How to approach the 2nd grade teacher.

[Mom31]

My 8yo son is gifted. Last year I dropped the ball dealing with the school and he spent the whole year doing review to things he already knew and were very simple to him or reading the same book 6 times in one day.  I do not want a repeat of last year as he is getting very bored. There is not a gifted program at this point in our small town school district. What are the laws regarding them having to meet his educational needs? How do I approach the teacher so that we can work together to keep him engaged and challenged. Ds was tested for reading 3 times last year he scored the highest the test would go all three times. ( which put him at a 7th grade reading level I believe). They did some placement testing the first week of school and he again got a perfect score so I know the teacher must be somewhat aware,

Do I schedule a meeting to express my concerns and how do I follow up? What do I say? Are the schools responsible for testing him?

[blessedwithboys]

They are supposed to identify special needs learners, but if they don't have resources available, they have a way of sometimes "forgetting" to identify.

Call the guidance counselor and ask to come in and chat about it.  Based on that caht, you can decide to move forward with a formal eval.

[KCMichigan]

Originally Posted by Emilie2 

There is not a gifted program at this point in our small town school district. What are the laws regarding them having to meet his educational needs?

Depends on your state Check this link for laws by state pertaining to Gifted Education:

 http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/StatePolicy.aspx

How do I approach the teacher so that we can work together to keep him engaged and challenged. Ds was tested for reading 3 times last year he scored the highest the test would go all three times. ( which put him at a 7th grade reading level I believe). They did some placement testing the first week of school and he again got a perfect score so I know the teacher must be somewhat aware, Do I schedule a meeting to express my concerns and how do I follow up? What do I say?

I would approach the teacher and ask for a meeting. Ask her what the plan is to differentiate for your son.Keep it open, not demanding or stating your kiddo is bored (which he may well be, but that could make the teacher defensive. New year, new teacher). See what material they have available.Then ask when you can meet again. 

Are the schools responsible for testing him?

Depends on your state and laws. They may only have to see if he can do the minimum for that grade level and/or standardized tests. Or some states do screening/identification for GT kiddos. The school, district, and even at the state level- can vary so widely.

[bec]

I agree with this.  Advocating for your child can be a little tricky.  You want to approach it as a collaboration with the teacher to get your son the most appropriate education (this was a huge buzz word for us when dealing with the schools for my middle DD).  Approaching your son's teacher asking about how she is planning to differentiate for him opens the door for discussion, without (hopefully) making her feel like you are criticizing her. 

[whatsnextmom]

Laws depend on the state you live in. What your school offers depends on the school.

How far into the school year are you? I usually reccomend waiting a full 2 or 3 weeks before approaching the teacher. When you do, schedule a conference, don't just try to catch her afterschool. At the conference, bring work samples from home... a book list, anything he's written, if he's done any advanced curriculum at home, ect. Be careful your wording. Don't use the "B" word ("bored" lol.) This puts teachers on the defensive and really, it's not a good description. Stay positive. Come with ideas you think might help him (personalized spelling lists, individual reading material, ect.) Be prepared to listen too. If she wants to try something you aren't crazy about, consider giving it a try. If it doesn't work, then you'll both know it and she'll be more receptive to your ideas. Certainly, share last years experience but be careful not to demonize the teacher. Something that has always worked for us is to start with the emotional angle. It's not "my child is bored" and "the work is too easy." It's "my child is frustrated, sad about school, feels disconnected" ect.

Good luck!

[JollyGG]

As others have said, wait a few weeks to give the teacher a chance to get her feet off of the ground and to get to know your child a bit. Then come at it from a collaborative approach. Start out just asking her what she sees and what she anticipates being needs. Ask her how you can help.

My son gets a bit disruptive if the material isn't at his level and I will often approach it as us working together to keep him engaged and on task.

[Mom31]

Thanks. Great advice.

[Mom31]

The first testing last year DS could spell words like atmosphere and then tell you what it means. The spelling words he has this year so far are words like trip and when and what.  I like idea of a different spelling list and glad to know that is possible. 

[TiredX2]

Would a full year promotion be a possiblity?  I only ask because you say he is 8 and only in 2nd grade.  Here, if he was already 8 in August he would be generally in 3rd grade.  If he is evenly advanced, that may be a possible fix in a district without gifted programming.

[JollyGG]

Originally Posted by TiredX2 

Would a full year promotion be a possiblity?  I only ask because you say he is 8 and only in 2nd grade.  Here, if he was already 8 in August he would be generally in 3rd grade.  If he is evenly advanced, that may be a possible fix in a district without gifted programming.

