tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post115622606326556251..comments2023-09-30T09:51:17.040-06:00Comments on For Better or For Worse: NervesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156748268522943002006-08-28T00:57:00.000-06:002006-08-28T00:57:00.000-06:00Good luck Steph! I'm sure I will be in the same b...Good luck Steph! I'm sure I will be in the same boat come next year. As homeschooling is still teeter-tottering on my plate!Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401775744092911484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156441148269605082006-08-24T11:39:00.000-06:002006-08-24T11:39:00.000-06:00I feel for you because I've been there. I have tw...I feel for you because I've been there. I have two highly gifted children (that word choice is not mine, and I’m not trying to brag). We've been battling the school since day one. As a result, one goes to the public school and my oldest is homeschooled.<BR/><BR/>My first suggestion would be to take the lead from your child. Is she happy about school? Does she look forward to going? Does she get along with her peers? If so, I’d watch and wait. While she probably will be at the top of the class, there is still plenty of room for learning. The ESL teacher might be an amazing resource. There is a school here where 70% of the students speak Spanish as their primary language. They are fully integrated into regular classrooms with bilingual teachers. If a teacher has an extremely bright student native English speaking student, she integrates Spanish into their daily lessons. For example, if the spelling words are too easy, she gives that student spelling words in Spanish. For reading, after they finish their assignments, they are given a bilingual book. Not only do these teach English, but they also teach children to read in Spanish – even as young as 1st grade. Furthermore, bright children are partnered with a Spanish-speaking child, which provides lots of opportunity for enrichment activities. They learn about a different culture and diversity and gain leadership skills and friendships that they might not otherwise be exposed to. <BR/><BR/>Oh, there is so much that I could say on this topic. I panic for the same reason you mentioned. What’s helped me is knowing what my options are. If you think you might be interested in homeschooling at some point, you should talk to others who do it. I think you will find out that you are more qualified than you think.Lynannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02416883491055528952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156352585147732862006-08-23T11:03:00.000-06:002006-08-23T11:03:00.000-06:00That's really hard. I hope you find a solution to...That's really hard. I hope you find a solution to work this out in a way that makes you confident in your choice - you are the best advocate she could get. I will say you might want to give this new teacher a chance. You never know.bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01471056466254620749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156342878472643272006-08-23T08:21:00.000-06:002006-08-23T08:21:00.000-06:00Advocating for your child is a struggle. I just h...Advocating for your child is a struggle. I just had a meeting with the principal about switching teachers for my son and she wouldn't budge. Good luck!Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17143392629785332250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156309787111072842006-08-22T23:09:00.000-06:002006-08-22T23:09:00.000-06:00You and I can feel pukey together. We just moved a...You and I can feel pukey together. We just moved and the hardest thing about this move has been knowing my 2nd grader won't have the teacher we had requested at her old school. This teacher rocks!! When I let the teacher know we wouldn't be there, she offered to pay the fee for special permission and cried!! :( We need more teachers like that. Oh- also, last year I felt that my oldest son's teacher was not clicking with my son. I wasn't impressed with her at all and the 5th week of school we had him switched to another class. (Eventually 5 other students also changed classes!) He ended up having the best school year he's had to date. Go with your gut.Tori :)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14963896000691417017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156298900887962812006-08-22T20:08:00.000-06:002006-08-22T20:08:00.000-06:00You and Char need to figure something out together...You and Char need to figure something out together, since your situations are pretty similarly crappy. We still have a couple of years before we face all of this. And frankly, I'm more worried about what K will do to his teachers than what they will do to him.Sabra at Sew a Straight Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12176314701386592059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156284664358158982006-08-22T16:11:00.000-06:002006-08-22T16:11:00.000-06:00I completely understand. You just have to go with ...I completely understand. You just have to go with your gut! She's to important not too! Good luck.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16645281658543383524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156283281134853992006-08-22T15:48:00.000-06:002006-08-22T15:48:00.000-06:00Yep, but you're the best advocate. View the situa...Yep, but you're the best advocate. View the situation and make the assessment in a few weeks after following your gut!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04135190793124857820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156280264981248262006-08-22T14:57:00.000-06:002006-08-22T14:57:00.000-06:00Oh, I feel your pain. This is almost the exact si...Oh, I feel your pain. This is almost the exact situation we have always been with my oldest son. I posted a little about it quite a while ago. He was so far advanced it was not even funny, and gradually fell back to where the majority is. I worked with him throughout elementary school, and last year was the straw that broke the camel's back. I just didn't feel it was fair for him to have to go to school all day, then have me teach him at home, on top of that with certain "teachers" getting paid big bucks and not doing their job. Notice I said certain teachers - not all. Anyway, sorry to take up so much space but this issue is so close to my heart, I feel your anxiety. I hope it works out for the best with your daughter. With you on her side, I am sure everything will be just fine - you may just have to try a few things to get to the right scenerio...Shawnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14397183122566441689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156279626600432552006-08-22T14:47:00.000-06:002006-08-22T14:47:00.000-06:00I would definitely look into the charter school op...I would definitely look into the charter school option. Specifically one with a core-knowledge based cirriculum. DH is on the board of directors for Alexa's school and he was head of the cirriculum comittee. Honestly, you're right to be worried. I hate to tell you but Utah is ranked one of the lowest in the nation for schools. (info from DH) and CO isn't much better. The 'older' school districts...like those back east are ranked the highest because they know what works--they've just been around longer. The learning curve for the district is less than out here in the west. <BR/><BR/>That's where charter schools are a better option because they (at least out here) are put together