Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Kindergarten skip to 2nd for reading

I think he's balking now when he considers going to 2nd grade for reading...sooner or later you are going to want to provide him with opportunities where he can work through this. I don't think you are going to be able to look to him for reassurance - but at least you can look to the teacher for reassurance, right?

I don't think bringing the books to him is an 'even swap' (although it might be a good first step - think goldfish in baggie in new fish tank, first he goes and gets the reading book from 2nd grade and brings it back to Kindy to read it, then heads back to 2nd grade to do an activity based on the book - but really, I doubt this is nescessary. Your firm calm assurance is what I think he needs.)

anyway - it's not a swap because -
1) as Dottie points out - subject acceleration give him the credential of ' a kid who needs more.'
2) Group interaction might be wonderful actually
3) He gets a chance to overcome his 'balkiness' at school work (underachievement in my terms)

If you want to be extra nice, perhaps ask the 2nd grade teacher to choose a 'smart,small,polite' boy from the recieving 2nd grade class who might be willing to have a playdate with your son before the transfer? Luckily at this age you can call the other mom and set up to meet at a playground at the very least.

He can do it! Teachers aren't mean, if anything they are overprotective, right?
Love and More Love,
Grinity

DD is 5 and in first grade (She was full grade accelerated in Dec) she reads at an adult level and does math at a 3rd or 4th grade level. They have subject accelerated her in these areas. She is currently doing 3rd grade reading and 3rd grade math. Her teacher and her gifted teacher are handling it very well. My only problem with it is, who can she discuss the book with? Other than us, her teacher and her gifted teacher, she has no one. She can't discuss it with the other kids in her class because they aren't reading Mouse and the Motorcycle (That's her for fun book).

I have an opposing viewpoint. DS is PG and reading at unknown grade level (he just finished Wizard of Oz), but he happily does basic letter sounds with the rest of his Kinder class. As I see it, K is for learning social rules and making friends. Yes, he does need to be challenged at some point, but there is all the time in the world for that. He would be HORRIFIED if he were asked to leave his class and walk across to the "big kids" class and read with them.

Kinder kids still color and do silly crafts and sing songs and he enjoys all of that If first grade turns out to be more academic and, therefore boring, we will consider accelerating him.