He may not be young for grade depending on the trends where they live. My son is 8. He's in 4th due to a grade skip. However, it ended up putting him in a grade with the majority of kids 2 years older than him not just one as it is almost unheard of to send boys to K at 5 in my area. Every single other 8 year old I know is in 2nd grade. I'm not talking kids who just missed the b-day cutoff either. Most boys in my town are fully 6 before starting Kindergarten.

Obviously, I'm not adverse to grade advancement. If he's ahead in other areas it might be an appropriate option to consider.

[Mom31]

We started him when he was six due to fact that my mom is a kindergarten teacher and advised us as such. I have thought of it but I do not feel he is mature enough he has a solid group of friends and do not want to do that to him.

[whatsnextmom]

If you don't want a full skip, consider subject acceleration. You might be surprised at how well he handles it and because of his age, he may not he the youngest. My two started 2nd grade at 6 (1 skipped, the other late fall birthday.) I'm very grateful because it makes accomodation a touch easier among older classmates.

[Mom31]

What is subject acceleration?

[whatsnextmom]

Originally Posted by Emilie2 

What is subject acceleration?

Subject acceleration is when a child moves up a grade in only a subject or two. For example, if your second graders strongest area is math, he would go to the 3rd grade class only during math time but return to second for everything else. It does require teachers to sync their academic schedules but it can improve things for the child at no extra cost to the school.

[Mom31]

i think that sounds great. I am going to schedule a meeting with the guidance counselor this week. They do have an AR reading program that he will be a part of and a extra program after school starting in January I have learned about recently. I just don't want ds to be treading water.

[Mom31]

Teacher called today. Not a great response. She said is it not a little early?  Kids started school Aug 18. I said well no I don't think so. Well should we not wait for testing?  I asked well what about last years testing>?  And told her how Keagan was reading at least at a 6 th grade level at beginning of first grade and can add three double digit numbers and two double digit numbers in his head.  She said oh. I said I just wanted to be on the ball and involved in his education and see what options there are.  She is going to talk to his last year and kindergarten teacher.... I hope this goes well.  I am sending his test results from last year to her. Why would she not already have these?

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by Emilie2 

She is going to talk to his last year and kindergarten teacher.... I hope this goes well.  I am sending his test results from last year to her. Why would she not already have these?

The teachers don't usually get the test results from last year unless they look them up. Unless he's got a special designation as TAG/GATE (or whatever your district calls gifted and talented), there might not be a reason for the teacher to know. Practically speaking, it can be good for teachers not to know a student's level so that they don't slot them in as a 'low achiever'. Teacher perception of what they think the child can achieve plays a big role.

I hope that they do right by your son. I've got a new 2nd grader too, and already at the beginning of week 2 (we start 'late' here), I'm afraid I'm going to have to do a lot of advocating for her.

[Mom31]

I sent ds's reading test results from last year where he maxed out the test at a going into 6th grade level all three testing times starting from the begining of the school year.

xh is on board and glad I approached teacher and would like to be involved in meeting so that is good.

I am swamped with work and stressed out on a million levels but do not want to drop the ball on this. It is so important ds does not just do review. 2 years in a row. I am hopeful the teacher will be excited about him and what he could achieve.

[Peeko621]

Emilie, This sounds like it could have been written by me. :)  I also have an 8yo son in the 2nd grade.  I met with his teacher last year a few times, but nothing got accomplished and I feel like I dropped the ball on advocating for him.  This year I am determined that I will be different.  We have a meeting scheduled with his teacher next week, and I'm scouring the web for resources on what to do. In the two informal "meet and greets" with his teacher, I haven't been reassured yet that this year will be different.  She clearly stated in the parent open house that all students must read from the 2nd grade basal as this is where all the 2nd grade reading tests are pulled from.  I've also received his homework the last two weeks, and it has all been phonics based work.  With my son reading on at least a 6th grade reading level, and already identified as gifted (97th percentile according to the school screening), this is obviously not where he is.  As of right now, we are planning on going in asking what her plans on to meet his needs (specific plans) and what are the options on subject acceleration.  Did you schedule your meeting yet?  If so, maybe we can compare notes? :)

[Mom31]

I have not heard back from the teacher. She told me she would be back to me last Friday.... no such luck. So I will call this Friday.

But GOOD NEWS!

The assistant principal pulled Keagan out of class and did some testing with him!  They covered math. Keagan was asked to multiply divide and subtract. And according to him he did a good job.  ( 75 % on dividing- I had no idea he knew how to divide so that was all just what he knows somehow and 100% on subtraction.) They are pulling him out again today he said. So Hopefully this means my call to teacher actually put something in action.

This principal knows me and our family so I am glad it is him doing it.... he knows me as one of those wonderful I am going to not stop till you do what I think is best for my kids mom.  lol  But we have a good relationship.  Just glad he is involved.