A question for a kindergarten parent/teacher, please help me?

Question

I don't know what I can do. Kindergarten is mandatory in TN, than this year I enrolled my child in kindergarten (for 2 month I couldn't enroll her last year). I feel like my child is just losing time, because they teaching things that her already know. I spoke with everybody in school, but nobody helped me. I tried make they do a gifted test for her. They say that the result of test not was enough for move her to first grade. They don't want teach her different things from the curriculum.
I' m really sad, I don't now what to do. Today she come back from school with a note from the teacher that say she knows the letters "B,b,C,c" and their sound, and she can count to 20.
In this moment, while I writing, she is reading another "Magic tree house book". She can add and subtract number (such 12+21+35 and 16-9), she can count to 100, skipping by 2,3,5,10. She can write her complete name curly, write 60-70 words stories and more. I feel like she is just losing her time.

I don't feel to homeschool her first because I don't know good english, second because she is only child and we are from Europe, and many people are razzist, than is really hard for to have friend.
I don' t have enough money for private school.

not very advanced for a kindergartener?? If in her class they are teaching the abc and she can read 86 pages books, while the ather children learn how to coun to 20 she is counting to 100...... Back a grade were? preschool??

For Zakia: if you like, you can email me.

Answer 1

Keep fostering her abilities at home they way it seems you are. There dosn't seem to be much you can do- possibly when she is in first or second grade, if she is still that advanced, either her teachers will notice and she will be moved ahead a grade, or at that point you can talk to the teachers again. does her school have a program for gifted children? thats an alternative to skipping a grade right now. schools dont like to have such young children skip grades for some reason. dont worry, just keep letting her read any books she shows intrest in, and doing math, and writing stories at home, and take her to museums (on free days) and other places that will foster her learning, like the zoo, planetarium, aquarium. those places have people that can answer any questions she might have, so she will be learning! also, make sure she does all her homework- when children are advanced and the work is not challenging, they may not do it because they already know the material!! always let her know how proud of her you are! she sounds great!!

Answer 2

Maybe the test they gave her didn't truely reflect her abilities. She may be a child who doesn't test well.

Take a new chapter book in and have her read it outloud to them. Have the teacher/principal ask her comprehension questions about what she just read. Have her demonstrate the counting skills and math skills. Show them some of the stories that she has written at home.

Be a general pain in the butt to get the services you need for your child. See if they will move her up. If she can't move up totally, could she "visit" a first grade classroom for certain subjects as opposed to being there for the full day? If they won't do those things, see if the KG teacher will diffentiate the curriculum. If her current teacher will not, would a different KG teacher in the school diffentiate for her? If there is a district wide coordinator or gifted services, speak with that person.

Consider changing to another school that can meet her needs. Or pull her out and homeschool her until she can get into a gifted program.

Good luck. I know how frustrating it can be. My oldest is gifted and my youngest looks to be leaning that way too.

Answer 3

You can get her privately tested for giftedness by a psychologist. They can administer the SAME tests the school can, give more definite results - and you don't have the long long wait time.

Once you get the report that she is gifted in your hands - and you will - ask the psychologist to meet with her to determine if he thinks she could fit into an older class as well. Ask him to write a letter to the principal of the school stating this.

Visit the principal. Now you have a letter from a psychologist, paperwork proving your case. And if she does not agree, go to the superindent of the school board - the principals boss. If that doesn't work, change schools.

Also many cities have gifted magnet schools - she is very bright, and this way she can be with other bright kids her age! You still need the testing as proof that she has the intelligence to get in...

Answer 4

Your daughter absolutely sounds "GIFTED" I would set up a conference with your child's Principal to see if there is some options her school has that could benefit her. If you get know where with her school then contact the Board Of Education. I volunteer 2 days a week for my children's classes and last year a little girl from Russia that was in my son's kindergarten class was reading a Junie B. Jones book to the teacher while the other students read much lower leveled books to me. I would of never believed a kindergartner could read at that level if I didn't see it with my own 2 eyes! Has the school said why they don't want to move her to 1st grade? It sounds like she should be moved up a grade. I'm sure you are REALLY PROUD of your child! Keep offering her new things at home to learn and try getting some curriculum books at the store. Wal-Mart sells them with other learning & Educational items usually near the school supplies isle. Good Luck!

