So, I decided to write this as a follow up, as I really now have even more questions than before since meeting with the teacher. So, it seems that wether she is on level for 1st grade is really not so much the question! But the pace of the class and the fact that there are so many academically high kids in there. So let me explain, because it is a bit complicated!
My daughter is basically in a 1st grade dual language class, where they spend half the day in English and half the day in Spanish. And everything (reading, writing, math, science, etc.) is being taught in spanish and english throughout the day! This is her first year in this program. And the students for this program were very carefully selected and had to meet a certain criteria. They needed to be at a rigby 8 (which is bascially like a mid 1st grade level) in order to be able to participate. She was exactly at a level 8 in August.
So the teacher is telling me that what she thinks the problem really is, is more the pace of the class and the instruction itself, that is advanced. In other words, my very young 6 year old, that should be in Kindergarten is practically in a 1st grade gifted classroom. So for example, she has harder spelling words than the other 1st grade classes. With math, she told me that it is the same curriculum, but that she just goes at a faster pace. So for example, where as a regular 1st grade class may take 3 weeks to go over a chapter, she may be doing it in 2 weeks.
So, she has told me that she needs to see where she is going to be from here until the end of the year, but that as of now she does not think that she would recommend her to go on to the dual language program for 2nd next year based on her difficulties keeping up now.
So I think this kind of answers a lot of questions for me, but at the same time I am more confused then ever. Obviously, would I have put her in the K dual language program (which again, by her age is where she should have been) vs.1st, although the pace is probably the same, the material itself is not as difficult obviously. So after meeting with the teacher and hearing her out, I think there are several things compounding the situation here a) that she is very young and possibly wasn't developmentally ready to handle some aspects of 1st grade, b) That she sees that she is at the bottom of her class in comparison to her abilities and therefore it is hurting her self esteem, self confidence etc. and c) that since she is being instructed in 2 languages, that in itself can be challenging enough.
So basically by the end of the year, I would have to decide to move her on to a regular 2nd grade class where the pace would be slower or just let her do 1st again (with her same aged peers) and stay in the dual language program. I would hate to give up the opportunity of the dual language program as this for so many reasons, is such a great thing! However, is it really reasonable to retain her, when they are telling me that she is technically on grade level. On top of everything, the spanish teacher told me that she is doing really well with the reading in spanish and that when she assessed them today, she was one of her highest readers in spanish! I am so confused! and I honestly I just want to do the right thing for my child!
Yes- I did know that she was in a dual language program- that is why I was back and forth so much with what grade to put her in, because I knew that a) she wouldn't be with her same aged peers and b) it would be a challenging class already to begin with! I just didn't want to include all that in my original post, and obviously now I realize I should have- as that makes a very big difference!
Why can't she be placed in a non honors first grade for the rest of the year?
And next year reevaluate her progress.
It really sounds like with a bit more help, she us actually doing pretty well.
I would just continue to help her and maybe consider a tutor.
First, I've gotta be honest-- you did a lot of beating your breast and wailing in your last post about how this whole 'too advanced' class for your daughter is destroying you....
.... and now you are considering doing the same thing next year?
Please don't. I don't know how your daughter is knowing where she is in the class standings, because I don't know any Grade 1 teachers who would feel it is appropriate to share that information. But I will say that based on the emotional mess I read on this topic a few days ago, you need to dial it down to what is *reasonable*. If your daughter isn't thriving (and if you have the teacher's claims to come to this conclusion) in an advanced class, put her in the non-accelerated class. If it's destroying her self esteem, as you are claiming, why would you do it to her a second time?
I think you are making this a heck of a lot harder and more emotional than it needs to be. Maybe you should talk with the school counselor or get private counseling if this is really causing you all this turmoil. I'm not saying that to be mean, but it sounds like you want to make a 100% foolproof choice and I don't think that a bunch of us who don't know you and are only getting partial information can be the best of advisers.
Let me tell you a story, my older daughter was accepted into one of the top all girls school in our city. You must have straight As or a darn good reason for a B and score at least 95 percentile on your standardized test. There were 147 girls in her class, number 147 graduated with a 3.2. To get in you already had to be the best of the best and obviously the bottom of the class was still above most in other schools.
