What to tell a kid who is in, but just doesn't get AAP

[Anonymous]

My child is so confused and doesn't understand what AAP is about. What should I tell her? She keeps asking me, "but how did I get in?" "why isn't everyone in?" "but what does it mean?" "What would have happened if I did't get in." We're thinking of doing LLIV so I was explaining that she will be in 4-6 with the same kids each year and she kept asking "but why can't X be in that class too. We read the same books." X didn't get in.

[Anonymous]

Larla, you will be going to a different classroom (school) next year where you will have a great time and learn lots of new things. Remember when Larlo switched schools last year so it was a better match for him? It's kind of like that. It'll be fun!

[Anonymous]

You've already told her too much.

[Anonymous]

What did I say that was too much?

[Anonymous]

"We think that X classroom/school is best for you, and Larlo's parents think that X classroom/school is best for him."

What have you said that makes her think it has anything to do with what books each kid reads?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You've already told her too much.

+1

Just tell her that she'll be going to X school next year. End of discussion. She doesn't need to know her GBRS, whether you appealed, that the program is too large or identical to Gen Ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We think that X classroom/school is best for you, and Larlo's parents think that X classroom/school is best for him."

What have you said that makes her think it has anything to do with what books each kid reads?

I have no idea why she asked that. She told me people were talking about "the program" at school and she had questions about it. Prior to this we never discussed it beyond me telling her we were going to 2 orientations to see which school would be the best fit for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You've already told her too much.

If she is going to local level IV, won't she be in the same school she is currently in? Why mention the same kids she'll have in 4-6? Odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We think that X classroom/school is best for you, and Larlo's parents think that X classroom/school is best for him."

What have you said that makes her think it has anything to do with what books each kid reads?

Disagree with what is bolded. I don't say anything about placement. Did you say anything about placement for k-2? If you're staying in the same school, why say anything? The kids don't ask then b/c the school puts the kids where the school puts the kids. Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

If she is staying at LLIV, why did you mention anything at all?

[Anonymous]

While volunteering with an enrichment pullout program at school last week, kids were discussing it and how it was for smart kids like the pullout. :-/ At no time did I say that, and I doubt the teacher did either. It struck me as odd because aap isn't necessarily an achievement. Everyone is different, and everyone needs different learning needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is so confused and doesn't understand what AAP is about. What should I tell her? She keeps asking me, "but how did I get in?" "why isn't everyone in?" "but what does it mean?" "What would have happened if I did't get in." We're thinking of doing LLIV so I was explaining that she will be in 4-6 with the same kids each year and she kept asking "but why can't X be in that class too. We read the same books." X didn't get in.

If your child is asking all these things about "getting in," then it sounds like you approached this whole AAP thing like it's an exclusive club. You've instilled that anxiety in your kid. Now she's confused why her friends aren't in the club. And you've make that club even more exclusive because she'll be with only those people in the club for the next few years.

It sounds like you yourself don't get AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is so confused and doesn't understand what AAP is about. What should I tell her? She keeps asking me, "but how did I get in?" "why isn't everyone in?" "but what does it mean?" "What would have happened if I did't get in." We're thinking of doing LLIV so I was explaining that she will be in 4-6 with the same kids each year and she kept asking "but why can't X be in that class too. We read the same books." X didn't get in.

If your child is asking all these things about "getting in," then it sounds like you approached this whole AAP thing like it's an exclusive club. You've instilled that anxiety in your kid. Now she's confused why her friends aren't in the club. And you've make that club even more exclusive because she'll be with only those people in the club for the next few years.

It sounds like you yourself don't get AAP.

Bingo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While volunteering with an enrichment pullout program at school last week, kids were discussing it and how it was for smart kids like the pullout. :-/ At no time did I say that, and I doubt the teacher did either. It struck me as odd because aap isn't necessarily an achievement. Everyone is different, and everyone needs different learning needs.

The kids discuss it and that's why your kid has so many questions. All it takes is one or two parents who tell their kids "it's a program for smart kids", etc., and the ball starts rolling. It is horrible if you are in a base school with half the kids in your grade in Level IV and the chatter is all around. After 3rd grade, a few AAP kids will take every opportunity to remind the others they are in the program as a way to one-up them in class competitions, etc. This has been my least favorite part of the AAP program. I have one DC in AAP and one not so I have seen it with my own eyes, first hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is so confused and doesn't understand what AAP is about. What should I tell her? She keeps asking me, "but how did I get in?" "why isn't everyone in?" "but what does it mean?" "What would have happened if I did't get in." We're thinking of doing LLIV so I was explaining that she will be in 4-6 with the same kids each year and she kept asking "but why can't X be in that class too. We read the same books." X didn't get in.

If your child is asking all these things about "getting in," then it sounds like you approached this whole AAP thing like it's an exclusive club. You've instilled that anxiety in your kid. Now she's confused why her friends aren't in the club. And you've make that club even more exclusive because she'll be with only those people in the club for the next few years.

It sounds like you yourself don't get AAP.

Bingo.

Oh, I think this person gets it just fine, but is stirring the pot.