we moved from hawaii to virginia where we came from the lower education standards to one of the best educational districs in the nation. my son did wonderful in kindergarten, had the best teacher and then in 1st grade his teacher was not the best. we also moved during the school year in december and he missed a whole month and a half of school ( year round school) and started back the middle of January. We are moving again in August to Georgia. I see his is struggling a bit, but I also feel that he will do okay in 2nd grade, but his teacher recommends he be held back in 1st grade. I'm stuck on what to do, I know the teacher has his best intersest in mind and sees how he does everyday in class, but since we are moving schools again, I'm not sure it's the best thing to do. Any comments would be great. Thank you!!
2007-04-26 00:33:30 · 16 answers · asked by what2do 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
one poster mentioned what he may be "struggling in". mostly his reading and math skills. we got him the hooked on phonics and his reading has really improved. so that's a plus. I'm not strong in math myself and it seems like elementary homework has gotten a lot harder since I was in grade school. But he really has imporved since we moved to Virginia and I think that over time he will do better. We are also a Military family and moving is mandatory for us, thank goodness we only have 4 year till retirement!! I thank everyone for the suggestions and imput, and I believe that if we just work extra hard over the summer, he will do fine!! Thank you! keep posting, every little bit helps!
2007-04-26 06:11:01 · update #1
It really depends on what areas he's struggling in. In general at his age and based on the content that they learn, I think he'll be fine but I would HIGHLY recommend that you work with him starting now and all through the summer. There are ways to do this without making him feel burnt out...but since you said he went to a year round school before, he's probably use to constant learning anyway! Get him some flash cards and work with him for at least 15 minutes EVERY DAY. Buy him educational videos that help with phonics and reading and sounding words....the Leap Frog products are also WONDERFUL learning tools. Almost all public libraries have Summer Reading programs....it would great to get him into one....they may be during the week or on a Saturday, you'll have to call to find out, but these are very beneficial!! My sister is a teacher and Literacy Coach for her school district....I asked her opinion while talking to her on the phone a few minutes ago and she says that unless they have a developmental delay, there's no need to hold him back before the 2nd grade....work work work with him right now...get him settle in the new school next fall, and then re-evaluate him through the year next year and IF he needs it, I'd hold him back next year...not this year. But also make his teacher aware at the beginning of the year next year and the two of you watch him very closely...and continue the exercises at home during the school year...and consider a tutor if he needs it!
Hang in there...he'll catch up!
2007-04-26 01:48:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a previous commenter mentioned, one thing you have going for you is that you are moving again -- therefore, if you do decide to hold him back, his peers will be none the wiser and so that eliminates at least the ruthless teasing that kids are capable of.
That said, even though none of the other kids will know if he's been held back, HE will know. And whether or not he feels like he's a failure depends a great deal on how you handle the situation. Regardless of how it's presented, kids still equate being held back with not being smart enough ... not the best self-image to have.
I'd be inclined to go the summer tutoring route, myself, just from what you've told us. But you do need to trust your own feelings about this, after taking a careful look at all of the alternatives, because no one knows your son like you do -- including the teachers. That's really the bottom line.
2007-04-26 01:15:14 · answer #2 · answered by Clare † 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about some tutoring over summer? Or there are a lot of web sites for practice on the internet.Figure out his weaknesses and give him his own 'homework' with rewards. No child wants to be held back. It's hard enough just moving.
When you sign him up in the Georgia school, let them know about his struggling and they will give him a little extra attention and help him catch up. Work with the teachers closely and he should be able to get up to speed. :)
2007-04-26 00:44:36 · answer #3 · answered by nosycap9 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Once you've moved, request that the new school system test him; the federal laws require that every child will receive an appropriate education, and, in order to receive such an education, your child should be tested to determine what that education should be.
Once the test results are available, you will sit down with the schools ARD committee and determine which route to take, this time with the requisite information.
Remember that your child is growing and changing throughout his school years, and that his skills and knowledge levels are also changing. Having the most up-to-date information will help you make the best decisions; keep requesting these evaluations until you are satisfied that you have that information, and then make your decisions.
2007-04-26 01:38:46 · answer #4 · answered by MomBear 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You'd have to define "struggling", because from what you've written, he WOULD be struggling with many things, being moved around so often. Children need a sense of stability / security. What is his teacher basing her recommendations on?
If he's not failing everything, I wouldn't recommend holding him back - but I would recommend you spend some quality time working on his academic skills over the summer, and do it in a fun way.
2007-04-26 05:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by Romans 8:28 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No child that young should be told that he is a failure...and that is exactly what would be happening if he is held back.
Instead, get proactive in your child's education...start spending time with him each day and going over his schoolwork with him. Sometimes all it takes is "opening his eyes" on one issue that he is stuck on, to get him excited about doing well.
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to do this, why not consider hiring a tutor so your son can get a good grounding in the basics? I am sure that any area you live in must have a few retired primary teachers that wouldn't mind earning a few extra dollars tutoring your son until he understands his work. You can even try asking if anyone in your son's school has any ex-teachers on call that could do this.
I repeat again...no 6 year old needs to be given the message that he is too stupid to keep up with his classmates...it just sets him up for a lifetime of failure.
2007-04-26 00:44:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anastasia 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Honestly, the fact that you are moving and he is already struggling, holding him back would probably be the best thing for him. Then when he starts first grade in Georgia, it will be a fresh start, none of his classmates will tease him, because they won't know he was held back, and hopefully you can stay put until the end of this year so he has a chance to catch up and move on the 2nd grade next year. He's only 6 and if he's already having trouble, I wouldn't want to compound that by sending him on to a harder grade (which could really discourage him as far as school goes) and moving at the same time. If it was me, I would hold him back a year.
2007-04-26 00:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Get him some extra instruction over the summer months and let him start 2nd grade. You have to take in account the stress the moves have on him and making of new friends etc. along with the curriculum..He's only 6 so it's probably very stressful getting used to all that new stuff.
2007-04-26 00:38:49 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Holding back a child should only be used as a last resort. You have to keep in mind the later affects this will have on the child's social development.
I was held back and really had trouble relating due to being the oldest in my classes. I was also bored with my lessons because they ended up being too easy.
I personally would wait until you at least did the final change of schools before making a decision. It might be possible that the curriculum will be easier at the next school and it will become unnecessary to hold him back.
2007-04-26 00:37:35 · answer #9 · answered by The Eight Ball 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have just had my grand daughter move in with us, who happens to be 6 and she was moved from one school district to another one. I at first thought that she was going to have a hard time but we have worked as a team with the school and she has progressed real fine. It takes allot of adjusting for a 6 year old that leaves friends behind and has to make new ones. So we have spent time with her and she has been able to meet more friends. I would not hold your son back but I would work with him so he would feel more comfortable when he gets to his new school. This way he will be able to make new friends and you will be able to help him with his studies at home to have him ready for second grade. Good Luck and Bless
2007-04-26 00:45:20 · answer #10 · answered by lonehermit2000 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