Any way to pull 5th grader from last 3 months of the school year and test to demonstrate knowledge?

[Anonymous]

I'm a VA teacher and pulled my kid out to homeschool for 5th grade. There were essentially no downsides and it super easy to do. Can you take time off with him? If so, I'd bill it as a great adventure. Go roadschool for a while to National Parks or something, a different field trip every day. Your last few months of elementary as a huge experiential learning school.

Then fresh start in middle. You're on the right track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry this sounds awful. Good luck

Wtf is wrong wut you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This will set the expectation that when things at school are unpleasant he can just quit. Don’t do that. Fix what is wrong especially since middle school will be more and worse unless you are moving

You’re delusional if you think middle school will be better. Middle school years are the worst academic and behavior wise. You survive for those 3 years.

I meant more of the same and worse. I agree middle school.

My sibling stayed home half a year, and eventually attempted suicide in college and has never worked.

Avoidance is not a good way to address mental health issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This will set the expectation that when things at school are unpleasant he can just quit. Don’t do that. Fix what is wrong especially since middle school will be more and worse unless you are moving

Agree with this.

I don’t necessarily agree with this. I would not tell him you are pulling him because things are hard. I’d frame it as an opportunity to have more academic freedom/a chance to do outside the box things before school gets more serious in middle school. And then I’d have him come up with a plan with you on how to productively spend that time (out school classes? Travel? Independent study on certain topics paired with relevant field trips?)

FWIW my high performing kid was also miserable in 5th grade. He was bored, frustrated with immature kids in his class, and ready to move on despite having good friends/no bullying. Then the pandemic hit, he was sent home, and did a 180. My happy kid was back! He did great in middle school and is now thriving as a sophomore in high school. I know the school closings were awful for many but it was great for him.

Especially if you can use the time for enrichment and other things he’d otherwise not get to experience, I’d figure out how to get that homeschool form signed and go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This will set the expectation that when things at school are unpleasant he can just quit. Don’t do that. Fix what is wrong especially since middle school will be more and worse unless you are moving

Agree with this.

I don’t necessarily agree with this. I would not tell him you are pulling him because things are hard. I’d frame it as an opportunity to have more academic freedom/a chance to do outside the box things before school gets more serious in middle school. And then I’d have him come up with a plan with you on how to productively spend that time (out school classes? Travel? Independent study on certain topics paired with relevant field trips?)

FWIW my high performing kid was also miserable in 5th grade. He was bored, frustrated with immature kids in his class, and ready to move on despite having good friends/no bullying. Then the pandemic hit, he was sent home, and did a 180. My happy kid was back! He did great in middle school and is now thriving as a sophomore in high school. I know the school closings were awful for many but it was great for him.

Especially if you can use the time for enrichment and other things he’d otherwise not get to experience, I’d figure out how to get that homeschool form signed and go for it.

My kid also benefitted from the pandemic home schooling.

That is not the same thing as being taught that staying home is a solution to boredom or uncomfortable school situations. Moreover, you are the weird one staying home for “some” reason.

We ended up going to private to get better behavior in classmates.

[Anonymous]

In Virginia, it is easy and simple to switch to home schooling.

However, teacher recommendations from last year of elementary might impact middle school course placement and options (e.g., which math class he can take) and that in turn can impact HS course options. Maybe at least understand that aspect before pulling the trigger to hone school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry this sounds awful. Good luck

What sounds awful? OP said her kid was miserable, but didn’t elaborate at all. Is he being bullied? Is he just bored? We don’t have any idea what’s going on.

Yeah agree I didnt hear anything that indicates misery or awful. What is the actual issue and can you work on fixing it? Is it an issue that will follow him to the next grade?

[Anonymous]

Spend these next few months setting him up for success. Schedule weekly therapy, and pair it with a special activity and make those days half days. Take a few long weekend trips. Reconnect with his one friend outside of school. Get in to new hobbies that might help socially.

These problems he has aren't going to be fixed with avoidance. If you're attending the same school it won't be a fresh start. But if you aren't worried about attendance and you can take time off work too, use that to your advantage to get him more help and feeling more secure before next year