Should my kid be challenged in first grade?

[Anonymous]

Maybe this is more of a philosophical issue than one with an actual answer, but it’s one I’ve been thinking about a lot recently. How much should I, as a parent, reasonably expect the elementary school to provide for my smart but certainly not gifted kid who’s doing work at school at least a grade level below what she’s capable of? Maybe two levels below in some areas.

It’s a very diverse school but not title 1/focus - so 25 kids in her 1st grade class. I get how divided attention has to be with that many kids in the class, from even a good teacher. And this teacher isn’t good. Isn’t that bad either. Just average (I hope).

Her last report card came home with ES grades in Analyzing and Responding to Art, Performing Music, Health-Enhancing Physical Fitness and Activity. Last quarter the ES was in Movement Skills/Concepts and Personal/Social Responsibility (which are both listed under PE). I asked the PE teacher to clarify that description for, at the very best, a completely average athlete. He said all the kids get ES grades the first quarter.

The reading specialist tested her through the 6th grade level in word recognition/pronunciation (I’m sure there’s an actual title for what she did but I don’t know it). The reading, math, and spelling she does in class are on a level that she could do on her own easily more than a year ago.

Those report card grades and the simple stuff she’s assigned just put the whole entire system into question for me.

So I thought - it’s just first grade, who really cares? She’s happy enough in school. No complaints come home. If I want her to be challenged, we can do it together. I’m no expert so I’m sure there’s more that I could be doing for her. But it’s fine. Probably. But it makes me wonder if the system expected a lot out of her in school, well, then who knows what she’d be capable of.

So here are my questions: Should I really care? I mean, she’s only 6. Or instead am I failing my kid? Or is the school failing her? Should I expect more out of the school? If I did, how would I even go about doing that? Or do I just need to accept that this is what school is - everyone’s happy enough when you perform at an average level and behave most of the time. See what I meant about philosophical?

[Anonymous]

Totally felt the way you did when mine was in 1st. Now in 4th, and while she's learning ... it's almost like the teacher spends a month on a concept that it takes a day for her to learn.

I supplement outside of school hours. I try to intellectually stimulate the hell out of her. So, school teaches nouns and verbs? So I build on that and teach proper nouns and adverbs and adjectives. They gear her up to begin learning how to convert fractions to percentages? I teach her to do that in her head, without paper.

The reality is I have to work out of the house, full time, so can't homeschool her, and can't afford private school. So we'll simply have to make due with what we've got, and get all she possibly can out of the school she's in.

[Anonymous]

If your child is reading on the 6th grade level in 1st grade, she is far a head of most of her peers at this point. Reading levels out around 3rd grade but she will still likely be ahead. Consider applying to the GT Magnets in 3rd grade if she maintains her way above grade level performance. Are they supplying her with 6th grade reading material? If her writing is not at that same level that is probably the focus now..which is something you can encourage at home.

[Anonymous]

Reading level and word recognition are two very different things.

[Anonymous]

I agree with supplementing in your own outside of school. The school can only do so much. Yes, it's hard when you WOH, but PP has some good comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading level and word recognition are two very different things.

Umm, not sure how this is helpful.

OP, if the school isn't challenging enough, challenge her yourself any way you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading level and word recognition are two very different things.

This is very true. Reading level involves comprehension while word recognition is decoding. Usually word recognition is tested with nonsense words (Woodcock-Johnson Word Attack test) and also sight word lists (Dolch). It's great that she can decode at a 6th grade level, but I would be more interested to know what her comprehension level is. If she is able to read and comprehend 6th grade level text then she is probably not being challenged and will likely need something supplemental to keep her interested in learning.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My work is super flexible. I have a lot of time home with her. We read a ton, I teach her piano, a few outside activities. I could be doing more if anyone has any concrete suggestions but I like to let her play.

She's certainly not reading at a 6th grade level at home! If this means anything, we just read an Alvin Ho book together over the last few nights. An 'M' level book just came home from school this week. It's pretty simple.

I have to say, I really can’t imagine that she's gifted. But I also think the actual definition of that word is not the same definition that MCPS uses. Simply working ahead of your grade level isn’t gifted, isn't that correct? I would never say she should be in something called a ‘highly gifted center’. But again, I really don’t know enough. I have no idea what kind of kids they accept there.

I guess I want to know if I should be going to the school to ask for more for her. What’s the real purpose of that? She’s not acting out because she’s bored. If this is just what school is, should I just accept it and let it go?

[Anonymous]

I don't think it will ruin your child for life if he/ she is not challenged to the max in 1st grade. I think it hurts your child if by high-school the child has not worked to the level the child is capable of or misses out on being able to get in the AP or honors because the child did not meet the pre-requisites but had the ability to do so. Maybe push more in school in 2nd half of 3rd or start of 4th grade. The fact HGC starts in 4th and the 2.0 compacted math starts in 4th makes me think that sort of aligns with MCPS for the breakout and to reasonably expect more challenging work even if not in HGC (kids that could have just missed getting in or decided to stay in home school and get challenging work there). Also as DC gets older and can work more independently I think outside enrichment options could include more online work, summer camps, and have more of an element of the kid being somewhat motivated and you feeding that passion. You don't want to be that parent pushing your kid to be an accountant when they have zero desire to do so.

I think middle school will be a tough time to breakout and work to potential if the child is not going to be in a smaller environment or magnet that is focused on his or her interests. There is just so much social drama, hormones, figuring out who you are in the world, becoming a teenager to suddenly try to also get your child to work to abilities.

I would agree with the other posters to supplement. Try to keep in fun and try to build on your child's interest.

[Anonymous]

My advice would be to not say anything.

[Anonymous]

21:48 - why?

[Anonymous]

OP welcome to Curriculum 2.0. It used to be better but I'm really shocked at how much they have dumbed down the curriculum. Its not just really easy for very smart kids, its super easy for the average kids.

[Anonymous]

uhm she is 6. A child's work is play. Enjoy playing with her. She will learn that way. Don't worry about fractions. That will come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:uhm she is 6. A child's work is play. Enjoy playing with her. She will learn that way. Don't worry about fractions. That will come.

I wish we could get a moratorium on using Uhm, it's so obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

This has been my son since K. I wouldn't worry about her unless her behavior becomes a problem (like my kid). He isn't very good w/ just sitting there and keeping his mouth shut. Do what you can at home to support her interests. Provide her w/ plenty of books. Thankfully, GT classes begin next year.