by parents who want something better for their kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156276503941571042006-08-22T13:55:00.000-06:002006-08-22T13:55:00.000-06:00i hear you- i am a former 1st gr teacher- I will b...i hear you- i am a former 1st gr teacher- I will be honest to say the classroom doesn't always cut it-- i am kind of in the same boat- smart son starts k in 2 weeks (but he's probably mid 1st gr reading and late 1st/early 2nd in math)i was back and forth on the local charter- they ability group and pace- but use lame boring methods of instruction, looked private but was it really worth 12K? I have looked at homeschool to- (there are some great distance learning things for gifted kids) <BR/><BR/>I struggled with being bored, crossing grades- eventually skipped- my mom pushed like crazy to keep us challenged- but it paid off<BR/><BR/>do go to your principal ask what they can do- ask what accomodations to challenge, enrich, and accelerate- (if you want to talk about it more- or know better how to approach it with principal- you're welcome to email me- lgraff@charter.net)<BR/><BR/>if you all would just move to New england-we could get a great smarty kids co-op going-- we should get her together with smart son- who yes requested a microscope over any other "treat"smart mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06735299920426843638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156272533444263682006-08-22T12:48:00.000-06:002006-08-22T12:48:00.000-06:00I know all about being my childs advocate. If you'...I know all about being my childs advocate. If you're interested you can go to my blog and read Tink Links for encouragement on advocating for your kids. Stay tuned to the school and go with your gut. Be prepared to change course in midstream if you need to. Keep us psoted on how its going!Mrs. Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12911621891840832728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156269536096985932006-08-22T11:58:00.000-06:002006-08-22T11:58:00.000-06:00She is very lucky to have some one to stand up for...She is very lucky to have some one to stand up for her like that! I hope everything works out. I'm not looking forward to the school battle for Boo!Mall Workerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09303386226747294887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156269470773577502006-08-22T11:57:00.000-06:002006-08-22T11:57:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Mall Workerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09303386226747294887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156266635873907672006-08-22T11:10:00.000-06:002006-08-22T11:10:00.000-06:00Stephanie, I think you already know my passionate ...Stephanie, I think you already know my passionate opinion of this issue. I'll spare you my rant.<BR/><BR/>There are a lot of social things you can do while homeschooling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156263692627886282006-08-22T10:21:00.000-06:002006-08-22T10:21:00.000-06:00Oh, Stephanie, I just got back from kindy orientat...Oh, Stephanie, I just got back from kindy orientation and I feel as if I am sending Matt into the abyss! I am sure all will go ok, but still....<BR/><BR/>We will be strong!!!! :)Glass Half Fullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156263325476181292006-08-22T10:15:00.000-06:002006-08-22T10:15:00.000-06:00I understand! If mama doesn't do it...it won't get...I understand! If mama doesn't do it...it won't get done!! I'm the same way with Cam!! <BR/>I hope that your fears are alleviated with a surprize WONDERFUL teacher. If not...I really hope you can get her where she will thrive!! <BR/>Good luck!! We're all hoping and praying for you! :)Dawnyelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07662908368358604305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156259992437888982006-08-22T09:19:00.000-06:002006-08-22T09:19:00.000-06:00Sorry you are having such problems. You have to g...Sorry you are having such problems. You have to go with your gut though. Stick up for your kids because no one else will. I hope all works out for M and you!utmommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10190286390969369062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156259651208224832006-08-22T09:14:00.000-06:002006-08-22T09:14:00.000-06:00that's a tough choice to make. I hope you find a s...that's a tough choice to make. I hope you find a solution you feel good about.Valariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03217486614309399902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156258624432954092006-08-22T08:57:00.000-06:002006-08-22T08:57:00.000-06:00Oh how I could have written this post! My #1 is a...Oh how I could have written this post! My #1 is a little smarty pants, too. You already know what a nightmare her teacher is. I'm at a loss. I've even tried to come up with a way to pay private school tuition this year. I'm afraid we're losing her love for school. I thought that volunteering in the class room might put my mind at ease, but it's only made things worse. Stay tuned here as well!Char @ Crap I've Madehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15717774595621423053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156256737358110762006-08-22T08:25:00.000-06:002006-08-22T08:25:00.000-06:00Whatever you do, do it early.I wish we had been mo...Whatever you do, do it early.<BR/><BR/>I wish we had been more of an advocate for our oldest - trusting a little too much in the school system, we let him float along from teacher to teacher (I should add, crappy teacher to crappy teacher) and he didn't learn basic facts or skills... I wish I had known that sometimes you have to rattle cages over at school sometimes.<BR/><BR/>I was going to say, give her first grade teacher a chance and see how it goes. I'm impressed with all the great work you've been doing with her. :)Milliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673273777386297395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156256091109497572006-08-22T08:14:00.000-06:002006-08-22T08:14:00.000-06:00one more thing - bloglines is awesome ( a few post...one more thing - bloglines is awesome ( a few posts ago you commented on it) it does cut down my blog reading time!!!!!!! THANKS!uuuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08823299523766089383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26062419.post-1156253376937792762006-08-22T07:29:00.000-06:002006-08-22T07:29:00.000-06:00I understand your concerns. My son has a few spec...I understand your concerns. My son has a few special needs and I am concerned about him going to K. However, I was even more concerned about the Speech/Language Pathologist at the school - because, though no one would tell me anything about her, they told me that if there were good things, they would be sharing them. I learned (through an acquaintance) that a lot of the time, kids complained she was on the phone during speech, thus using the kids' speech time to make appointments, etc. Anyhow - my sons preschool speech path. called me a few weeks ago to inform me that she (the SLP in question) would not be returning to our school. In her place would be a new girl who (she goes on to sing her praises) she knows!!! :)<BR/><BR/>Continue praying ------ this is the ultimate answer. And you are right - it is hard to be an advocate for your child!!!!<BR/><BR/>I will be praying!uuuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08823299523766089383noreply@blogger.com