Seeking Advice - Allentown,PA

M.,
My son, also 6, tells me he is bored at school. My school doesn't start gifted programs til 3rd grade. I think what is happening is that some kids come into K knowing a lot and some kids come in knowing little. The teacher just needs to get all the kids to the same basic knowledge level for next year. I would give it another year and see if she finds next year more challenging. Look into some summer programs, etc. that can let her soar over the summer! Good luck.

I am so glad that you posted this concern, as I am dealing with the same situations. I am seeing the signs that my daughter is bored and want to get the ball rolling for more challenges next year. I have read the advice you received and am glad to know that other families struggle with "the next step" just as we are. I don't know that she is gifted but she is certainly advanced in particular areas. Again Thanks and good luck to you.

Wow! I was in the same position woth my son! I told the teacher she was wonderful and my son loved being in her class. I asked if she noticed any boredom from him in class. She told me yes and she had him helping another child that was a little behind. She also told me my son was extremely quick and accurate with his work. I then offered to buy any materials for him to use once his own classwork was done neatly and accurately. I explained that I didn't want him becoming so bored that he lost his motivation to learn or worse yet, became a behavior problem. I verbalized that I understood she had 23 students all on different levels and didn't want to make her job more difficult. His teacher was awesome! She gave him extra assignments like read a book and make a poster (Nellie Bly was the book). She then allowed him to present his project on Fridays. The other children were excited to see what my son did that week and after his presentation, the children asked questions. It was a win -win situation!
Every year I write a note to his new teacher explaining his signs of boredom: sloppy handwriting, careless mistakes and talking in class. I ask that I be notified at the first sign of these and speak with the teacher regarding what we can do. My son has been tested for gifted but misses it by 4 points.If I don't keep up on it, he would fall through the cracks. He is currently in third grade and advanced in all areas. I hope this helps you and your daughter.

I haven't been in this situation.
But what you might want to do is talk to your daughter first ands see what she likes about school, what she finds challenging, what is too easy and what she just doesn't like at all.
Then i would also think about what you would want the teacher to do if you could wave a magic wand and have it happen.
Would you consider moving her up a grade??
Would you want her pulled out for gifted if they offer that??
would you want the teacher to pair your daughter with someone who is struggling and be their "tutor"?
would you want the teacher to allow your daughter time to practice skills on the computer, to read silently at her desk, to work on a packet of worksheets or crosswords or something independantly?
would you want her to assign your daughter more challenging homework like choosing a science experiment or writting a book?
When you go in to meet with the teacher i would compliment her on something your daughter enjoyed about having her this year. Then squeeze in your concern and ask the teacher for her ideas and imput as someone who is in this with you to make your daughter's educational experience the best it can be.

Good Luck, I'd love to know what the outcome of your meeting is. I think it's good to address this early.

Trust your instincts and if you noticed it so has your daughter's teacher. Just see if she has noticed any problems with your daughter and take it from there.

Since you already stay at home pull her out and homeschool her. Let her develop and move at her own pace. I was bored stiff when in elementary school. I think the fact that recognized this is a good thing. It may be hard at first. But if you start from the beginning of the next school year, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish with out having to go to school everyday

HI! My suggestion would be to request an evaluation of your daughter to see if she is considered gifted and to offer support to the teacher in terms of creating differentiated instruction and other options or projects that you daughter could take part in. With the diverse populations of students in schools today, most teachers have been trained in differentiating instruction. I would also suggest starting by telling the teacher how much you and your daughter like her and also how much you value education and achievement, so hopefully then you will establish some common ground and alliances with the teacher...

Just tell you how you feel and what your child needs. Although withought an IEP I'm not sure there is much the teacher can do. The problem is the teachers teach from a curiculuim they must use.

Hi there! You've received a lot of good suggestions. I would ask for the gifted testing, and I agree you should ask immediately. If your child tests as gifted, then you can deal with your options...if you want her in a gifted program in the school, or if you want her challenged in the classroom only by different work, or both, or otherwise. You can have a lot of say in this through the GIEP (Gifted Individual Education Plan).

If, for some reason, your child does not test as gifted, do not fret. You still can make requests for the additional challenges. The important thing is to be well versed in your rights, like one of the posters said.

I love the hoagies and PAGE websites that someone else mentioned. You can get great info on a lot of things, even if your child ends up not "making the cut off." Pennsylvania recently changed the laws and it is a bit easier to test into the gifted program now, but being in the gifted program is not the be all and end all. Getting appropriate work for your kids is!

The Hoagies website is http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ . The PAGE website is http://www.penngifted.org/ . Even if your child does not test into the program, these sites can help you.

Also, does your school ask for letters regarding placement? We are not allowed to make specific teacher requests, but we can write a letter regarding our child's learning styles and the like, for those making the placement decisions to consider. I always take advantage of this and ask for the teacher who will keep my child extremely challenged and motivated, etc.

Also, if your child is placed in the gifted program, the advocacy does not end there! The GIEP really needs to be INDIVIDUAL, but often they are pretty generic, so you need to advocate for that.