Don't you think it would have been pretty ridiculous if number 147's mom had said well she is at the bottom of the class so I would like her to repeat her freshman year so she can be in the middle?
There were 152 accepted, five transferred to easier schools after their freshman year.
My point is you don't hold a kid back because they cannot handle an accelerated class and there is no shame is being at the bottom. I just used high school because it is easier to see.
You wanted to throw in the towel last week. You were both overwhelmed.
Now you have more information and want her to continue the overwhelming pace. Facts are, your family's dynamic is not cut out for the high stakes of doing this kind of program. There will be other opportunities to succeed at different things in her school career. Please don't continue this kind of pressure.
Regular second grade. Let her enjoy school. There be other chances for the Spanish.
i'm a bit confused.
you didn't know that she was in a class structured this way?
and i don't understand why you would consider having her repeat a class that's not suited to her rather than let her move to one that's moving at her pace.
she'll still get to learn spanish, right?
khairete
S.
I don't understand why you're confused, and I really don't understand why you haven't agreed to move your daughter down to kindergarten where she wouldn't be overwhelmed and learning appropriate material. Do NOT keep her in a 1st grade class where she's already floundering in order to keep her there again next year. She hasn't even mastered the kindergarten year yet, which you stated would be challenging for her.
Very complex, but my vote would be to retain her. Keep her bilingual and she'll still be challenged. Then from now on you can kindof relax knowing she is right on target and things will get easier. I would explain it to her you like you did here- you're really too young, even though you are so smart this class is so hard because it's in two languages, it will be easier next year, and then relax and let her relax. Maybe start making playdates with kids from the younger class. Although, if she suddenly makes a leap ahead you may change your mind and keep her moving ahead (that's actually what happened to me when I thought I would retain my child in K)
IMHO, you should let her advance to a regular 2nd grade class so she can experience some educational success and recover her self-confident and self-esteem.
Can you ask the teacher for the assignments in advance? That way you can work on the subject at home then when the teacher gets to that lesson she already has some understanding. I went to an educational forum they called this front loading I think. They said you only have to work on it about ten minutes a day. It is a very helpful technique for kids who are struggling.
My son is in the second grade dual language program and he is one of the oldest in his class. We put him in the Spanish class because we knew he needed to be challenged, since he is a Sept. baby and the cut off here is Sept. 1st. Our program sounds very similar to yours. I could see how easily he could fall behind if he was one of the youngest in the class. I would continue the year where she is and then see if they still recommend repeating 1st grade. I think I would still have her stay in Spanish, since the benefits of dual language on long-term brain development are extremely positive. If she's at her proper level, she will excel. It's such a hard decision. I struggled with the same thing when my son was in pre-k. I was thinking about moving him up to 1st and skipping K. Your daughter will be fine either way. You might also do a little research about dual language and the fact that some kids do have slightly lower scores (compared to all English classes) in reading and math for the first few years until they really excel in later years. I found that interesting and it might be something to keep in mind as you make your decision. Since 1st grade is her first time in Spanish, she might be just fine by next year.
Too bad you couldn't have thought this out prior to the end of the first half. It would have been easier to put her in another class at a pace she could handle.
My son was in a French immersion class with kids where spoke French at home and ran into trouble because we didn't speak French at home. He was placed in another class for non speaking French homes and thrived.
You must do what is best for your child and not what you may or might have wanted. If your child shows an interest in learning more perhaps she can go back at a different grade. School is all about learning how to learn. We all learn something everyday I hope even as an adult.
She will not ruined she is only at the beginning of her schooling career. Find a happy medium and go from there. Let her take accelerated classes later after she has the basics down pat.
the other S.
PS Find an after school program that will help her with learning Spanish or French, German or Chinese.
When do you need to make a choice by? August? I would see where she is at the end of the year and how she feels about dual language. My DD is in a similar type class and I'm not sure if we'll keep her in, either, but that is more if she gets into another program or not. If my choice was 2nd grade or repeat 1st in dual language, I'd move her on in a regular 2nd, all other abilities being on level.
so the english teacher tells you that your daughter possibly wasn't developmentally ready in areas. then the spanish teacher tells you your daughter is one of her highest readers in spanish.
teachers don't always know whats best for our kids, it's a guess & gamble. you took the gamble and your daughter is suffering, and you too. do what's best for her.