Answer 5

We live in Fairfax County, VA which has very good and competitive schools..my daughter is also VERY advanced in her studies and does get bored with school as she really does know and understand everything that is being studied...around here kids do not start gifted classes until 3rd grade...they get tested in 2nd grade(next year for my daughter) So I keep telling her no day you go to school is wasted...there are always going to be new things to learn(even if you think you know everything). ALSO, people forgot that kids this age still need to learn SOCIAL SKILLS! So many folks forget about that and concentrate all on academics. Things have gotten so competitive and so much has been thrown at our kids too fast...that so many of them lack the basic skills of just getting along with each other...I see it on all grade levels. I have taught high school, middle school and now I am teaching preschool...and even at this tender age I see parents asking that we teach more things on an academic level. You can keep your daughter interested in learning through books, educational games and other educational activities. First grade is very different than Kindergarten...it is important that she will be ready for it mentally. Everything bumps up a big notch...just be glad she is doing well, so many kids have learning problems. Be patient, don't rush, she is still very young.

Answer 6

How about being patient? I'm a mother of a kindergartener and first grader. They also knew more than most in their classes. They are still learning valuable skills. Socialization is one thing they learn. Patience is another, Taking turns. Sounds like you are pushing more than she is losing. Give her time to be a kindergartener. Give her time to enjoy just being with her friends. She can skip grades later in her schooling if she's still burning up the world. Does she know colors, shapes, comparing sizes, putting puzzles together, comprehension, does she exercise, does she sing, or know anything about music, does she do any art projects, how about learning about family, or following rules??? What about dealing with bullies? How to handle other children? You say she knows the letters B and C..what about the other letters of the alphabet? There is so much she has yet to learn to move on.

Answer 7

Your daughter sounds like she is very smart. That's really amazing. I can't believe they won't let her skip. It really might be a good thing though. I mean, it is their first year of school. School isn't only about learning letters and numbers, etc. It's also about learning how to socialize and make friends and use your manners and all that other stuff. I say just let her enjoy kindergarten. If she's still really far ahead of her class in a year or two, have her skip a grade then.

Answer 8

WOW.

When I was in 6th grade. Currently an 8th grader. We we're reading buddy's to the Kindergarten kids. Most of them couldn't even read a book with two words on the page. I know you've already tried but keep prussuring them to raise your child up a grade. If they refuse, go to the superindent office. See what they can do. Also that is amazing when i was in 1st grade the class was reading Junie B. Jones books and i was (at home) reading The BFG which is a decent sized book. Just keep bugging them and they have to give in some time! Good Luck

Answer 9

Call the superintendants office. Since your are from Europe she may be able to qualify for a special aid to help her with her school work. I know she does not need the extra attention but if she has an aid helping her throughout the day her potential will be realized, and they may be forced to more her to the next grade level. If this does not work enroll her in Summer school, this way they have no choice but to move her to the second grade when she completes her summer courses. To be honest this sounds like your goning to have to work the educational system to get it to work for your daughter. Good Luck if you need any more ideas email me at [e-mail]

Answer 10

I have been in this same position. I f you can not home school then you can only do what ever it is you are doing at home. If she loves to learn then no one will stop her. My daughter is six and she can read anything Newspapers, chapters books whatever she wants. The problem is there are only programs for kids who are LEFT BEHIND. The kids that are ahead and don't have the money for help just have to sit tight and wait for the others to catch up. Sad but true. I know in some schools there are teachers who will go above and beyond (See my daughter is right here and she notice I spelled beyond wrong and she corrected me. ) I just let her passion to learn take its own course. No one can stop them they have a gift that even a test can't pick up on. Surround your child with everything she needs and wants to know about and let her keep getting 100"S on everything until you figure out what to do!! When she gets older they will have more for her. Good Luck !I wish we could talk .I am in PA where are you guys???