M.,

Ask to have her tested for giftedness...but ask immediately as there are strict time constraints. I know the new law that just went into effect "Chaoter 16" has eased up a but on them, but I'm not well versed on the new laws. You don't want the school saying you have to wait until next year for testing...contact the school today (guidance counselor) and say you'd like to come in TODAY and sign the request papers to get the ball rolling. Meanwhile, let your child's teacher know that, even though she has not yet tested for the gifted program, you would like your child to be given challenging work. (Work for gifted kids means work more appropriate and challenging for them; it doesn't mean giving them more of the same work that bores them.) Above all, be an advocate for your child and research youir rights. Hoagies.com and PAGE (Pennsylvania Assn for Gifted Ed.) are two good starting points. The PAGE state-wide conference happens to be in King of Prussia in 2 weeks, so you might want to consider attending something there. Also see if your school district has a chapter or has other meetings for parents of gifted kids; our district has them monthly, and it is so helpful. Also, for the mom who says her district doesn't start the gifted program until 3rd grade...you have the right to ask for gifted testing and you do not need to wait for the school to come to you. (I made that mistake and learned the hard way!) Check out Ch. 16 of the Pa. law. Just do an Internet search or go to the Hoagies or PAGE websites!

(OK, here is the Pa Law:
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter16/chap16toc...
0

M.,

i'm not sure how this mamasource works, if you are local in my area - which would be Albert Gallatin School District, (I just know how AG works) Ask for an IEP (Individual education Plan). In this you can specify exactly what you want the teachers to do for your daughter. If you want her to be given more challanging work - ask for it. Keep her busy. If she has extra time after she finishes her work, have thte teacher have to help someon who is struggling. There are so many things you can ask for - and better yet - receive. There are many programs available here.
You may cotact me directly if you wish and we can talk

.

With "No Child Left Behind" the teachers are forced to teach to the bottom half of the class. Why don't you try to supplement her learning at home or by taking her on educational field trips? That may be all she needs.

Personally I think it is a mistake to tell your child or let on to your child that they are 'above' the material and are not being challeneged. I think it just sets them up for problems later. Look at it is reinforcement of the skills she has and strengthening those that may be weak.

Like someone already mentioned homeschooling would always be an option.

Hi M.,

What a good problem to have! I had the same issue with my son and "waited it out" until he reached third grade. I then spoke to the teacher and she put together a folder of different things for him to do when he was done his work earlier than the others. Things like write a story using the spelling words for the week and other creative suggestions. When my daughter hit second grade and had the same issue the teacher was not willing to put together a folder so I went to the local "teacher's store" (Becker's in our area) and let my daughter pick out workbooks that she thought would be fun. She loved them.

I am also one of those people who can see a lesson in many places--without making it obvious that it's a learning opportunity. Doubling or halving a recipe, skipping to a tune, counting the number of parking spaces from our car to the store, having a conversation where we spell the first word (lots of giggles when someone forgets), etc.

Definitely talk to the teacher, but be prepared to do the work. Don't let your child be bored in school. And have fun with her : )

Let the teacher know about your concerns and see what type of testing that the school can do. With the test done they can see where your daughter is in her learning and can go from there. You are not putting down the teacher, and this way it will help you and your daughter from having proublems later on in life.

Hi,
We ran into that problem last year. I simply said that "I felt my son wasn't being challenged and was becoming bored. Of course, boredom can lead to misbehaving. How can we challenge him further?" She said to have him tested for the gifted program..and surprise...a high IQ and needed a bigger challenge. He now attends cyperschool and it is great because he can work ahead if needed. Just be honest. And I found out that if you ask for gifted testing, by law, they must complete it. Good luck!

Hi M.,

Had you thought about looking into home schooling your daughter.

In this way, you will not offend her teacher.

Just wanted you to know. D.

Trust your instinct, Homeschool or Cyberschool may be an option for you.
If you daughter is bored it may be because you have taught her beyond what the other children are learning. Some parents just do not work with their children outside of school.
www.SHEEPFOLD.ORG is a place you can see some options.

Hi M.,

I'd approach the conversation with asking her what she has observed in your child. Has she noticed that your daughter seems bored, unchallenged, or whether she is acting out at all because of it? Let her know that you are thrilled with her as your daughter's teacher, and was hoping she could give you some suggestions as to what to do next year. Ask if there is a particular teacher or program that she would recommend for her. Generally, if you approach the conversation as a "meeting of the minds" and that you're on the same team making a proactive plan to meet her needs, the teacher should be receptive, and probably very helpful. You can let her know that you were bored in school and got in a lot of trouble, and that you are trying to prevent any of these problems with your daughter. She will surely understand.

There doesn't need to be any accusatory language for the teacher to get the message that your daughter isn't being as challanged as you would like now. She will put two and two together, and may come up with a creative solution that you would not have thought of.

Leave the conversation with a "Let's keep the dialogue open, and if you think of anything, please let me know." Sometimes people get brillant ideas a few days after a conversation instead of when they are on the spot, so give her the chance to mull it over.

Hope that helps,
L.

Hi M., Just talk to the teacher! Be honest, ask her what she sees, feels and thinks you can do together to keep your child engaged and motovated. She may not be able to do anything about next year, but she should be able to do something with the remainder of this year. Best wishes

Hi, M., Sounds to me like you have a great candidate for homeschooling on your hands. We have 5 kids and have been homeschooling for 7 years now. It's definitely a very individual decision - not all kids thrive in homeschool. Our oldest is doing great in a private classical school. But the advantages for your daughter could outway any possible setbacks. She could move at her own pace instead of being forced into a mold that most kids fit very well into. There are many homeschool co-ops in the area where she could meet with other homeschooled children every other week. There are numerous support groups as well. I've joined Harrisburg Area Homeschooler's Association ($20 a year) and have gone on countless field trips with them. You're not isolated as a homeschooler, like so many people believe, or confined to the limits of a classroom. Visit www.hahaofpa.com for more info or visit the farm show complex over Mother's Day weekend for a huge homeschoolers convention with lots of speakers and workshops. You just might be surprised at the possibilities out there.