairs of gloves. This year for school I am only buying those really cheap magic gloves that I can live without and won't break the bank everytime he loses a pair.

GreenGully - The circus camp sounds really great! I wish we had something like that closer to us. The grade skip into second meant that out not-very-athletic DS6 had to participate in the presidential fitness challenge, including running a mile! I'm so proud that he did it, but he was not too happy to be among the last to finish.

He was very proud of himself for being able to do the reaching/stretching better than everyone (legs out straight, reach forward on the floor with arms)-- he said he figured his legs were shorter so it was easier. I think really he gained flexibility from gymnastics. (Unfortunately, he outgrew the fun gymnastics that he loved when he was younger and now there's just the more serious gymnastics, which is too much for him.)


shellymos - one idea for the lost gloves problem: lost mitten program

eta: link

What a cute idea St Pauli Girl... We're in the south, so it's rare that the kids where gloves (other than if they are playing).

I learned to buy cheap sweatshirts myself, after DS lost a N I K E one (thankfully that I did not buy, but still). We found several in the lost n found, but not that N I K E one. Sigh.

Both my kids do circus classes at a local circus school. My 9 year old is doing 3 classes this year he loves it so much. I cannot say enough how much this has done for him in particular in terms of physically and in terms of confidence. He has always been a bit of a weakling. Both kids have never been one for physical challenges or taking risks and this has been wonderful for that. It's also non-competitive. The groups of kids really work together to help each other. My 6 year is spending the year working with a partner on a low trapeze.

St. Pauli - I know how to hook you up with Circus Camp next summer if you're willing to drive a bit.

I think I'll take you up on your offer next summer, kimck. This summer DS just wasn't quite ready. But I still wish it was closer!

I know! There are people who drive from Hudson, Northfield, Osseo, etc (to St. Paul) year round for their programs and I think they're a little nuts.

Okay, folks. Need to see if any of you have kids who do this:

We've been struggling w/the new school as they placed DS6 at a reading level of what he was doing 2 summers ago and many levels below what previous school assessed him at. So far, teacher and I have been communicating via e-mail, though I've asked for a mtg w/her and the reading specialist.

First, she said the reason was his comprehension. Her latest concern is that DS6 skips words when he reads. She thinks that he's trying to read too fast. Do any of your kids do this? I've asked DS about the fact that he skips the words, and his response: "If what I read doesn't make sense I go back and see why." From the times he actually reads with me (those are few and far between now), he usually skips words like "and," "or," etc.

My DH is a fast reader and this is something he's done his whole life. He often can't really tell you character names b/c if they aren't simple names, he reads them by a letter or two and somehow manages to follow the character. He also grade skipped 1st grade completely. So, I'm wondering if this is a trait that others of you have seen as well and how you deal with it. Given that DH still does this, I suspect it would be very difficult to change in DS6.

Thoughts?

I see this with my ds5 and wonder if it's just a matter of rushing and not wanting to take time with detail.

This is totally off topic but I had to chuckle at your screenname.:)

We homeschool and this is an issue that has come up for years in my online groups. It seems that many children do this very thing. My own ds 6 is a very advanced reader and reads very quickly too. He often misses words when he's reading out loud to me, but it's obvious that his eyes are moving faster than his mouth. I don't worry about it unless it changes the meaning of what he's reading.

I think that this is normal, esp. for fast/advanced readers, and I'm surprised that she's mentioning it to you. If he's skipping things and not comprehending what he's reading, that's one thing, but to miss small words really isn't a big deal. Did she give you some examples of what she's taking issue with? I would ask for specific examples.