We are having a rough year with my 5th grader. He's a gifted kid who is not being challenged at all this year. We've always played it year by year, and it's never been that big of an issue in the past, he's been happy at school. This year he's in tears everyday. It's a bad match between him and his teacher. The teacher focuses on the slower kids and he's commenting that they spend a lot of time waiting for the other kids to "get it." I've talked to the teacher some and can't get much info from her. According to her, "everything is fine" and they're going to get to the more challenging stuff soon. We're considering pulling him out for the rest of the school year and homeschooling (I'm a former teacher and always thought that was nuts (before I had my own kids), but I'm beginning to think it might be a good option at this time). I'd love some advice on other moms who have pulled their kids out from public schools and homeschooled. How did you get started, etc. I will still have 2 kids at the school--they're doing just fine and I'm planning on sending this one back next year in middle school (where they actually group the kids based on ability levels and he can be in the more challenging classes).
What will you be teaching him by pulling him out for a year?
Part of what school teaches us is patience, maybe suggest to the teacher that he can tutor some of the other kids since he seems "bored"?
Just saying are YOU prepared to keep him home and for the challenge? You wouldnt want him to actually get behind the other kids.
Just my thoughts. Not a great answer tho... sorry.
I pulled mine out at the beginning of fifth. It was the best decision I ever made. Look for a challenging curriculum. Have him tested on the math websites. Both Saxon and Singapore Math do online testing so you can get the right age level for him. I use Singapore for my 4th grader
Rod and Staff is very challenging but also very Christian, if you want something more secular you'll have to look elsewhere. I use Rod and Staff for my 7th grader and Shurley grammar for my 4th grader. Shurley is very good at getting the basics of the parts of speech and how to use them.
My daughter is going back in during high school after next year. I may put my son into 6th grade, not sure yet.
What about his GIEP? Can you use that to get him more challenging coursework?
I had similar problems with my oldest 2, but more of a mix. My oldest was in 3rd grade and cried all the time (she was fine k-2). My 2nd daughter was very gifted and bored. The teacher told me that they try and have the gifted ones help out the slower ones so they aren't bored when they finish early. However, this did nothing to challenge my daughter at all. We began homeschooling the next year and homeschooled all the way through high school. Both girls are honor students in their colleges. My second daughter participated in dual-enrollment at the local community college during her last 2 years of high school. She graduated high school with 34 college credits and a 4.0 at the community college. She was considered an automatic admit for the Texas State colleges (top 10% of the class is considered automatic admit). Because of the one on one we had in homeschool, it made it also easier to see where she was gifted and what her passions were. This made it possible to gear their high school courses toward their college goals rather than covering a one size fits all course load. They were better prepared for the courses they had to take in college because of this. I was able to print off the college courses they were going to need to take for their major from the colleges of their choice and gear their high school studies accordingly.
As to where to start, I would begin by learning how your son learns best and choosing a curriculum that teaches toward his learning style. Also research the laws in your state as well as look for curriculum fairs (homeschool conventions) so you can actually see various curriculum before you buy. At your son's age, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him with you where you can choose the curriculum together. A lot of that will depend on the kind of attitude your son will have about picking out curriculum anyway. Sometimes you need to just choose what you feel will be best. Good luck in your decision!
I know quite a few families that home school. Some are for religous reasons but two are becuase the kids are particularly gifted and their needs are not being met at school. Our school district has what's considered an exception gifted program - but it's still only a pull-out program once or twice a week - so the kids are still not being challenged day in and day out.
If you're trained as a teacher you could definintely do this easily. From what I've seen in these home-schooled families is they get all their work done early in the day and since there's no home work they afternoon is free. I hear it's very liberating - not homework at 5:00 or 8:30.
There are home school groups in most communitites who get together once a week for enrichment programs, art, music, career days, field trips to local museums at discount, etc. There are even home school conventions where families go and select curriculum. I'm sure you can find resources online - and probably even used textbooks and such. I'm not sure of requirements - but some school districts make their books and curriculum available to homeschoolers - afterall you're paying taxes.
I know one family with 4 boys - the dad is a surgeon - and the mom home schooled various boys in various years based on what was going on with them, etc. Her boys are all now either in college or have graduated and they're all great guys. The mom says she just cherished all those days with her boys.
You can easily do this mama - you may find it to be such a great experience that you may opt to do it again in other years.
Ugg with my kids teachers they have always said everything is fine and it wasn't. If you want to home school pull him out and give him work that will challenge him. I see no point of a child sitting in a classroom and not learning. Also if your other kids are doing fine in school leave them in it. Home schooling isn't for everyone.
Just start pulling out work and see how he does then go from there. Good luck!
I pulled my daughter out of a half a year of school for similar reasons. We used the Alpha Omega Lifepac Gold series because it was easy to keep track of her studies for later record keeping and the price was right for us. Also you can add and subtract things according to your child's interest.
It was a good move for her and she went back to the next year in middle school and did great - she had a much better appreciation of the entire educational and social system after being out for the time. She went on to graduate 3rd in her class in her senior year.
We pulled my daughter out the same year! She's now in 7th grade, we're still homeschooling, and she's flourishing. I have her take standardized tests every year to make sure we're 'hitting the mark' (mostly to silence our critics, though) and she always scores high. Parents who are committed to the success of their child are the best teachers, because they WANT them to succeed and have the means to do so.
Start by giving his current school the option of helping him succeed. Talk with the teacher and principal. Perhaps the principal can be a good tool for you. This way, you'll know you tried your best to give the school the chance to participate in your child's success. Keep it friendly with the school district since you're thinking about going back. When it doesn't work, visit HSLDA and find a form letter to give to the school. Don't think about it too long - sign the form, pull your son, and get started! Since you're in MO, the homeschooling laws are pretty easy - just keep track of the time and work you've spent on schoolwork. Keep documentation and samples of your son's work. Get involved with a homeschool support group - you would be surprised what you will learn from others in your situation! Check out FHE, too. Good luck - PM me with any questions!
Look at all your options first. Maybe try looking at other schools. Now there are online schools that are other options you should look into. You definitely have lots of options out there and don't let your frustration have you to miss out on them. Where I live there are catholic schools that partner with parents who homeschool their children. They provide the material and your child would attend the school, but do the work from home. He would be allowed to attend socials, depending on the location or principals. Do some research and find what would be best for him.
I would definitely look around because if your not satisfied with your childs education, then find a place that fits him.
