Yesterday, DD9's teacher accused her of working too fast. This really upset DD, who told me that she's not trying to work fast at all. She just knows it already and finishes early. DD also told me that her teacher has repeatedly lectured the class on slowing down and not trying to be first, and DD always feels like it's directed at her. DD says she's tried to slow down, but she's still the first one done. She's not making mistakes or rushing, so I don't understand the problem, and I told DD not to change a thing. She's also a very well-behaved kid, so I'm sure her finishing early is not causing a problem in that way.

I think we're going to have to say something to the teacher. I hate to do this because I feel like I've been bugging her so much lately. Just yesterday I asked why they stopped ability grouping for reading (this really benefitted DD). We're also having issues with AR because DD is required to read 8-10 books this 9 weeks, but it takes her longer than a week to read a book on her level. Therefore, she's taking the easy route and reading 3rd grade level books in order to catch up. I'd rather her read half as many books as everyone else, as long as they were on her level (6.4).

I know I'm rambling here, but I just had to vent!

Sounds frustrating. Good luck with the 'chat.' Courage my friend!
Grinity

Try the chat in a matter-of-fact tone. Sometimes teachers in the early years just don't think beyond that grade level box. Last year DS had to read 10 books "one of which had to be a chapter book" to earn tickets to a local baseball team game. At the end of the time limit, DS only had 4 books on his list, but had read Harry Potter 6. I emailed the teacher saying something like "I hope you don't mind, but we are counting Harry Potter for the last 6 books, considering it's xxx pages long...I hope it counts as a "chapter book" (added for humor).

He got his baseball tickets.

The working too fast thing though just irritates me. Hopefully you can convince the teacher to talk to DD aside, and assure her this does NOT include her. Unfortunately some kids do work too fast, and miss stuff.

That's weird. I think I'd ask why it's a problem for this teacher that DD works fast. I can't imagine a valid reason, since DD is not a troublemaker in class, but maybe she has one we're not thinking of? At any rate, that's where I'd start.

I wish I could borrow some of that speed! DS6 is slower than molasses in a January blizzard! If the work is too easy or too hard, he moves even slower. Ugh. A little speed would be welcome!

Hang in there!

Thanks, Dottie. I don't know if they will bend on the reading thing, since it's the same standard across the grade level. It's worth a shot, though. She just doesn't need to be reading Judy Moody anymore, nor does she really want to.

You're right that some kids do work too fast and make mistakes. My DD6 is in that category. She's very careless. Yes, maybe I can convince the teacher to talk to DD. DD is very sensitive and probably thinks it's directed at her, but it may not be.

You may have hit the nail on the head right here!
Good Luck,
Grin

My son has/had the opposite tendency and often works too slowly for his teachers either out of boredom and daydreaming or putting too much thought into simplistic requirements (of the lower grades). He apparently works more efficiently at home because his work got done, so I understand your questioning the teacher’s opinion that this is even a problem.

Recently, DS has reported that his teacher has been making a point to mention that he has known many “gifted” people who turn out to be total losers as adults. DS also believes that these comments are directed towards him.

Hmm, is it possible that it’s not?

Hmm. Still pretty insensitive, regardless.

The rebel in me wants to reply "There are many elementary school teachers who are total losers, too." But I wouldn't do that, of course!

What an awful thing to say, even if it isn't directed at him! That would make me so mad.

Our daughter has had such a completely different experience at this same school with the same teachers. -Incidentally, I can imagine the administration turning this comment around to imply some “personality defect” in DS. I am more inclined to attribute it to a deficit of professional affect amongst (some) of the staff.
We are strongly considering a prep school beginning next year. We do need finacial aid for the tuition, but so far, they seem quite interested in DS.
Will the grass really be greener with a 32 mile drive to and from school?

I hope so, for your sake. Our girls were in private school for 4K, 5K, and our oldest also for 1st grade. We never had problems there, and I wish we could have stayed. The only reason we left was because of the financial strain it was putting on our family, even with financial aid. Now I wish we could afford to go back.

HA! Perfect answer, LOL!

I also find it odd that she's being told she works "too fast." If she's getting them right, not making careless mistakes and is well-behaved when she finishes, I don't see the problem.

Can you maybe ask if you can send a book for her to read when she's done? That might kill two birds with one stone -- get some reading in *and* satisfy the teacher that your dd has something to do when she's done. Maybe the teacher is just bothered by seeing her sitting there -- that might bother me if I were a teacher.



This is where my ds is -- he doesn't bother coloring in the "A is for Apple" sheets because they're dull. Therefore, he's not "trying". Well, sure he's not -- he's known that A is for Apple since he was 3! Not real interesting when you're approaching 6 and expected to "learn" it again. The teacher actually said that he couldn't be that gifted because he didn't want to do extra work during the free play/exploration time in the room. Well, sure -- he's still 5! And there's a marble run!

Anyway, pinkpanther, I'd see if maybe you can send in some enrichment material for your dd to do if she finishes early. Or see if there is enrichment material the teacher can provide through a GT teacher or *gasp* some research on her own. This must be really frustrating for both you and dd.

I am afraid to pursue private schools as well because it's such a stretch for us. I'm afraid they will love it and then at some point we will have to send them back to public, sounds too cruel to me!!!!!!!!

Delbows, maybe they will give you a gasoline subsidy as well?

Also, this year the teacher told me to have DD start reading more slowly, she reads too fast. I asked her why, there's no problem with her reading comprehension, why would she need to slow down.
Teacher said she reads so fast, none of the kids can follow as she reads aloud.
I told her to slow down when she reads aloud, continue to read as quickly as comfortable for her during silent reading.
It felt weird though, like telling me blonde hair is not acceptable, she should dye her hair brown or something.

I

Thanks, Mia. I have told her to read or work on something else when she's done, and that's what she's doing. She has an above grade level math workbook that she wanted me to buy for her that she keeps in her bag and works on at times. It's a mystery.

I understand your situation with your DS. My younger DD has always been like that, and she doesn't take the work seriously if she already knows how to do it. Fortunately, she has a teacher that understands this. I can't believe that your kid's teacher said he couldn't be gifted because he wants to play! That's such a laugh!

I'm in the camp that thinks maybe the teacher's comments weren't intended to be directed at your DD. I know my DD has had a lot of trouble with that over the years - she applies every criticism of the class and sometimes even of other specific kids to herself. Regardless, it's worth letting the teacher know how this affects your daughter.

Good Luck Delbows!!!
I hope the grass in greener!
Grin

Pinkpanther,

My DS9 rushes too, although he has sometimes made very careless mistakes in math. He tells me he does that so that he doesn't have homework and also because it's busy work that's dull and he wants to get it done. His teacher doesn't care if he rushes (he'll read when he's finished early) and I've asked him to take a little extra time to check his math (accuracy has improved). I don't like the idea of busy work and wasted time, but DS has emphatically said he wants to stay in this grade (5th) to the end of the year and not skip again until maybe freshman yr of HS (6th grade does mythology & middle ages--his favorite). Isn't it crazy to stay in a grade just for one class?

I agree with Kriston, what is so troublesome about going fast?

Ha Kriston - that's exactly what I was thinking. What a horribly insensitve thing to say!

And pink - I also wonder if your teacher can be directing that at another child or children? If you're daughter is working accurately, I don't see what the problem is? My DS every few weeks bring home a math worksheet that looks like he breezed through with several wrong. In that case - yep, slow done. Otherwise what's the problem.

A related story - My DS did some sort of standardized test yesterday and got done so early he brought home about completed 30 dot to dots. Guess he got done REALLY early.